Friday 29th September 2017 – Copenhagen Day 2

We were up early this morning to find some breakfast before catching the HOHO to the Canal Boat stop. The only trouble was it appears that breakfast here is pastries and coffee. Not much good for a gluten-free diet. Initially, we headed into the city and then on towards where the canal boat leaves from. A few “wild goose chases” say us end up the other-side of Norreport where we found a cute little bakery which had quite a range of GF products. A raisin bun for Jill and a savoury base with a cheese topping for Alex. Found a coffee shop nearby and ended up with quite a satisfactory breakfast.

 There was no need for the HOHO any-more as we were already at the canal boat stop. Before boarding, we digressed slightly to the Lego shop. Thought we might find something in the land of Lego that's not available in Australia. Was a little disappointing actually although they did have some interesting displays and we did pick up a passport for Nate and Christopher.

The boat trip was lovely. So peaceful along canals and the river. Went into the old port of Nyhavn and the along the river as far as the Little Mermaid. Lots of interesting spots along the way including the Opera House, the berth for the Royal Yacht and the Black Diamond.

We then caught the HOHO to Amalienborg Palace just in time to see the changing of the guard Amalienborg is the home of the Danish royal family.  It consists of four identical classical palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard; in the centre of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederick V. Amalienborg was originally built for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace burned on 26 February 1794, the royal family bought the palaces and moved in. Over the years various kings and their families have resided in the four different palaces.  Today, one of them (Moltke’s or Christian VII’s Palace) is fitted up as a guest palace and mainly used for ceremonial purposes. The others are the residences of Queen Margrethe II and her husband Prince Henrik (Schack’s or Christian IX’s Palace) and the Crown Prince Frederik and his wife  Princess Mary (Levetzau’s or Christian VIII’s Palace). If any royalty is in residence a flag will be flying from their palace.  No flags today.  But we were in time to see the Changing of the Guard.  The Danish Royal Guard march from Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg Palace where the ceremony takes place daily at 12 noon.  When the Queen is in residence the guard is accompanied by the Royal Guards music band.

Following the Changing of the Guard, we set off again on foot, past the Marble Church to another HOHO stop and then back into the city centre where we swapped onto the Blue Route and travelled as far a Christiania where we had a wander through Freetown and had a bite to eat for lunch.  What an interesting place!! Freetown is an intentional community and commune of about 850 to 1,000 residents, covering 34 hectares right in the middle of the city.  The area has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971 and was temporarily closed to residents in April 2011 by the Danish government, but later re-opened.  Its cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, relations between Christiania and Danish authorities have been strained. As of 2018 cannabis trade is ongoing and the Danish police officers are in place and do not allow the use or trade of other drugs like cocaine and heroin.  While it was a fascinating spot it was not somewhere one could relax and we were told to be careful of what we photographed.

Before heading back to the bus we called into the Church of Our Saviour where Alex climbed to the top of its 90m helix spire, much of it on an external winding staircase. Just amazing views in every direction. The church is also noted for its carillon, which is the largest in northern Europe and plays melodies every hour from 8 am to midnight,  Fascinating that you were climbing past the bells on the way up.

We intended to finish off the blue route but to our annoyance the bus drove straight past. As that was the last blue route bus of the day we ended up catch the normal HOHO back to the city for the short walk back to the hotel. It's been an exhausting day but we've certainly seen our share of Copenhagen.

Dinner tonight at the Japanese Restaurant next to the hotel. Very nice it was too even if it was a little expensive at A$100. But then everything is expensive in Denmark.