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I'm just going to come out and say it - I Love Copenhagen! Well...more like a crush. We only just met but I'm smitten.
Our first ever AirBNB went perfectly. We turn up at the house and our host (Asger) has baked us bread and it hits the spot after the long flight. The house is like an IKEA show room but better. And while the handover is a little weird - "I don't know you but here's my house" - it is just like staying at a friends house and it's awesome to have our own place to relax.
The couch and beds were calling our names but we had to ward off the jetlag. Sleeping would be a disaster, so we hit the metro and headed for central Copenhagen. We are staying in Frederiksberg - Leafy, leisurely and laidback - and it's only 2 metro stops from the city centre. The weather was pretty average - about 30 degrees cooler than we'd had in Singapore and rain was setting in. We walked the cobbled streets of Fiolstraede, AmagerTorv, Kobmagergade and Ostergade. Checked out the Lego Superstore and the Disney store for the kids. The kids really enjoyed
the Lego store and I wouldn't be surprised if the kids wanted to go back there. The kids really loved the lego store.
Another reason I feel an aphinity with Copenhagen is the bikes. So many bikes. Everyone is riding bikes. There are dedicated bike lanes everywhere and there are so many good looking people riding good looking bikes. It's utopia! They don't ride the bikes for exercise or to pose. The bikes are simple, practical and cool! They are riding because it's an awesome mode of transport and super efficient. Even when the weather turns, they still ride. They're not kitted up in lycra, they're in jeans, suits, skirts; they're going to uni, doing the grocery shopping, riding between business meetings, dropping the kids at school, picking up pizza and they don't even wear helmets. The respect and infrastructure for cyclists makes it super safe and the cyclists all seem to obey the rules and it just works. And it's ridiculously flat here. You don't need gears and everyone cruises along at such a great pace. Love It! I may have ignored a few significant sites because I'm photographing bikes, but they just push my buttons. I've chosen
a few of my favourites.
I need to ride this city. There are bikes everywhere taunting me. And I just want to ride amongst my brothers and sisters sans helmet and feel that nordic breeze through my hair. I was hoping Asger would have a bike to lend me but he doesn't and he directed me to a rental shop but they were closed and it looks like tomorrow is a public holiday and they will be closed again. It felt like my destiny but alas was not. I'll be back Copenhagen and I will ride one of your flat bar single gear beauties if it's the last thing I do.
In between drooling over bikes we hit a few key sites today. Spent a couple of hours at the Danish National Museum and got a history lesson on Denmark and vikings. The kids were great and enjoyed the museum. Deaks really got into it and Milla maintained her interest alot longer than expected. We saw hordes of loot from viking raids all over Europe. We saw an 8000 year old elk skeleton preserved in a bog. We saw numerous old weapons, tools, treasures, skeletons and a remains
of a viking ship. It's a great Musuem and we only scratched the surface.
Walked our way through the old city and to the top of the Rundetaarn - Round Tower - for a view of the city centre. Bloody freezing when the wind blows but delightful when the sun comes out. You can imagine Copenhagen buzzing in summer. Medieval squares full of above average looking people drinking above average beers and being all friendly and polite.
We also took a stroll through Frederiksberg Have (Gardens) and while the rain was hanging around and the wind was chilly; when the sun was out you could picture it packed with people their really cool bikes! I'd like to throw a frisbee in that park.
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Tim
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Bikes
With your bike riding skills you may just need a helmet!