Another wonderful adventure awaits, as we head for the Baltics and St. Petersburg.  BUT – before boarding Oceania Marina, three days were to be spent in Copenhagen – Denmark’s capital and the gateway to Scandinavia.  Kobenhavn was born on the little island of Slotsholmen in 1167 – today the home of Christiansborg Palace (coming soon).  More recent history writes (literally) of Hans Christian Andersen – the “Danish Charles Dickens” – and his well known and adored fairy tales.  Who didn’t hear about “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Princess and the Pea” or “The Little Mermaid” when they were growing up??  Both “The Little Mermaid” and Hans Christian Andersen are top sights to see in Copenhagen;-)

A Heartbroken Little Mermaid looks Forlornly for Her Prince

Friends, Rheta and Tom, Getting a Reading from Hans

The Fountain of Charity is in the old town center – Gammeltorv – and has provided drinking water to locals since the early 1600’s.  Charity tops the fountain and is a pregnant woman squirting water from her breasts with a young boy standing next to her urinating;-)

Be careful where you get your drinking water from!!

Next up – the National  Museum, a fabulous facility which traces this civilization from its ancient beginnings through thousands of years to current times.  The ‘frozen’ bog bodies are incredible – but not as fearsome as Gary the Viking – –

Beware the Viking!!

The City Hall provided a look at the original architecture of the city with incredible detail-

Then there is Tivoli Gardens!  The world’s grand old amusement park since 1843.  Think Chicago’s World Fair, Disney Land and Epcot Center all wrapped up into one.

Go  anywhere in the world at Tivoli Gardens!

Robot mower kept the lawn tidy.

 A perfect lunch spot in the Gardens;-)

Finally – to the birthplace of Copenhagen in the 12th century – Slotsholmen or Castle Island.  Christiansborg Palace, with its three crown spire, is the imposing former residence of kings.  Today it houses the parliament.

Welcome to Christiansborg

Thank you Trump for canceling your trip to Denmark or you would have been having lunch here.

Or here!

The Royal Family – Queen Margrethe II and her husband – now live in Amalienborg Palace, with her son and his family living to the right.  We were just in time to see the changing of the guard.  Not quite as formal as Buckingham Palace but fun to see.

The flag is not up – the Queen is not home;-(

Next up – Rosenberg Castle, built by King Christian IV in the early 1600’s as a summer residence. It was his favorite and where he chose to die. Thankfully, no dead bodies today just the Danish Crown Jewels and 500 years of royal knickknacks!

A Stately Rosenberg Castle

Current “His” and “Hers”

There was soooooo much more – but, this is all time would allow. Tomorrow we board the Marina and set sail.

More when we can get a connection;-(. E & G sailing away.