WANDERING COPENHAGEN

  After a leisurely breakfast in the "downstairs cave" we packed up and moved to another hotel called The Strand.  We loved our warehouse hotel, but the Strand was more centrally located in this beautiful city. Luck prevailed and we had a fine cloudy...but no rain day. The STRAND was also an old converted warehouse, but done differently. The rooms are pretty small, but when we entered the door, there was a wonderful bottle of chilled champagne waiting for us. We don't know why, but we have learned NOT to question these lucky moments.

We started a walking tour of the area and got orientated to the city. Everyone comments on the bicycles in Denmark. It is so true. There are 4.2 million and only 1.8 million cars. Cars are "taxed at 150% of price, so DUH! Plus itnis a very flat country and the bike lanes are specified and well organized. With such a huge population of bikers...they RULE. We heard funny stories of tourists out with the locals....and most of the stories were not kind in favor of the tourists. All the hotels have bikes to loan their guests, and I am sure Steve will be on one soon. Helmets are not required, and we saw very few people with them on. Suits, dresses, long coats, sports clothes, shorts...everyone rides a bike.

I also tried the Denmark hotdog that is the favorite, and it was great! Will probably have another for lunch tomorrow. We found a beautiful department store with a grocery on the bottom floor, so we bought some samples of wonderful Danish cheese, and crackers and a big 'ol smoked mackerel for Steve and we hoofed it back to the hotel for a champagne picnic.

We also found a chocolate shop...deadly, sinful, and decadent with samples and funny chocolatiers. Ok, we will
probably be back there again soon.
The days are getting a tad longer, so the streets are decorated with bright ornaments and lights to bring on the spring. All the shops are gorgeous, the clothes are gorgeous, the people are gorgeous...what's not to like. Weather doesn't even phase these hearty decedents  of the Vikings. They just bundle up, sit out side and drink coffee or Tuborg, and go along like it is summer.