Copenhagen, Denmark

 Today was a segment change or turnaround day, so there was much activity.  Our tour was at 10:30 and we had to go through Danish Immigration before that.  Michael wondered why since we just came from an EU country, but there's no point in questioning.  The weather forecast called for showers all day and it was quite gray and gloomy.  I wondered if we should cancel the tour, but we pushed on and I'm glad we did.  The rain held off and we saw a different side of Copenhagen.  Our tour started with a canal cruise that was really interesting.  I hadn't realized just how many canals there are here.

Not a very good picture, but this building is a giant incinerator.  The sloped roof is actually a ski slope with grass most of the year but sometimes has enough actual snow.

The Opera House

Side view

Very expensive new apartment buildings going up.  

There are lots of low bridges on the canals.  The guide kept reminding people to sit down lest they bang their heads into them.

Beautiful details on some of the bridges.

There really is a sculpture at the bottom of this canal.

The next stop on the tour was Tivoli Gardens, which takes up a huge block in central Copenhagen.  It's a combination of amusement park, gardens, and eating establishments.

A Lego store at the entrance is appropriate since they are a Danish company.

Another interesting manhole cover.

Part of the gardens in Tivoli.

One of the many rides

Wish I knew how to photoshop the crane out of the picture.

The words Deli and Hotdog caught my eye.  I was feeling a bit peckish and we had 30 minutes so I ordered a Deli Special.  Should have looked just a bit closer at the menu.

This was my Deli Special.  Delicious, but not exactly what I was expecting.

Next stop was at the Royal Palace which is a group of 4 seemingly identical (at least from the outside) buildings that house the queen, her 2 sons and families, and one for visiting dignataries.  She wasn't in residence today.  

The guards are modeled after those at Buckingham Palace and those are real guns.

The queen waits here at the water's edge before boarding her Royal Yacht.  There is a separate one for her guests without the crown on top.  Can't imagine why she would have to wait, but that's what it's for.  Perhaps if it's inclement weather.

This is the most photographed street/canal in Copenhagen.

And, of course, there is this little beauty.  And little is meant literally as she's only about 4 feet tall.  People leave "gifts" for her like beaded bracelets and flowers.

There were lots of new faces on board this afternoon.  We were told by Nino and Alessandro that the current passenger count is about 360, which is more than the last segment, but not as much as I think they were expecting a few weeks ago.

Terry Bishop is back and tonight gave a talk on the history of Denmark.  I'm happy he's back as he's so entertaining as well as educational.  Unfortunately, he's only on for this segment.  But he did a fun lecture after dinner on the history of Denmark in 45 minutes.