I made a spontaneous decision to go to Copenhagen this day. The train/ferry crossing featured many wind farms, predictably.
Luckily, the hostel had one free bed out of 270. It was called Bellahøj, serenely situated beside a bog (according to the promotional website). Pity about the 16-bed dorms...
The city is filled with fantastical statues. One, in the main square, seems to be a lion mauling a dragon, while some little draglets piddle in excitement.
The most trendy canal-side area is called Nyhavn. Following this down to the harbourside, there's a niceish walk, although i wished the city bike scheme was not so competitive. I headed for the Gefion fountain, but unfortunately it was being renovated. At least there was a fountainous park with strange pillars.
Here's a view from the Rundetårn (round tower) showing the corkscrew-like Vor Frelsers Kirke (more on this in a moment) and the new bridge to Sweden. Halfway up the spiral 'road' that leads up the tower, there is a modern art gallery. The current exhibition had dangly bits, flat(ish) things and other contrasts.
I was intrigued by Vor Frelsers Kirke's exo-skeletal staircase. On the way up you get to see its hand-made guts which spring into action every 15 mins. Here is the view back towards Rundetårn (hint: it's the square thing). Also over the harbour and over Christiania. I wandered briefly in Christiania, but they (understandably) ask tourists not to take photos within the main streets. Here's a superficial look at some of the creative energy oozing out of the place. Leaving Christiania is "entering the E.U." (note recent government threats [EXTERNAL LINK]).
The Danish Design Centre is nothing if not cool. It has strange,
self-contained, colour-and-motion fashion statements (photo). It has a
chronology of industrial design. It has a zen supermarket which stocks
responsibility, freedom, flow, and other products... or maybe it's a
revolutionary movement; decide for
yourself [EXTERNAL LINK]. Finally, the DDC has a bike museum. For example, here's a
simple design with a suspended seat.
There are many more.
One day, following a roaring sound, I stumbled on an energetic but
generally well-behaved crowd
watching Denmark v Sweden on a big screen. It was like a gelatinous substance*
controlled by the game. Eventually the built-up energy was released
with an explosion.
* note this shot features Coca Cola,
7-Eleven and Burger King. McDonalds is just around the corner.
To try the local specialty, I ordered pickled herring. It turned out to be a buffet, featuring 10 different kinds of pickled herring, and very little else. That was a challenging meal. A much more approachable option is the city plate from the open-air Nytorv Restaurant. Yum!
The library is a relaxed place, and has free internet in the new "black diamond" extension. The old section has a garden with roses, lawns, and Kierkegaard.