Neither of us slept too well last night so were awake well before the alarm went off at 7 a.m. We had enough time to have our last fix of Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and maple syrup. Our Captain managed to make up the two hours so arrived in Copenhagen on time. We debarked at 9 a.m. and found the taxi lineup. The first one refused to take us because we had so much luggage! We got to our hotel about 9:30 a.m. and checked in our luggage. Our room would not be ready until 2 p.m. After a quick chat with the concierge and a city map in hand we set out to explore. We decided to walk to Fredericksberg Palace and its extensive grounds. Also, we wanted to wander the streets to see the only houses in Copenhagen. Everyone else lives in apartments. This was a wealthy area near the Palace something like our Rockcliffe Park. On the way, we noticed a small store selling binoculars and high-quality clothing. Norma suggested we go in to look. She immediately spotted a stuffed toy that looked suspiciously like a Norwegian Fiord Pony. We asked the clerk if it was one but he wasn't sure. She decided to pass on it because it was made in China not a Scandinavian country. Meanwhile, I spotted a few lovely pottery birds, three razorbills (a lifer for me on this trip) that would look perfect with my kitchen window collection. Turns out they were made by the head of the Danish Ornothological Society and that is why they were so authentic looking. He had passed away ten years ago and they were selling them for his widow and only had a few left. For some reason, I didn't succumb then and we continued on our way. By the time we headed back, I decided to buy one. Now I have a great souvenir, too. We also discovered a beautiful lighting store with chandeliers and lamps made from thin veneers of birch, copper, paper, and plastic. The chandeliers reminded of the first one I bought for our house. It was of teak and at Halloween, Warren and I decorated it to look like a Jack'o'lantern.
Copenhagen reserves sidewalks for pedestrians and has an extensive system of bike lanes. They are on the same level as the sidewalks but have a different pavement. A couple of times we were yelled at and were nearly wiped out before we figured out the system. Bicycles wait at the pedestrian crosswalks when the light is red. We hardly saw anyone jay-walking.
We returned to our hotel about 1:45 and registered. We asked for our luggage to be sent to our room. It was to arrive in five minutes. After an hour of waiting, I called the front desk to inquire. I called again after another fifteen minutes. I called again after another ten and said if it wasn't there in five minutes, I'd be down to pick it up myself! Four minutes later a harried bellboy rang our doorbell. I told him that was the longest five minutes I had ever experienced. Turns out it had been delivered to the wrong room and then they couldn't remember which room.
We grabbed a few things and set out again, this time to the Rosenborg Have, a former palace where the Crown Jewels are kept. On the way, we walked through a section of the city dedicated solely to pedestrian and bicycle traffic and a range of shopping from low to very high end. Buskers were in abundance and the streets were very crowded. We passed by The Round Tower, one of the oldest buildings here. We were much too tired to even think about climbing it. We returned to our hotel room at 5 p.m. We had been on our feet for six hours. I even had to stop to bandage a blister. On arrival in our room, we noticed a fresh fruit basket with some. Trail mix and chocolates had been delivered. We think it was delivered as an apology for the delay in getting our luggage. Or maybe it was delivered to the wrong room too! Too late, since we hadn't had lunch, we dug in.
Other than a brief heavy rain shower, the weather is beautiful - 28 degrees Celsius and sunny with just a hint of a cooling breeze every now and again. Norma's beads came through again!
We have decided to order room service tonight and go to bed early. Plane tomorrow.
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