Chapter 2: Copenhagen in The Nordic Region: Norden
Copenhagen, Denmark
07.20.2023 - 07.20.2023 66 °F
View Fjords on paulej4's travel map.
Chapter 02: Copenhagen and Environs
Thursday, July 20, 2023
We arrive only fifteen minutes late at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport at 7:15am local time. I got a solid five hours of sleep, B4 slightly less as she opted to watch the movie: "Women Talking." (We both recommend it)
Because we opted to arrive here a couple of days prior to the beginning of our cruise, Silversea declined to provide the promised pre-paid ground transport from the airport. No worry; we hop into a taxi for the 5-mile, 10-minute, $25 dollar trip to the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel. Surprised to see bright sun, a check at AccuWeather telegraphs their forecast: "Expect showery weather Thursday morning through Saturday afternoon." It's Thursday morning now. Reading further: "Rain starting in 34 minutes."
Of course, as we anticipated, our room is not available for check-in at this early hour nor did our requested Suite Upgrade clear. So, we check our bags with the bellman and head out. It's July but the average high temperature is unable to crack 70 degrees. The older I get, the colder I get; so for me, that means a jacket.
Depending upon the rain, this is a good day to begin outside the city. A short 35-minute train trip from nearby Central Station, Hillerod Fredricksburg Slot ("Slot" in Danish is "Castle" or "Palace" in English) is referred to by some as the Danish Versailles and, by most everyone, as the most impressive castle in all of Scandinavia—the place from which for over 400 years all of Scandinavia was ruled--until as recently as 1814. The Chapel is, well, amazing. We spent a couple of hours touring the castle but history buffs could make more than a day out of this place.
One item of note is that the written word and its pronunciation here do not fall favorably upon my ear. During the train ride in a clean, modern and well run, albeit graffiti covered car, we see the name of the stops on the platform signs but cannot reconcile the written signs with the car's accompanying public address system pronunciation. I suspect learning the language here would be beyond my reach. Thankfully, English is widely spoken here.
Back in Copenhagen, I must have a world famous Copenhagen cheeseburger at the Gasoline Grill. I simply must. Consider this as confirmation of my highly unsophisticated pallet. For food that's more local but pedestrian, try Tarteletter chicken torts. If you are pressed for time, the most often seen street food is Pølser: a hot dog.
B4's walking capabilities are hampered by a bad leg--a nagging problem that aggressively raised its ugly head today. So, we're taking taxi rides and the one after lunch marks the end of our day. We're both jet lagged anyway. Back at the Marriott at 2:30, they have finally gotten a room cleaned and ready for us. Even though we know better and shouldn't, we nap.
Some common Danish words and phrases for us to master include:
Undskyld - Excuse me;
Farvel - Goodbye;
Hvad hedder du? - What's your name?
Frankly, I don't think I will be capable of the pronunciation and inflections required to ask anyone their name.
