The land of the vikings…. Copenhagen, Denmark

It’s been about 8 years since I have been to Denmark and I couldn’t wait to return and re-see where my MorMor grew up! Luckily, I still have family living in Denmark.  My mom’s cousins were more than happy to host me in their fabulous country.  I was greeted in the Copenhagen airport by Jytte and Emma with open arms and then we were on our way for lunch and to see a few things in Copenhagen.

The first amazing building dispite the grey sky… PALADS.  Palads is a movie theatre that was built in 1917 with 17 different screens.  One of my favorite buildings in Copenhagen… obviously because of the bright colors.

Soon after Emma and I climbed the Round Tower.   It was built by King Christian IV in 1642 as an observatory used by the University.  Instead of climbing stairs to the top, you follow a ramp to the top and in return get an amazing panoramic view of the city. ** insert pic

Day 2 in Copenhagen, I was with my mom’s cousin, Lars’, daugher, Rikke.  She lives about a 10-15 minute walk from center city Copenhagen.  The day started out a little dreary, but cleared up by the time of our canal tour.  Although first we started the day visiting The Little Mermaid.  She was one of my favorite sights when I was in Copenhagen eight years ago. We then walked around Kastellett where some of the guards and militia live with their families or by themselves.  Then we took a canal tour!  One of the stories the guides told on the tour was about the Kings Brewery.  The King believed the water wasn’t good to drink and he didn’t want his soldiers to get sick so he declared that they all drink beer.  They began to drink so much that he set a limit at how much beer a week they can drink… 10Liters/Person/day.  CRAZY.

One of the things that makes me love Denmark is the strong history that is seen where ever you step in the country and the strong line of courtship.  Its funny because when I was there when I was younger, I doubt I appreciated the historical ties; however, this changed during my visit.  I learned so much about the Kings, Queens, and Crown Price and his family.  For instance, the Crown Prince will become King, when Queen Margrethe II passes away or steps down.  Her father King Frederik IX had no sons and she was the oldest of the daughters, therefore was his successor.  Her heir is her oldest son Frederik, crown prince of Denmark.  When he becomes King he will become King Frederik X.  His successor will be his son Christian.  The names for all the Kings rotate every other from Frederik to Christian.  Another intersting fact is that the King had twins on January 8, 2011 and his childrens names are not made public until they are baptised so the people in Denmark were guessing what they thought the names would be based on lineage.