jin loves to eat: Scandinavia Trip Day 2: Copenhagen

We are all up and ready at 6am today only to find out that because it is a weekend, breakfast doesn’t start until an hour later. Oops.

So we pace back and forth the restaurant door and at 7am sharp, we have a hearty breakfast then we’re off to do some city touring.

This is the Queen’s very own yacht. Ooh la la.

And this is where she hangs out before boarding her ooh la la yacht.
Check our the crown on top of the structure.

Windmills produce an average of 21% of Denmark’s electricity. Wow.

Then we go see The Little Mermaid. Her life story is like in the fairy tales except it is not a happy ending. The prince married a human princess, the mermaid returned to sea, turned into foam and died. Tragic.

The sad, sad little mermaid

The moral of the story:

1. Do not wish for things you cannot have.

2. Be happy with who you are.

Actually, I saw Little Mermaid when she was at the Shanghai Expo for 6 months. According to our tour guide Brad, the Danish were not too happy with the excursion. It was like sending the Statue of Liberty to China. When they got it back they had to turn the mermaid upside down to make sure it didn’t say “Made in China.”

Har. Har. Har.

Helping each other up

The Gefion Fountain. It is said that the Swedish King Gylfi promised the legendary
Norse goddess Gefjun all the land she can plow in one night. And guess what she did?
She turned her four sons into oxens. Way to go, mom!

Finally, a group photo

Thank you, Ms. Chinese tour guide!

Then we head to the Royal Family’s winter residence…

Amalienborg Palace

And see how lucky, we are just in time to witness The Changing of the Guards.
Excuse me, lady!

Face to face.
The guards are wearing special uniforms because today, April 16, is the Queen’s birthday.

This is what happens when you try to stand too close and act all flirty with the guard.
He suddenly bangs his rifle hard on the ground and you get this photo with that priceless shocked expression on your face. Leave the poor guard alone, Frances!

While my tour mates hoard everything in the souvenir shop…

I have a photo op with this ugly troll

Then we visit the original Carlsberg Brewery. They don’t produce beer here anymore.
It is now a museum, souvenir shop, bar, etc. etc.

Mini truck

Such heavy girls!

Vintage cars and more vintage cars

Old Man Carlsberg and Young Man Carlsberg

Carlsberg beer through the years

“The human skull was also used as a drinking bowl.” Eeep.

Barrels and crates

At the table with Carlsberg founder J.C. Jacobsen, and a very drunk Vibson

Tools

Heavy machineries

Each admission ticket includes 2 complimentary bottles of beer.
So I guess it’s drinking time!!!

We each pick a different beer to try and exchange the rest for bottles of water.
Only because there’s no chocolate milk.

Of all the glasses, I like Tuborg best. But what I like the bestest are the bags of chips.

Drinking responsibly with the parents. CHEERS!

Of course, we gotta hit the souvenir shop.

Cool statement shirts

Beers, beers, everywhere

These life-size elephant statues (there’s another on the left not seen in photo) guard the main gates of Carlsberg Brewery. Why elephants? Because they are very strong and trustworthy animals, and they have long life.

Lunch is at Restaurant Cassiopeia
Erwin, Me, Frances, Douglas, Florence, Felisse, Ernest, Uncle Frank

Diners enjoy a fine view of the beautiful Skt. Jørgen Lake

And here’s another fine view. Ha ha ha.
The Fatterside cousins with Auntie Melinda and Uncle Victor.

Bread and butter Potato Soup

Meatballs and Potatoes Chocolate Cake

Auntie Atis and her Tabasco addiction

Next we go to the Christianborg Palace which also houses the Danish Parliament. We walk through the Royal Reception Rooms, but the Queen works here so we are asked to wear blue plastic covers over our shoes and are prohibited from taking photos.

So there, we just do what we can do – a photo in front of King Christian IX's statue.

On the way to our next destination, Nyhavn, I notice the city is full of Mercedes Benz taxis

The Memorial Anchor

Huskies on steroids!

Cowboys and errr… dogs?

I so love my adoptive family! Smile

Nyhavn, or New Harbor, is a 17th century waterfront. It was originally a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock. The area teemed with sailors,
ladies of pleasure, pubs and alehouses.

For lazy people who do not wish to walk, there’s the canal tour for you.

Nyhavn is now lined with brightly colored 17th and early 18th century townhouses,
bars, cafes and restaurants. We enjoy hot chocolate in one of them cafes.