From Hotel to The Regal Princess

Tivoli Gardens

    We spent our last day in Copenhagen by having a leisurely breakfast and chatting with

Judy And Hans

another couple on the same cruise. We checked out of the hotel, stored our bags and went for an hour walk. We passed the Tivoli Gardens which already had people milling about ready for the opening. Something must have been going on. We went into city hall for a look see, then retraced our steps from yesterday along the shopping pedestrian way. Returning to the hotel we retrieved our luggage and then headed for the Big Red Bus for the third day. Our ticket (buy 1 day get 2 free) was a perfect way to get to the ship as the line dropped us at the Little Mermaid and then a free (for us) shuttle took us right to the ship. Arrival and boarding went quickly. There were very few people waiting in the terminal which was unusual since we arrived right at the appointed time. We learned later that 1000 people were staying on for this leg of the journey. Our “deluxe” cabin has a small settee which is a good place to sit and read. The balcony is so small that you would have trouble “swinging a cat” on it as Judy would say.

    Most of the day was spent relaxing, unpacking, attending the safety lecture and wandering around the ship. We also booked the one tour that we decided to take.

The 7 pm show was a song and dance routine by the cast singers and dancers. The show was 30 minutes long, a cut down in length that we noticed on the last trip. Our set time dining is 7:45.

    They seated us at a table for 2 when we asked for a table of 8. We were able to quickly

Deluxe Balcony

get a bigger table as there were other diners who also wanted a change. Our table has 7 people: 2 Australians and 2 women and a man from California. We all decided that we wanted to stay there for the rest of the cruise. We had the excellent prime rib but one piece would be enough to feed both of us.

    We sailed at 10 pm so none of the shops were opened. By that time it seemed that many had turned in. We are in Aarhus tomorrow (only about 75 miles away as the crow flies. We intend to wander.

Exploring Copenhagen By Bus And Foot

Enjoying a Carlsberg

     Yesterday I left my camera case on the big red bug. It took me a bit of time to figure out how to download the photos since my downloading cord for my new camera was in it. I was eventually able to get the photos to my computer. Anyway here is proof that we did visit the Carlsberg brewery!

Up The Tower

       After a full continental European breakfast at the hotel we were off on the big red bus to the Church of The Savior, one of the oldest churches in Copenhagen. We could not see the interior but the attraction is the 400 steps to the top of the tower. The first half is inside, the last 200 steps are outside. Judy went to the very top but it was crowded so I “sacrificed” and stayed just below. The views of the city were outstanding.

400 Steps

    Our next stop was the Little Mermaid figure. There was a cruise ship in and the figure is close to the cruise port. Needless to say the place was packed and it was impossible to get a clear photo. I settled for some other shots. From that point it was wandering around through some of the shops in the area. Then we headed for the Botanical Gardens. We missed the opening and ended up walking entirely around the fenced area before we could get in. They are across the street from The Rosenborg (King's Castle). We were there before so w did not go in this time. That is just about when is started to rain, something that it did off and on for the rest of the day. Even the Nyhavn canal area was busy but the rain continued to fall. Fortunately we had visited that area the last time. 

View From 400 Steps Up

     We continued to walk through the Stroget Shopping Street. It is a large pedestrian mall that basically crosses the central part of Copenhagen and filled with the better shops. Again it was packed with people. We stopped at a used book shop in the Church Of the Holy Spirit. Judy needed some books to keep her busy on the ship. The church was having an organ recital so we made sure we arrived in time. It was about an hour long and the organist is “world famous”. It is organ music and if you like that heavy organ sound (think Phantom of the Opera) this was for you!

    Finally we stopped Rosie Mcgee's for some pub type food. It was very good and we

At The Nyhan Canal Area

ended up talking to a couple from Arizona who are sailing tomorrow on the Regal. They are the second couple sailing tomorrow.

     The biggest danger the entire time in Copenhagen was to avoid being hit by a bike. The ratio of bikes to people in the city is 5 to 4 and the first bike lanes go back about 100 years. Bike lanes are truly separated from the roadway and they stop lights just like to roads. Over half the population use bikes as their main means of transport. Talk about a bike friendly city.

Tomorrow we head to the ship around noon but the ship doesn't sail until about 10 tomorrow night!

Overnight to Copenhagen

     We had a bit of adventure getting to Copenhagen. Checking into the Air Canada , we again found out that Judy's ticket was correct but for some reason my last name did not have a space in it. We double checked this many times and the documents that we had from Princess was correct but Air Canada insisted that our names be the same. It happen to Judy 2 trips ago and to me last spring. In any case this time there was no problem using the kiosk to check in, then waiteed in a long line that moved fast. The “assistance needed” line went on forever. From the airport drop off through security to the waiting area took about 30 minutes. We boarded our plane and were literally at the back of the plane in the last row #64. The flight itself was a quick 7 hours.

We cleared immigration and boarded the train for the city. We missed the main station because we were not quick enough getting off. So we took a train back but got off at the wrong place and needed another to finally get to the main station. People were very friendly in helping. We finally arrived at our hotel after a short walk! We were early for check in so we left our bags and headed out.

We decided that a 3 hour bike ride in the afternoon might be a bit much after not sleeping so we bought a 3 day ticket for the hop on hop bus. The seller gave us a discount for whatever reason. The price was basically the same as the 24 hour ticket but we can use it to go to the cruise port on Saturday since we have a late sailing.

We took a bus to the Carlsberg brewery. We had been there years ago; did the walking tour and used our entry tickets for a beer. After 2 hours we headed back to the main square. It was still a bit early to head in so we took the mermaid loop bus that lasted about 90 minutes. We stayed on the bus, dozing as the bus stopped 23 times. I think we have a good idea of what to do tomorrow. A quick bit and we were ready to turn in.
    It seems that I have the wrong patch cord for the camera.  No beer drinking photo today.