Friday, June 10, 2016

6/10–Copenhagen boat ride

We sleep straight through until fairly late (for us) in the morning. Then get organized and up and out to wander and find coffee.  The hotel has a buffet breakfast, but we’re not interested in that. They also have coffee downstairs at the reception desk, so we order cappuccinos, which are cheaper, but also smaller, than the corner cafe.

After our caffeine fix, we move out to explore Nyhavn, scoping out restaurants for this evening.  It is not as nice a day as yesterday, it was pouring when we woke up, then clear blue skies, now the clouds are back and threatening.  So, we meander around the harbor, looking at the cafes, and generally heading in the direction of the water bus that can take us to the Street Food market across the river.

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We find the water bus, and I chat with the girl running it. We find out the ticket price (which is pricey – like $4 US – for just going across the river!), and ask about the schedule. Then she tells me that we should think about a harbor cruise, she guides for one of the companies and recommends we do that because it is a much better deal than just using the water bus.  Plus her company offers tours at half the price of the other competing company (40 DKK)  – and it is the same tour.  Hmmm…that might be something we can do this morning. 

So, on her advice, we walk back down the harbor to the little white “house” to see about taking the tour.  The next couple of departures are open boats, and we’re a little worried about the skies opening up with no protection out on the water. We find out that the next covered boat will leave at 11:30 which is perfect for our time table.

Now we have an hour or so to kill, and while we had originally decided not to eat breakfast, we change our minds and decide to make breakfast our mid day meal.  We score a nice table on the harbor, Ed orders the “brunch” which has tons of meat and I order the eggs which comes with a whole side of bacon.  We’ll be good all day with this feast!

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The food is good, the location great, and we while away our hour watching people and filling up.

At the appointed hour, we go back to the pier, purchase our tickets and hop aboard the little boat. The weather ends up cooperating and we stay outside for the entire 90 minute tour.  IMG_8645IMG_8647

It’s quite a nice tour, with a lovely and informative tour guide. and a great way to see the city from a different perspective.  We pass by a modern looking museum and a condo building converted from a WWII aircraft hanger.  As we wend our way through the different canals, we pass all the house boats – odd, rag tag boats with trailers and bizarre structures put on top of barges – quite a sight.

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We cruise around and out into the main river, and down toward the seaport where there is a beautiful old brick building (can’t remember the history or what it is used for now) with a display of sculptures along the pier.

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Turning back toward town, we see the Celebrity Silhouette at dock then pass by the Little Mermaid with the requisite clutch of tourists climbing all over trying to get photos (much better to view her from this angle than fighting with that crowd).

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Next we pass an old armory warehouse, now used as a museum, then Amalienborg….

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…and finally into Christianhavn – where the  once undesirable area has turned into one of the hottest – and most expensive – places in Copenhagen.  Besides the beautiful buildings, there are also great house boats and ships – and floating bars along the waterway.

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Turning back to town, we sail under the circular bridge with its mast-like structure, past the National museum, past a floating light house boat, and through tight little bridges – where the boat can barely make it through – past the government buildings and finally back to Nyhavn harbor.

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Perfect way to spend our morning in Copenhagen.

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