Denmark, What A Scream

 

I am still in search of a “Great Danish” as I leave Nyhavn and head towards Tivoli. Tivoli is the famous Danish amusement park founded in 1843.

 

 

Along Stroget Street I stop at a Mediterranean style restaurant for an early evening snack before continuing on toward the central train station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copenhagen Central Train Station

 

The night air has a nice chill to it and the sky has taken on a sunset blue that provides a magnificent backdrop for the surrounding buildings.

Strolling through the train station, I think I have come close to ending my "Great Search", at of all places a 7-11.

 

 

For about US$3, I have one of the best cinnamon rolls I have ever tasted.

However, I am not sure if it counts as a danish. In fairness to my extensive culinary and scientific research, I decide more data is required and continue my quest.

 

 

 

 

Again using my cOPENhagen Card, I enter Tivoli. Since it is later in the evening the park is mostly deserted. However, this allows me to leisurely stroll and enjoy the area. With colorful rows of lights and dancing fountains, the grounds are picturesque.

 

 

 

 

 

Tivoli

 

As I am walking around I am drawn to the international sounds of fun and excitement. Screams and laughter can be heard in the distance as I enter the rides section of the park. It brings a smile to my face to see and hear others having so much fun even if I cannot understand their spoken language.

 

 

Tivoli offers a diversity of carnival games, rides, food vendors and exhibitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I find the electrical exhibition interesting. Here I discover I can temporarily generate about 80 watts of power but it is exhausting. I produce just enough power to turn on a laptop but no Googling or Facebooking.

 

 

 

About to leaving the park I catch the closing act of one of the many performances put on by the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all that Tivoli offers including "Friday Rock" concerts, it is definitely worth the visit to the park especially if you have a cOPENhagen card.

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Denmark,Copenhagen,cOPENhagen Card,Tivoli

Denmark, A Waterbus Tour

 

I am up from my afternoon nap just in time to take a short stroll to Nyhavn (New Harbor) for the last Waterbus Tour of the afternoon. With my cOPENhagen Card the tour is free!

Once the “Red Light District” of Copenhagen and home of The Little Mermaid author, Hans Christian Andersen, Nyhavn has now become one of Copenhagen’s hippest and most expensive neighborhoods.

 

 

Brilliant yellows, light blues and rich browns highlights the high-priced buildings and restaurants that line the canal as we begin our tour.

 

 

 

 

One of these buildings was Hans Christian Andersen former residence.

 

 

 

The Opera

 

 

Leaving the protected canal we enter an open harbor that has a brisk wind blowing across it. Passing The Playhouse we head towards The Opera which designed and built to resemble the a historical harbor loading dock.

A turn down another canal and we are cruising by million dollar condominiums that were converted from an old shipping yard, very cool. Too bad I don't have a million dollars. Can you spare me some small change?

Back from The International Expo in Shanghai, China, The Little Mermaid sits alone along the waters edge that fronts a local park. She has had a tough life here having lost her head twice and being painted red. There is an under current to give Ariel a more promising future the size of the Statue Of Liberty in New York but the Danes are still undecided.

 

Facing The Opera is the Amalieborg Castle, The Royal Family's home.

Not as impressive from my perspective but we are told Her Majesty gets up with a fantastic view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christianborg

 

 

 

Next, we are touring through Christianborg another spectacular neighborhood that houses the Danish Parliament and The Old Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

The Old Stock Exchange.

Used by the countries of Denmark,Sweden and Norway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area of the tour has us navigating below many low bridges some requiring us to be careful to not lose our heads like Ariel.

 

 

At one point it seems like we will become stuck. However, our tour guide promises we'll get home tonight.

The captain does a nice job navigating the low and narrow canal.

 

 

 

 

 

We return to Nyhavn with some daylight remaining and my search for a “Great Danish” continues.

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Denmark,Copenhagen,Nyhavn,Hans Christian Andersen,The Little Mermaid,Ariel

Denmark, A Nice Welcome

 

 

Leaving an Internet Cafe, I set off on a walk to Generator Hostel, my bed for the night. Passing Tivoli which I plan to visit later in the day, I cross Town Hall Square and join Stroget Street.

 

 

The earlier winds have now been silenced and the air has warmed up from the afternoon sun. The weather could not be much better for an afternoon stroll as white whisper clouds look down from above on this vibrant city.

Stroget Street is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. I have no doubt as it is lined with intriguing shops, restaurants and bakeries. The street is narrow in some areas then opens to small squares. Some squares with simple benches while others offer relaxing water fountains.

 

 

Colorful Copenhagen Side Street

 

 

 

In one area, I stop to enjoy a solo musician playing a violin. Combined with the beautiful surroundings, colorful buildings and Danes out enjoying the afternoon, it is an experience that I do not want to end.

 

 

 

The effects of jet lag is beginning to catch up with me and I press on to Generator Hostel.

There an early afternoon nap is welcomed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Denmark,Copenhagen,Tivoli

Denmark, In Search Of A Great Danish

 

 

From Amsterdam Schipol Airport I am in within striking distance of discovering a Great Danish and jump at the opportunity.

 

 

 

After boarding an SAS flight, I touch down in the Danish Capital, Copenhagen in less than two hours.

The arrival process in most European airports is such a pleasant experience and Copenhagen is no exception. In less than twenty minutes I have cleared Immigration and Customs and I am standing at the Tourist Information booth.

With a tourist map and a cOPENhagen Card (229DKK, about US$43) which allows free admission to many attractions and free city transportation, I head for the fastest way from the airport to the City Center.  It is a beautiful late summer day as fresh scenery moves pass me at about forty miles an hour. I am onboard the Copenhagen Metro and faster than I imagined we arrive at the Central train station.

I am still getting my bearing in the city but must first accomplish an important task before I set out exploring.

I need accommodations for two nights.

 

Exiting the train station, a chill is in the air as the wind is howling down the streets. With temperatures in the low 60's, away from the shadow of the train station building, the warmth of the sun rays is welcoming.

At the Visitor's Center, I am disappointed to learn that there are just a few rooms left in the city because of a big biking event in town this weekend. The available rooms along with a booking fee seem overpriced and I leave the center in search of an Internet Cafe.

Twenty minutes later, I have secured my accommodations online at a relatively new hostel, Generator, for 150DKK per night about US$28 and without a booking fee.

 

 
I am now free to continue my search for a "Great Danish" with a few distractions and detours along the way.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Denmark,Copenhagen

Morocco, Drag Belly Dancers

 

My last night in Marrakesh and I am back at Jemaa El Fna where it seems all the action takes place.

On the grounds of the square there is all types of entertainment from entrepreneurial Moroccans.

 

 

You can bowl on a four feet mat, fish for a two litter bottles of soda or even watch drag queen belly dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A stroll down Marrakesh's version of the famous Canal Street in New York, I have a small desert then I am off to have dinner.

 

 

 

 

As I am dining, stalls are in the background with vendors selling bowls and bowls of escargots. My interested is peaked but I am not sure I have the stomach for it.

I get some encouragement to try them after watching a younger diner sitting at a table next to me eating them. However, his almost priceless facial expressions causes me some doubt.

With a waiter's help communicating for me, I get offered a sampling instead of having to purchase an entire bowl. Not bad, like anchovies but not as salty.

For my last night in Morocco this turns out to be a fun and lively place to hang out.

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Marrakech,Morocco

Morocco, Seaside Essaouira

 

Walking along the shoreline, I am given another perspective of this charming coastal town.

 

 

 

Vendors carry trays of local pastries for sale while a group of kids gather near the water to fish. As I head towards an old fort in the distance, I make a brief stop at stands filled with the fresh catches of the day.

 

 

Fresh Fish

 

 

 

Here I solve the mystery of the flavorful fish I had for dinner the previous night in Marrakesh.

My guess confirmed. It was eel.

 

 

 

 

 

  Just before entering the old fort colorful blue fishing boats scattered around add a nice touch to the coastal landscape.

 

 

 

A $10 dirham entrance fee and I get an elevated view of the city along with a chance to share a part of it's history.

 

 

 

 

 

Off shore is an island once used as a prison and below me is a very active fishing port and market area.

 

 

 

 

 

The wind is howling up here and steals my Chicago Cubs baseball cap. I hope some Moroccan will recover it from the sea below and become a Cubs fan.

From the fort, we make our way to the beach which has a wide firm sandy area. Here you can do windsurfing, kite sailing or even take a camel ride.

 

 

I find it ironic that the water is so cold beneath my feet.

However, it does stop too many from enjoying being here.

Especially, the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Morocco,Essaouria

Morocco, Strolling Essaouira

 

 

Arriving in Essaouria, I immediately take a liking to the area.

 

 

 

 

 

Clear blue skies and fresh Atlantic Ocean breezes blanket this city along Morocco’s western shoreline. A brief walk from where our tour bus drops us off and we enter a bustling hassle free outdoor market area.

 

 

Essaouira Market

 

 

I imagine you can find anything you might need here. Colorful leather slippers for men can be found from one vendor, there's a butcher shop even a fast talking super glue salesman.

 

 

Can you get chicken any fresher than a live one?

I just which they knew not to stick their necks out on a limb.

 

 

 

 

I am drawn to the variety of fresh fruits and give a cactus fruit a try. I am impressed when the vendor reaches below his cart full of fruit and retrieves his private reserves.  Using his skills, he prepares the fruit for me and serves it like a gracious host.

 

 

A papaya texture with edible seeds that's moist and sweet.

All for less than ten cents, wow!

 

 

 

 

Next, I am walking a narrow alley that opens into a small square that connects to another narrow alley. Both are lined with buildings that have bright blue shutters a left over reminder of France's presence here.

 

 

 

Essaouira Blue Shutters

 

 

Another street with a mixture of shops. This time two catch my attention, well ok, more like three. First, a music shop where I purchase a CD with a nice collection of African music.

Then I succumb to my sweet tooth not once but twice.

 

 

How can one resist a coconut layered cake or pastries loaded with pistachios, almonds or chocolates?

 

 

 

It takes nerves of steel and stamina which I severely lack when it comes to sweets.

 

 

However, I do get some encouragement from a local Superkid!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Morocco,Essaouria