Sunday, May 19- Copenhagen

We have breakfast at 8 and the servers are rushing us as they want everyone out by 8:30. The cruise is over but not our stay. We spend the day in Copenhagen. We grab a taxi once out on the dock. It takes us directly to our hotel, the Absalon or Annex. I'd contacted the hotel earlier to confirm that we could drop off our luggage. We are sent to a luggage room and then we sit in the lobby for a bit to catch up on emails and messages. Afterwards, we are walking again to visit the Rosenborg Palace. It is still as it was in the 1600's. We figure that we should see at least one of the three palaces in town. It's a beautiful sunny, warm day. The taxi driver tells us that there is a marathon in town. Thank goodness we are early as roads are starting to get closed off. By the time we arrive at the Rosenborg Palace it is 11:15. We go to buy tickets and we are told that we will need to place our bags (purses and backpacks) in lockers. Also, our entry time is 12:00. We therefore have 45 minutes to walk around the gardens.

Arriving at the Palace

The moat around the Palace

Guards

Hans Christian Andersen

Other view of the Palace

The gardens

The visit is in two sections. We visit the rooms which are on two storeys, then we walk outside to go down to the basement to see the Crown Jewels.

Beautiful clock

Toilet

All rooms in the first and second floors

Stairs to the basement

The crowns..

Don't imagine that the wine in those bottles would be good to drink. A little too vintage..

Amazing jewels and accessories

We continue walking and the marathon is going on just behind the palace. 

Our walk takes us to Stroget St where it's pedestrians only and shopping.

Eating a gelato

We return to our hotel around 2:30 or so. We can now check in, so we do that. We find out that we have shared bathroom and shower. Not the greatest set up. I missed that when I booked. We are on the 2nd floor and there are elevators. Our room has 4 single beds. If there is any snoring, we will all be hearing it tonight. Ha. There are 3-4 bathrooms and 3-4 separate showers, so it should be fine. 

Shirley and I want to walk another 30 minutes or so to see Christianhavn. It is a part of Copenhagen where the supposed "Hippies" live. They sell and smoke marijuana openly even though it is illegal in this country. The people there want to live as in a commune under their own rules. We heard that they do get raided by the police once in a while.  

On our walk we see young boys jumping in the water. It is warm but I can't believe that the water would be very warm.

Lots of cyclists

As we approach Christianhavn we see a lot of grafitti

Nice painted building on our way in.

Vendors selling tie dye clothing, jewelry, pot, and other paraphernalia. This was the last picture that I took as I was told that taking photos was prohibited. We walk through and stay for 15 minutes or so. Off now to discover more. 

Tour boat

Nice garden area near a library

Library

Cow outside our hotel

After we return we decide to have a beer in the lobby. There is a bar there. Shirley, Barb, and I enjoy a refreshing draught. We ask the bartender if he can suggest a good Thai restaurant. He confirms that the one near the hotel has a good reputation. We walk two minutes to find the eatery.

Rice and Spring roll

Very colourful and yummy dishes

More yumminess

The restaurants really hit the tourists hard. We had tap water but were charged $3 each for our glasses. Also, they add a 25% tax. The waiter said that it was VAT and that we could get refunded at the airport. You need a lot of receipts to make VAT worthwhile. Back in our rooms at 8:15. Internet access is only working in the lobby so I go down to contact Ron. The others take showers and start getting ready for bed. I take my shower on my return and lights are out around 9:30. 

Our night was a bit noisy to begin with as we had to keep the windows open because of the heat. At that time of night there are people walking around. Also, at least one person in the room snores while sleeping, so without earplugs, sleeping comes and goes. We are awake around 6:30 and downstairs an hour later. We use the Internet and get a cab at 8:30. It takes about 25 minutes or so to arrive at the airport. We check in using the machine and are able to send our bags. Now to find a little breakfast and find a comfortable place to sit.