04-05-2011 Copenhagen

What a full on day! Had to be ready by 9am, tourgoup is a whole mix of tourists, and commentry is in several languages, very enthusiastic tour guides, and they make the journy so pleasurable, we walked and walked for hours through the streets of Copenhagen. Fantastic architecture with loads of  history. I will not bore everyone with the details, and will let the pictures do the talking. My highlight for the day was the changing of the gaurds of the palace. Princess Mary and Frederic was 'in' and so was the Queen, as the flags were flying. Saw the Danish operah house, gifted to the Danish society by MAERSK and requested it to be built with view inline with the palace. We walked passed the 'Playhouse, anotehr famous architect known for his talens. There is a building all in black glass called the 'black diamond' its a library and the name is because it shimmers like a diamond with the reflection of the water. The walk went on towards the 'little mermaid' the statue most welknown in Denmark (I had to buy a souvenier). My most favourite walk was though 'Nyhavn' (Newhaven),the buildings were the old warfs and fishermans accomodations in the earleir years. Now its cluttered with street cafes, the waterways full of classic wooden ships/boats/house boats. What amazed me is that all the cafes had little blankets draped over the chairs (to cover your knees because of the cold)  We all went on a canal scenic cruise, and cruised passed all the places we just walked though. The Royal yacht will also be in one of the photos. Again it was bitter cold today, the 10 degrees suddenly become 5 or less when the wind comes up. Apparantly in the northen parts of Denmark they had snow yesterday....and here I thought it was spring and going to be warm-silly me. I had to buy some gloves...the best buy was in a place called the 'chilli house'. The worlds only shop that only sold chillies, anything and everything chillies, clothes to bowls to sauces to spices...amazing place. We visited the Round tower, walked through the longest street malls, with all the famous designer lable shops,  saw the Marbledome church, the Parliament house. I forgot to mention in previous bloggs......the food is outstanding, the flavours are from out this world...my first day here, I had an omlet and salad, wow the best I have ever tasted, today I HAD to taste a proper dinkem Danish pastry, all I can say is YUM, I might not have a sweet tooth, but boy was that good! For dinner tonight I had Soul (fish) the best I have ever tasted....maybe its because ot the butter they use....yes bad colestrol....but hey when in Rome do as the romans do.....my last impression of the Danish was---there are millions and millions of bicycles....all the women in bikes, some have baskets all draped in flowers, shopping, some dressed smartly, but they all cycle. They also drive on the 'wrong' side of the street, and you have to watch yourself as you 'look' the wrong way for traffic...quite a culture shock....