The last leg of my trip was a quick stop in Amsterdam. I had a long, 6 hour layover there, so I contacted my friend Bill Jorgensen, who was in my Danish class many years ago.
Bill and Ponos met me at the airport at a very early 7:30 am and we went directly to Amsterdam central. After a good 'English' breakfast we were off to see the Van Sough museum. We had a lovely time in the museum and got to see so many really famous paintings. I have been to Amsterdam many times in the past, but I had never been to this museum. It is a must if you go.
There was a problem with the trains, so we couldn't take too much time for touring and I didn't get a lot of pictures. After the museum, it was back to the airport and I picked up some last minute postcards. I have been sending Grandma a postcard about every 4 days, so I had to get it done in Amsterdam as well.
The flight was LONG but uneventful. Thank goodness for the individual movie screens and the choice of many movies and tv shows to keep me from too much boredom! I just wonder why it took about an hour more to fly home from Amsterdam than it did to fly there? Hmm! It was 1 hour extra I had to sit by the very smelly bathroom.
I want to once again thank everyone I visited for their hospitality. I had a wonderful time and really miss you all! Please come and visit me soon! It was wonderful to see everyone and I enjoyed seeing all the kids! That was the best part of my trip. I got to see everyone again. It is too long between visits!
I hope everyone enjoyed following along. I will be back to work on Monday, darn!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Last Days in Denmark
I have been so busy these last days since returning to Copenhagen, I just haven't had time to update. I hope that everyone has been following along and enjoying the trip!
I returned to Copenhagen on Thursday afternoon and just relaxed the day away. Friday, the touring began again!
Camilla and I started the day at the Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed walking through the many exhibits in the conservatory there. I had fun seeing some things similar to the Como Zoo and some things that were different. We did a little shopping afterward and met Amalie, Camilla's younger sister for a bit more shopping in Roskilde. (It was more 'gift' shopping than real shopping!) We then headed out to their dad's place in the country for dinner. Carsten, Camilla's dad, his wife, Anne, Grandmother, Birgit and her friend were all there to meet us. We had a wonderful dinner and evening.
Friday started off early, because I headed back to Sweden for just a few hours. I have a 5 day Eurail pass, but the train conductors haven't been marking it, so I had a few extra days on the pass. I still have only 2 days used on my pass, but I took 7 days of trips! I really got my money's worth on that pass. Anyway, I went back to Malmo for some Skogaholmslimpa. I was very successful in my search. I brought my then empty blue duffel bag with me and came back with a lot of limpa! Customs is going to wonder about me!!! Teri will enjoy it though and my freezer can hold most of it.
Once I got back with my now, 27 pound bag, Camilla and I went in search of Smørrebrød, which we found, after walking about 3 miles. I love Smørrebrød. It is a traditional Danish sandwich. They are as beautiful as they are good.
If the 5 miles I walked between the trainstations in Copenhagen and Malmo weren't enough, I finally got to do a little more. Camilla and I were off after our lunch to the Vor Frelser Kirke to hike up the tower of 400 steps. My sister Teri has wanted to do this for the past 5 trips to Denmark and has always been unsuccessful. I was able to do it. Well, we missed about the last 10 steps, since the stairs were so narrow (about 12 inches wide) and only about 3 feet of head room. ´We made it as far as our size would allow anyway. After this hike, my feet are officially done walking and I was tired of stairs, but Europe doesn't agree. I think that my planned trip to NY and the Statue of Liberty will now be a breeze!!There are stairs EVERYWHERE!!!!
We made it home for a quick dinner and off to see Harry Potter. (Yes, there was more walking, and stairs involved.
Today, Camilla's grandparents picked us up and we did a bit more castle touring. We visited Fredericksborg castle, which was pretty amazing. We also had a walk by of the Fredenborg castle where the Crown Prince lives (He will be the next King).
I am getting all my packing done now. I came with 2 suitcases. One with my clothes and one just with gifts. They each weighed in at 42 & 48 pounds each. I thought I would be back to one suitcase, but no, I have 2. My suitcases is full of limpa and only the bag with the limpa weighs over 40 lbs, which is now in my big suitcase. I put my clothes in the duffel and the clothes only weigh about 25 pounds. Hmm, where did all that weight go? Scrapbooks and red cups, for sure!!!
I will be having a 6 hour lay over in Amsterdam on my way home, so my friend Bill will be picking me up at the airport tomorrow, for a short visit. I will do that last update about that time when I get home.
I hope everyone has enjoyed following along and seeing the pictures. I will see those of you in Minneapolis, soon!
Thank you to all my hosts. It has been great seeing everyone and enjoying their wonderful hospitality. I want everyone to come and see me soon! It is too long between visits.
I returned to Copenhagen on Thursday afternoon and just relaxed the day away. Friday, the touring began again!
Camilla and I started the day at the Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed walking through the many exhibits in the conservatory there. I had fun seeing some things similar to the Como Zoo and some things that were different. We did a little shopping afterward and met Amalie, Camilla's younger sister for a bit more shopping in Roskilde. (It was more 'gift' shopping than real shopping!) We then headed out to their dad's place in the country for dinner. Carsten, Camilla's dad, his wife, Anne, Grandmother, Birgit and her friend were all there to meet us. We had a wonderful dinner and evening.
Friday started off early, because I headed back to Sweden for just a few hours. I have a 5 day Eurail pass, but the train conductors haven't been marking it, so I had a few extra days on the pass. I still have only 2 days used on my pass, but I took 7 days of trips! I really got my money's worth on that pass. Anyway, I went back to Malmo for some Skogaholmslimpa. I was very successful in my search. I brought my then empty blue duffel bag with me and came back with a lot of limpa! Customs is going to wonder about me!!! Teri will enjoy it though and my freezer can hold most of it.
Once I got back with my now, 27 pound bag, Camilla and I went in search of Smørrebrød, which we found, after walking about 3 miles. I love Smørrebrød. It is a traditional Danish sandwich. They are as beautiful as they are good.
If the 5 miles I walked between the trainstations in Copenhagen and Malmo weren't enough, I finally got to do a little more. Camilla and I were off after our lunch to the Vor Frelser Kirke to hike up the tower of 400 steps. My sister Teri has wanted to do this for the past 5 trips to Denmark and has always been unsuccessful. I was able to do it. Well, we missed about the last 10 steps, since the stairs were so narrow (about 12 inches wide) and only about 3 feet of head room. ´We made it as far as our size would allow anyway. After this hike, my feet are officially done walking and I was tired of stairs, but Europe doesn't agree. I think that my planned trip to NY and the Statue of Liberty will now be a breeze!!There are stairs EVERYWHERE!!!!
We made it home for a quick dinner and off to see Harry Potter. (Yes, there was more walking, and stairs involved.
Today, Camilla's grandparents picked us up and we did a bit more castle touring. We visited Fredericksborg castle, which was pretty amazing. We also had a walk by of the Fredenborg castle where the Crown Prince lives (He will be the next King).
I am getting all my packing done now. I came with 2 suitcases. One with my clothes and one just with gifts. They each weighed in at 42 & 48 pounds each. I thought I would be back to one suitcase, but no, I have 2. My suitcases is full of limpa and only the bag with the limpa weighs over 40 lbs, which is now in my big suitcase. I put my clothes in the duffel and the clothes only weigh about 25 pounds. Hmm, where did all that weight go? Scrapbooks and red cups, for sure!!!
I will be having a 6 hour lay over in Amsterdam on my way home, so my friend Bill will be picking me up at the airport tomorrow, for a short visit. I will do that last update about that time when I get home.
I hope everyone has enjoyed following along and seeing the pictures. I will see those of you in Minneapolis, soon!
Thank you to all my hosts. It has been great seeing everyone and enjoying their wonderful hospitality. I want everyone to come and see me soon! It is too long between visits.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Trip to the West Coast
Time is starting to run out here in Denmark. Only 5 days remain of my trip. The time has gone by so fast.
On Sunday, Ane Marie, Michael, Kristian and Johan took me to the nature area in Odense where we took a boat to the city center. The Odense Å (a canal really) was a fun little trip into the cit where we strolled and looked around. We enjoyed the afternoon just relaxing and strolling. There of course were the swans in the canal and fun swan boats to be rented as well. I can see why HC Andersen wrote about them in his fairy tales. For those who don't know, Hans Christian Andersen is from Odense. I didn't go see his house this time, since I was there before. Maybe if I get ambitious, I will get the pictures up from the last visit. Preben still has them on the computer.
Monday was a more relaxing day. Michael, Kristian and I walked over to the Rosengard Center and did a little window shopping. Nope, I didn't buy anything there. Scary, I went shopping, I know!
Today was another adventure day. Preben suggested we drive to the West Coast of Denmark, which is on the mainland. It is only about 2 hours from Odense. I have never been there before, so this was a new adventure for me. Preben told me that if you haven't been to the West Coast, you haven't seen Denmark. I don't know about that, but I was glad we went.
It has finally gotten to be a perfect day and we drove west. We arrived in Blåvand, which is a cute little coast town that I can say, you must see! (Barb, this is where you will want to go for several days). It was a bit windy and we climbed to the top of the lighthouse. Only 150 steps, but it is getting me in shape for the Statue of Liberty! From the top, we would see in the far distance the windmills that are in the sea and ships sailing off to England. Below us on the beach, were ruins of WWII German bunkers that were built to keep a watchful eye out for the British. They made a nice viewing spot for the beach. Apparently, this is still a place for Germans to visit. It was a very crowded little town and once again, I found myself pulled into a Pilgram store.
That is about it for now. I will continue for a few more days, before heading home. I hope that you are enjoying my adventures and the pictures.
On Sunday, Ane Marie, Michael, Kristian and Johan took me to the nature area in Odense where we took a boat to the city center. The Odense Å (a canal really) was a fun little trip into the cit where we strolled and looked around. We enjoyed the afternoon just relaxing and strolling. There of course were the swans in the canal and fun swan boats to be rented as well. I can see why HC Andersen wrote about them in his fairy tales. For those who don't know, Hans Christian Andersen is from Odense. I didn't go see his house this time, since I was there before. Maybe if I get ambitious, I will get the pictures up from the last visit. Preben still has them on the computer.
Monday was a more relaxing day. Michael, Kristian and I walked over to the Rosengard Center and did a little window shopping. Nope, I didn't buy anything there. Scary, I went shopping, I know!
Today was another adventure day. Preben suggested we drive to the West Coast of Denmark, which is on the mainland. It is only about 2 hours from Odense. I have never been there before, so this was a new adventure for me. Preben told me that if you haven't been to the West Coast, you haven't seen Denmark. I don't know about that, but I was glad we went.
It has finally gotten to be a perfect day and we drove west. We arrived in Blåvand, which is a cute little coast town that I can say, you must see! (Barb, this is where you will want to go for several days). It was a bit windy and we climbed to the top of the lighthouse. Only 150 steps, but it is getting me in shape for the Statue of Liberty! From the top, we would see in the far distance the windmills that are in the sea and ships sailing off to England. Below us on the beach, were ruins of WWII German bunkers that were built to keep a watchful eye out for the British. They made a nice viewing spot for the beach. Apparently, this is still a place for Germans to visit. It was a very crowded little town and once again, I found myself pulled into a Pilgram store.
That is about it for now. I will continue for a few more days, before heading home. I hope that you are enjoying my adventures and the pictures.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Egeskov
Well, it was back to touring today, with the entire family. My 'cousin' Preben and his wife, son's, daughter-in-law and grandson. We had a great day. The weather was perfect, for a while. We toured the grounds of Egeskov and then had a nice picnic. Afterwards, Micheal, Ane Marie and I took a tour of the inside of the castle. It was very interesting to see and very well preserved. Check out the pictures. The doll house was the most amazing one I have ever seen. It was about 20 feet square and 6 feet tall.
After our tour, we checked out the museums and the other areas, but got caught in the rain and headed home. We are having a relaxing evening now.
After our tour, we checked out the museums and the other areas, but got caught in the rain and headed home. We are having a relaxing evening now.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tivoli pictures
I have gotten the Tivoli pictures uploaded now and the Roskilde pictures too.
Did you know, that you can click on either the pictures or the link: Gail's pictures to see the bigger photos?
I am currently in Odense, relaxing with Preben and watching the Tour de France. I don't know anything about the Tour, but it is nice to relax and do laundry. Tomorrow, my touring begins again!
Did you know, that you can click on either the pictures or the link: Gail's pictures to see the bigger photos?
I am currently in Odense, relaxing with Preben and watching the Tour de France. I don't know anything about the Tour, but it is nice to relax and do laundry. Tomorrow, my touring begins again!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Copenhagen
Well, the trip is starting to wind down. I have arrived in Denmark and have been touring for days. We arrived, late, on Tuesday and settled in at Camilla's apartment, about 15 blocks from the main train station. After a little rest, it was off to walk around Copenhagen. My feet are sore, and I wore the correct shoes this time.
On Wednesday, we were off again for our walk around Copenhagen. We walked up the Round Tower for a view of the city, then it was off to Nyhavn for a canal tour. We toured all around the harbor area and saw of course, the Little Mermaid. This time I saw if from the water side. I think I got a few good shots of it. Yes, it is that small! After our canal tour, we lunched in Nyhavn. I tried to get Barb to have the traditional Danish sandwich, Smørbror, but it was not to be.
In the evening, we went to Tivoli for the evening show and waited for the lights to come on. I will get those pictures on later. I use the computer time too much. I will try to get those on tomorrow.
Today, we headed over to Røskilde for Lykke's birthday (Lykke is Camilla's mom) We managed to get there early, so we stopped by for a tour of the Røskilde church, where all the Kings and Queens get buried. It is a beautiful church. In past trips, we have tried to get in, but have been unsuccessful, Today, we did. Then, we were off to lunch at Lykke's and ate the entire afternoon.
Barb is leaving to go home to Atlanta tomorrow and I will go to Odense for a few days. I will be visiting with Preben and family.
So, that is all for today. I am off to pack again!
On Wednesday, we were off again for our walk around Copenhagen. We walked up the Round Tower for a view of the city, then it was off to Nyhavn for a canal tour. We toured all around the harbor area and saw of course, the Little Mermaid. This time I saw if from the water side. I think I got a few good shots of it. Yes, it is that small! After our canal tour, we lunched in Nyhavn. I tried to get Barb to have the traditional Danish sandwich, Smørbror, but it was not to be.
In the evening, we went to Tivoli for the evening show and waited for the lights to come on. I will get those pictures on later. I use the computer time too much. I will try to get those on tomorrow.
Today, we headed over to Røskilde for Lykke's birthday (Lykke is Camilla's mom) We managed to get there early, so we stopped by for a tour of the Røskilde church, where all the Kings and Queens get buried. It is a beautiful church. In past trips, we have tried to get in, but have been unsuccessful, Today, we did. Then, we were off to lunch at Lykke's and ate the entire afternoon.
Barb is leaving to go home to Atlanta tomorrow and I will go to Odense for a few days. I will be visiting with Preben and family.
So, that is all for today. I am off to pack again!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Last Days on Öland
My last days in Sweden are coming to an end. Yesterday, we took a quick road trip to Kosta Boda glass works. We saw the glass blowing and did a lot of shopping. Of course, I wanted to find a pitcher that matches my glassware I already have, but I could not find the tulip pattern in a pitcher. Actually, I found only 1 pitcher and I didn't like it, but I sure managed to find other things I find. Since it is heavy and I don't want to carry anything more, I sent it home. I also found something for Donna, who will be 50 in a few short weeks. Donna, keep your eyes open for a package!!! Oh, Happy Birthday, early.
Today, after spending all my money at Kosta Boda, we drove to Eketrop, which is on the south, east side of the island. Eketrop is a medieval fort that was later taken over by the Vikings. As usual, Mimmi and I, along with Alice, took the traditional hat photo. Of course, I do this, mostly with the kids, everywhere I go.
On this same trip, we went off road to a lighthouse. We don't have 4 wheel drive, so it was a big adventure. The lighthouse turned out to be private property, so we never made it there, but stopped by the sea shore and took pictures of the many swans that were there. It is the Baltic Sea. The water smelled real bad and we kind of red in color. I think there was something blooming that made it that way. It was also super windy. I guess it is always like that too.
Tomorrow we hop the train for Copenhagen and Camilla. So, next update will be Denmark. So, this is good-bye from Sweden. We have had a wonderful time with both Laudon-Meyer and Nilsson Families. Thank you all for your hospitality! I can't wait to come again.
Today, after spending all my money at Kosta Boda, we drove to Eketrop, which is on the south, east side of the island. Eketrop is a medieval fort that was later taken over by the Vikings. As usual, Mimmi and I, along with Alice, took the traditional hat photo. Of course, I do this, mostly with the kids, everywhere I go.
On this same trip, we went off road to a lighthouse. We don't have 4 wheel drive, so it was a big adventure. The lighthouse turned out to be private property, so we never made it there, but stopped by the sea shore and took pictures of the many swans that were there. It is the Baltic Sea. The water smelled real bad and we kind of red in color. I think there was something blooming that made it that way. It was also super windy. I guess it is always like that too.
Tomorrow we hop the train for Copenhagen and Camilla. So, next update will be Denmark. So, this is good-bye from Sweden. We have had a wonderful time with both Laudon-Meyer and Nilsson Families. Thank you all for your hospitality! I can't wait to come again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)