A few thoughts/memories:
- the cycle culture. There are bikes for Africa in the city, tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of them, ridden by folk of all ages and gender (I assume that to be more than 2!). The orderliness of the cyclists stands out as do the Retro bikes (those with long handlebar stems such that the rider is very upright, if not leaning back slightly), and the cargo box bikes with children sitting in them. Helmets aren’t compulsory and no more than 5% wear them
- the people. It is said that the Danes are the happiest people in the world and while we can’t confirm that we certainly did not meet a bad one. They are easy going and very laid back, folk in the main being dressed very casually and appearing not to be conscious of current style but wearing items that are almost a mismatch on occasions. In fact there was a shop called Miss Match. Having said that label garments on display in high end shops are quite stunning (& costly)
- the absence of Mr Plod on the streets as not one was seen and we saw no more than 6 police cars over the 10 days we were here - perhaps a sign of the lack of crime.
- the absence of beggars or homeless people at least in Centrum and the suburb of our accommodation.
- the price of housing. A 2 floor 103m2 condominium in an apartment block has a price tag of $NZD1.12m with Body Corp fees of $4800 and that is for central city living
- the numerous health conscious eating places be it organic, gluten free or vegan - is there a move to vegetarianism in this part of the world or is it due to the price of meat and/or fish.
- the old lady we chatted to on a couple of occasions in our apartment foyer, a delightful soul who took an interest in where we were from and what we were going to do each day we spoke. In her younger years she toured “the world” performing with her husband as a classical pianist and we heard her playing her piano today. She never got to New Zealand, Australia being the closest “at least 30 years ago”.
- the flatness of the City, one of the most walkable we have visited, there must be hills somewhere but we didn’t see any.
- the style and the colour of the buildings along the iconic waterfront area of Nyhaven.
- the numerous references to Hans Christian Andersen and his fairy tales dotted around the city
- the cost of living. It certainly is not a cheap place to visit.
- the beautiful Danish designed and crafted products displayed in Illum Bolighus and in Royal Copenhagen though it was disappointing to learn that apart from one range all Royal Copenhagen products are made in places like Thailand and Sri Lanka.
- the crowds of tourists and locals filling Stroget from end to end most carrying a shopping bag or three. The crowds being swollen we think, by the fact it is summer holiday time here and also those in town to depart on a cruise boat going up into artic waters.
Onto Malmo Sweden tomorrow by bus to continue our Nordic adventure.
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