Return the car! Ha ha

After breakfast we checked out of the hotel and props to the property. The woman at reception gave me two passes, shhh, for public transport for the time we’re here and took care of the parking tickets! Apparently there is no free parking in Stockholm and no one told us where to park when we checked in…and they knew we had a car.  Now get out there!

Our morning view was pretty spectacular and then the dive over to drop off the car, pretty,  huh?

First stop was everyone’s recommendation, Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum and zoo. It has a zoological garden specializing in Nordic fauna, such as moose, reindeer, bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. It features over 150 historic buildings from previous centuries, from all parts of Sweden. 

Here’s the thing, we liked it, but being winter, there wasn’t much happening. One of their big things is people walking around in traditional clothing giving talks and performing every day life, we found one.  It boasted stories and shows, etc. I think in the spring and summer, it would be a lot of fun. 

We did find several of the Nordic animals but the bears, wolves and reindeer were harder to find. Maybe we’ll just have to come back, hmm..

Next stop, canal or under bridges boat tour, yes? Great! Let’s go to the Grand Hotel, that’s where we pick up the tour.

Two tickets please, yes? No. Just missed the last boat, not to worry tomorrow morning it starts all over again! What ever will we do now?

Why…Let’s go to the Grand Hotel and have a spot of tea and figure out our next move. Sounds good to me! 

Not only did we have tea, we had high tea! I love high tea and it’s been ages since either of us have had high tea. Apparently, this is something you need to order in advance, some people reserved up to four months ago! [“But let me see what I can do” said our waiter”]. Guess what happened next?!

First…they had decaf coffee so you know PSM was in heaven! It is one of the hardest things to find outside of the US. I jumped in and had their special house blend, so good, I even bought a tin!

So…if you haven’t had high tea before, do you think you could ever get full from for teeny [barely even quarter] sandwiches, two scones and four teeny cookie like desserts? The answer is YES! 

We started with, well PSM going into a dreamlike state after his first sip of coffee, then when his feet came back down, we started with the sandwiches, my favorite thing on that level, whipped chevre with honey,  oh my gawd!!

With the scones we had lemon curd, plum jam, sweet cream cheese and not so sweet whipped cream. The whipped cream helped to cancel some of the sweetness of the other toppings, I didn’t need that too much, ha ha.

By the time we got to the desserts, we were just about done! There is no way we could do that every day! 

What a fun and new experience we had together!  Although, we are so stuffed, we may never eat again! We need to walk this off !!
Where to? Next stop…the Moderna Museet.

We were both excited about seeing this museum, we both enjoy modern art and almost all of what we saw was amazing! 

There were sculptures and paintings by Picasso, Munch, Leger, Gris, just to name a few. 

Duchamp, Rosenquist, Oldenburg, Lichtenstein, Matisse.

There were artists and pieces we recognized. There was modern, expressionism, surrealism and then there were pieces like this. Yup…

Another one of the free exhibits was on architecture, from arrival to moving, infrastructure, set up.  What makes a house a home?

I found the statistics video fascinating. 

Let’s head back to the hotel, check in, get settled in and see what comes next. 

We are in the room,  we’ve gone to the executive lounge, had some treats and now we’re just enjoying the view, the lights, the sounds outside and sitting, we are enjoying sitting! 

What adventures await us tomorrow? I can’t wait to find out! I’ll keep you posted!

I was tempted to sing “Hello Sweden my old friend” [I hope some of you got that!]

We got up, ready for the next adventure! Breakfast and a stroll around the town of Ystad, where we stayed last night and knew nothing about! The town was just waking up so we let it slumber a bit more, we had places to be!

In the car and on the road, we had one immediate destination, the town of Kaseberga, a cute little artist community that was recommended by the guy we met on the Metro.

Along the way we stopped at a beach and as everyone knows, a cold day on the beach in Sweden is better than any day in the office! 

We finally made it to Kaseberga and we believe in the summer it’s a very cute artist community. Alas, in the winter…not so much! Two restaurants would be open for the day. um…

Back in three car for the next six hours. Ok, in retrospect, diving to Sweden sound a lot more exciting and romantic than it was. If we had more time, we could and would have stopped a free more places and the bridge was not as exciting as we thought it would be, well to be fair, it was after dark and we couldn’t see much. 

But it was an experience! This is the second time we’ve driven between two countries in Europe, wonder what countries will be next?

We arrived in Stockholm, arranged our hotels and settled in for the night. A nice dinner, art exhibition and a great view , what could be better? We’re in Sweden!

Lots to see over the next three days! can’t wait!

That means, goodbye Copenhagen… hello…tell you at the end of  the post.

Today was our last day in Denmark and we’re going to make the most of it! Crown jewels, busts, portraits, statues and more, oh my!

On our walk to our first stop, the Crown jewels! Along the way we stopped to ooh and ahh and realized that PSM had been having a ball on this trip! Ha ha, see how I did that?

Rosenborg Castle (Danish: Rosenborg Slot) is a renaissance castle located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606.
I have a feeling that the armed guards at the castle were about 12, you’d probably agree if you had seen them!

Here’s the interesting thing I found out about these beautiful gardens… The gardens were something to behold at one time but since it was incredibly expensive to maintain, it fell into disrepair. In 1785 the orangey was elevated with a new story, remodeled as barracks for the Royal Guards and the garden turned into a drill ground. Cool, huh?

.

We walked into the castle on the first level and began the tour. Oh my these royals liked to look at themselves! Busts, portraits, mirrors, oh my! And even…wait for it..a royal throne! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!

The next two levels, medals, some jewelry, chandeliers, time keepers, dishes. 

Now…we go to the treasure for some weapons, wine and crown jewels. Sounds good to me! There was a lot to see, interesting and ornate, the gun collection was a gift from President Lincoln, cool, huh?

We worked up quite the appetite and decided on Cafe Pauldan. We think we were in the university district, a lot of people studying and it seemed they built the restaurant in a bookstore, so cool! I was in heaven…grilled goat cheese sandwich! O M G!!!

Now we are off to the NY  Carlsberg Glyptotek, it’s next to Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world. Too bad it doesn’t open until next week, oh well. 

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Glypto-, from the Greek root glyphein, to carve and theke, a storing-place) is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The collection is built around the personal collection of Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.

It was amazing the number of marble statues, it’s the largest private collection in the world. Amazing the way each statue was lit, elicited so many emotions.

There were statues, busts, paintings, frescos  just breathtaking. 

One of my favorite exhibits was Edgar Degas. The museum’s collection includes ALL the bronze sculptures of Degas, including the series of dancers. There are pieces all over the world, but here was he entire collection, can you believe it!? Aren’t they just breathtaking?

We ended with Greek, Egyptian and Roman. I’m still awestruck!

We left the museum, went to the hotel to pick up our bags, off to the airport to pick up a car and said Farvel København and Hallå Sverige! Hello Sweden! 

The Øresund/Öresund/Oresund Bridge (Danish: Øresundsbroen Swedish: Öresundsbron, hybrid name: Øresundsbron) is a combined railway and motorway bridge across the Øresund strait between Sweden and Denmark. 
We stopped in a town called Ystad and at the oldest hotel in Sweden, cool, huh?

I think that’s pretty good adventure for one day! Who knows what tomorrow holds, I’ll keep you posted!

I almost wanted to say “we’re hunting wabbits”.

Monday in Copenhagen seems like a slow day. A lot of the museums and other attractions are closed, but fear not friends…we prevailed and found things to do! I know you’re surprised! Just walking to figure out our next move is beautiful!

We found ourselves at the Royal Residences. When the flag is out on A palace, that means it’s primary residence is occupied. The Crown Prince is in residence, mummie, or The Queen out, too bad, I was hoping we might have some tea. 

We were, however, in time to see the changing of the guard! They do this once a day at noon. There are four royal residences, so they go to each palace. I asked and found out they are out for 2 hours and rest inside for two. The next day they are at the military base. 

It’s a bit of a long recording, but so cool to see! There are police who keep everyone at a good distance and out of their path while allowing you to observe and even take video. What would we do without our cellphones!

Here’s a bit of trivia for ya about the changing of the guards: 

There are three types of guard changes:

• Kongevagt (King’s Watch) – when the monarch is in residence – accompanied by the Royal Guards music band.
• Løjtnantsvagt (Lieutenant Watch) – when Prince Henrik is residing at the palace or Crown Prince Frederik or Prince Joachim are residing at Amalienborg in the capacity of regents – accompanied by the Corps of Drums of the RLG.
• Palævagt (Manor Watch) – the Crown Prince or Prince Joachim are in residence but not in the capacity of regents or the Palace is uninhabited – the Guards march through Copenhagen without music accompaniment

Ya ‘loin somethin’ new every day! [Must be heard with a New York accent!]!

Our next stop was literally next door, or down the corridor, so to speak. Frederiks Kirke, or Fredericks Church. Frederick’s Church has the largest church dome in Scandinavia with a span of 31m. The dome rests on 12 columns.

I loved the two organs in the church, very different and beautiful in their own way. Hey, doesn’t that statue look like he’s in trouble?

Next stop,  the city of Christianshaven. Well to be precise, Church of Our Saviour Church of Our Saviour 

(Danish: Vor Frelsers Kirke) is a baroque church in Copenhagen, Denmark, most famous for its helix spire with an external winding staircase that can be climbed to the top, offering extensive views over central CopenhagenWe did have a quick stop for tea and cake.

The trip up the tower to get to the spire is a one at a time deal, this was fine as there were things to see at the different levels and it gave me a chance to catch my breath! The items were a bit odd, not odd for a church, odd that they seemed to have been abandoned there. 

Once I got to the top, I walked around the outside andthen it was time to go up. I climbed the spire slowly, my only fear…dropping my phone! Made it back down together,  whew!

I’m sorry,  the video won’t load, bummer!

Down below, I realized I had worked up an appetite, so we headed to Ida Davidsen’s. On the way we are reminded that this city is very big into Christmas and they are ready to celebrate!

Ida Davidsen’s was a recommendation from Christopher at the front desk. The restaurant is known for its open faced sandwiches, which also happens to be a Danish gastronomic specialty. PSM had duck and I had cheese, I believe it was camembert and oh my…heaven! 
Now, I know you’re thinking wait, she’s vegan, right? Yes I am, but remember, vegetarian by choice, vegan by force and on this trip, like our last big trip, some countries just don’t understand that some people don’t eat meat so I accommodate and let me tell you, the result may not be great, but it tastes great!

Then it was off towards our new hotel, right on the canal. We didn’t feel like going at that moment, so off to our favorite like pub for tea for me, a porter for PSM and more good conversation. Oh yeah, somewhere in there we had waffles and churros, y u m!

We hit the hotel, got to the room sat down and all of a sudden it was about 45 minutes later and we woke up and realized we were hungry!

We went to a restaurant who’s placard boasted “Try our vegetarian burger and you will become vegetarian!” How could I not? Well folks, I’m here to tell you it’s not true, for me anyway. It was still a good time.

After dinner, as we were walking to our hotel, oh so far away on the corner of the next block…we passed McJoy’s Scottish Pub and after the sign they were boasting, we went in. PSM had a Carlsberg and I had an amaretto on the rocks,  look at me, all grown up!

We hung out, listening to our loud musician neighbor and some good music. I have found it very interesting that most of the music restaurants and pubs play is American and classic oldies at that! I’m not complaining, I just find it interesting, since I know that there are singers from these countries,  oh well, bring it!

Now…it’s off to sleep for us, adventure awaits and…a new location,  I’ll tell you tomorrow!

(

Let’s explore together, shall we?

After a lovely and filling breakfast, we headed out to greet the day and Copenhagen. The streets are so pretty to walk down and admired and wonder at. Do you see the halo over the building? We thought it was cool too!

Our first stop was the Rundetaarn, or Rundetårn (Round Tower in English), is a 17th-century tower located in central Copenhagen, Denmark. One of the many architectural projects of Christian IV, it was built as an astronomical observatory.

One of the cool parts of the tower is the equestrian staircase,  so if you wanted to, you could ride your horse all e way up…and who wouldn’t want to do that?

There was also a toilet in the tower.  The toilet was used by the researchers and astronomers working in the tower and consisting of a seat almost at the top and a shaft leading down to the bottom floor built into the hollow core. This shaft has no way of emptying it nor any ventilation to the outside, making it arguably one of the world’s largest and earliest septic tanks. Um…can you say ewe?

One of my favorite features of the observatory of the tower was wrought iron fence. Each panel was different, aren’t they awesome?!

After the tower…history! This was our walk to the National Museum of Denmark. 

On our way to the museum we passed by the Synagogue, which was closed, but we saw the tribute to Dan Uzan who was murdered on February 15, 2015. He was part of the volunteer security for a bat mitzvah that night. 

On 14–15 February 2015, two separate shootings occurred in Copenhagen, Denmark. Two victims and the Islamic terrorist were killed, while five police officers were wounded.

The National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) is Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history, comprising the histories of Danish and foreign cultures, alike.
It was interesting, Danish history, vikings, cultures from around the world. it was bigger than we realized and we enjoyed several hours touring. 

After history, we wanted to see some art, so off to the National Gallery of Denmark (Danish: Statens Museum for Kunst, also known as “SMK”).

The museum collects, registers, maintains, researches and handles Danish and foreign art dating from the 14th century to the present day.
The first thing we saw were a bunch of installation art pieces…um. Then we moved on to surrealism, yup surreal. Then some French, impressionists, Danish, the gamut. We both really enjoyed it. 

By now, everything is closing, it’s ‘suppah-time’! We walked to the Copenhagen Street Food Market. This is basically a waterside marketplace featuring independent food stalls & trucks selling snacks, meals & drinks.

We crossed a bridge over the canal, walked a bit and there it was. There was an installation art piece by Yoko Ono, very cool actually, a forest of wishing trees. Take a piece of paper, write your wish on it and hang it on one of the trees. Unfortunately for us…no more wishes available. It was neat to see all the wishes in different languages.

Walking into the Stree Food Market was great, all these food trucks,  sights, sounds, smells. It was noisy, but warm, cozy and inviting. You took a seat where there was one available and the food didn’t  seem overpriced, I would say just like any food trucks anywhere, but we know that’s not true! it really was a great experience.

Then it was back to the hotel, up to the executive lounge to relax, have some beverages and talk about the day. 

Who knows what tomorrow has in store for us! I’ll keep you posted!

We started the morning in Vik, checked out and went across the street for breakfast. 

Catch…they weren’t open for breakfast! We got some tea and what we thought we buttered croissants, but turned out to be ham and cheese. Improvise, eat around that stuff!

The weather today? Rain, rain and more rain and not just rain, RAIN…sideways, front ways, just rain! First stop, before our first stop…Icelandic Wear for some rain gear for me! I am now the proud owner of rain pants and a snazzy waterproof jacket, score!

Now, in the car and first stop, black sand beach. This was spectacular! The black sand, still larger rocks for part of the beach, silt in others and small rocks the rest. 

This is not a beach for swimming or bathing, as it were. They have what are called “deadly sneaker waves”. These will sneak up on you, literally and can draw you under and that’s that…to be blunt.

The depth of the ocean, the intensity of the waves, the amazing natural splendor, the rock formations, the view, the wind, even the rain couldn’t dampen, ha ha, our experience!

After a thorough soaking, well, but thorough thanks to my new reason gear, which, by the way, will now be a part of my trip essentials, we went to the Black Sand Beach Restaurant. We had turnip soup, sandwiches and some bar like thing for dessert. Oh and hot tea, of course to warm our cold hands. 

It is one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth. Its stretch of black basalt sand is one of the wettest places in Iceland. The cliffs west of the beach are home to many seabirds, most notably puffinswhich burrow into the shallow soils during the nesting season. Offshore lie stacks of basalt rock, remnants of a once more extensive cliffline Reynisfjall, now battered by the sea. There is no landmass between here and Antarctica and the Atlantic rollers can attack with full force. 

According to folklore, they are former trolls who tried to drag their boats out to sea only to be caught by the rising dawn. The sea around them is rather wild and stormy, so travelers will not be surprised to discover a monument to the memory of drowned seamen on the beach.

After the black sand beach we got back in the car to head back to Reykjavik, the rain determined what we could and couldn’t do today, and a lot of outdoor stuff was not in the cards.

Fear not friends, we found things to do. We had lunch in a greenhouse! Victor, do you remember him from the other day? He told us about Fridheimer, off, way off the beaten path, is one of the many greenhouses in Iceland and the unique thing about this was you get to eat in the greenhouse, among the tomatoes and the bees. We couldn’t see the bees, they were doing their thing away from the tables. [The video is the bees in a box]

They had fresh tomatoe soup, bread, pasta and flat breads, different “Mary” drinks [bloody, Christmas, virgin, healthy], tomatoe shots, this was Brennivin in a tomatoe, tomatoe ice cream, tomatoe cheesecake and apple and tomatoe piece.

It was warm, not just because we were in a greenhouse, it was warm and inviting and a unique experience. 

From their website: Have you gone out to dinner in a greenhouse? The unique food experience at the restaurant, where the tomatoes grow all around! Tomato soup and freshly baked bread along with other delicacies in the cozy environment within the plant.

The common thread in the kitchen Friðheimar the tomatoes in various forms. And no wonder, for four types of tomatoes are grown in greenhouses where meal are brought forward within the tomato plants.Food experience that has few parallels. Come and enjoy!

And we did enjoy! Even chatted with some girls from the States, three were from NYC and one who’s mom grew up where I did. We shared some stories and gave them suggestions on places and things to eat, like the reindeer at the Blue Lagoon and the fermented shark bites at Cafe Loki.

Last stop…Harpa Theatre to see Icelandic Saga. Basically, the biggest hits, as they called them, in 75 minutes. 

We learned about Hallgerda Long-Pants, Gunnlaug Serpent Tongue, Killer-Glum, Harald with the great hair-do, Mjoll the-biggest-of-all-women-who-were-not-giants and Leif the Lucky who found America… and lost it again.

The show was funny and fabulous and we laughed and learned. We also heard one of the sagas or tales we learned on the Golden Circle Tour, hell truly hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Presented by two of Icelands finest actors Icelandic Sagas – The Greatest hits is a 75 minute theatrical comedy roller coaster ride through Iceland’s literary heritage.

The Icelandic Sagas are the 40 true stories of the first settlers of Iceland – Well, Icelanders say they’re true. Everyone else says: Get out of here!

Another fabulous day in Iceland, but sadly, this part of our adventure has come to an end, awe…
But not to fear friends and family! our next great adventure begins tomorrow…very early tomorrow. As we speak, we are in a hotel near the airport, getting a few hours of sleep before our 630 am flight to…

Ha, you thought it was that easy? Nope, you’ll just have to wait! 

Goodnight frá Íslandi