OM NOM NOM NOM.! (or just simply 'Gastro-tales')

When I was in Copenhagen, my meals were paid for by the company.  So eating was not a problem. Halal food was quite easy to find and if there is none, seafood are a plenty and I can eat at any fancy restaurants I wanted because (again) it's all paid for. So my colleague and I went on an eating spree in town everyday after work.

One thing that we notice is that the food portion here is twice the size of Malaysian portion. As we all like to say it - 'Portion Mat Saleh'. (Tapi diorang pun tak habis makan gak aku tengok.) Most of the time we could not finish the food on our plates and in the end felt guilty about leaving leftovers behind. So we tried our very best to try to finish  up our plates before we up and leave.

A Scandanavian meal consists of a few types of fishes and bread

One time, while I was finishing my meal, my friend-colleague commented, "Dyanna, you surely can eat a lot! You are not like other girls that I know who eats very little." And at that point I don't know what to say. I know what he said was true because I realised that in many occasions I had finished food on the plate more times than he did. I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a criticism?

I guess there is a reason for it.

Eating is a favorite past-time for Malaysians. Those who are blessed with good health are fortunate enough to indulge in all their likings, but we must be wise and not to over indulge too much that it may bring harm in the near future.

This is one of my many weakness. When I like something, I'd binge on it if I have the chance. Desserts especially.

Mmm-mmm... nomnomnom

When I was growing up, I remember the excitement of balik kampung because my mom, aunts and my grandma will go all out making feasts for the big family gathering- ayam percik, mee rojak, nasi dagang, nasi kerabu, laksam, etc. They were and still are the best food in the world. Eating was fun when there's a lot of cousins and family around. Comments like, "Bagus, makan banyak2." (Good, eat more.), is normally heard because I was a scrawny kid back then. Some even suggested me to take multivitamins from my doctor cousin to put some meat into these bones of mine, but I didn't. and was fortunate because the others who took those vits now have excess meat on their bones..

Om nom nom!

Boarding school and college didn't curbed my appetite. Now I get to know more food that's totally different from my native palate, those that came from South, West, Mid West of Malaysia. The hunger pang that comes during night study sessions open doors for late night suppers. Now I'm eating 6 times a day! Having a competition with mates on who could eat more was a fun filling (pun intended) activity.

Nom! Nom! NOM!

Going to university, changed my normal feeding schedule 180 degrees. I had to cook for myself. Having no past experience as how to even cook rice was not helping at all. Eating out was not an option because nothing was cheap except for raw chicken. So I was forced to cook and feed myself. But by the time I graduate, I'm proud to say I can whip almost anything on the kitchen stove (as long as there is recipes on the Internet). So ladies or mums who are worried sick because you or your daughter can't cook, just try sending yourself or your daughter to a place where she is forced to cook, then she'll come back with the confidence of Jamie Oliver. Believe me, everybody can cook.

Om om nom nom

So back to Uni time. I'd have a light breakfast or none at all. Then have a sandwich or fruits for lunch. Heavy food comes later during dinner. I'll have a chocolate bar or crisps in between meals if I'm hungry.

But when there's a makan-makan session like Hari Raya, Jamuan bersama Menteri, etc (This is something that every hungry undergrad students looks forward to), where postgrad families have cook-off (figuratively speaking), I'd definitely start filling up until it hurts to walk.

nom..nom..nom

When I started working I'm back on a normal eating schedule thanks to the good people of Mot that sponsored most of our meals, free breakfast, free rice and cheap lunch in the cafeteria (can you believe a hot place costs only RM2.80??! At Jusco it's RM4.80!!), free tea break and sometimes (5-6 times a year) you'll be treated lunch or dinner at hotels or fancy restaurants as a token of appreciation. And this is where the kiasu part comes in...

We've been pushed to the extremes at work, working over time and all, so this is the best opportunity for pay back time! You have to eat as much as you can to squeeze out all that 'appreciation' from the ones who are paying for your food (i.e boss/company). If you don't eat or eat little you'll lose and the company wins. And also eating with guys will make you eat more competitively. The point is, you'll eat until your stomach hurts.

OM NOM NOM NOM!!!111!!

So that was my full length explanation about my gastro-adventures and the expandability of it's capacity. After all this talk about food, I think I should start exercising.

A compliment or criticism? Meh.

CPH... Exploring Copenhagen (extended)

 My flight was scheduled at 2pm and I had to be at the airport at 12pm. Since the airport is just nearby (like 15 minutes drive), I decided to go out for a bit since I haven't been able to do some shopping (it is Sommer Udsalg 'Summer Sale' , would be crazy to miss it) for myself and family back home.

I left the hotel at 9am and since most of the shops only start to open at 10, I stopped by the City Hall and and went to see the Astronomical Clock.
 

1. Astronomical Clock & City Hall

Jens Olsen designed this mechanical clock. This is a very special clock, it's not just some ordinary clock that show not just the local time, but also the solar time, sunrise and sunset times, Gregorian calendar, migration of orbits and celestial poles and segala mak nenek astronomical things. Very fancy I tell you! Not easy to create a mechanical thing that is so precise, I bet a lot of heavy duty calculations and manufacturing to the highest precision needs to be made. Just 'Wow!'.

The City Hall itself is a colourful and spacious building.

Clockwise fom top right: Astronomical clock front, mechanical gears, City Hall interior, more gears, floor air vent, clock from behind, City Hall exterior.

2. Udsalg!

This is where I actually wanted to go! ha ha ha... managed to do shopping in 1.5 hours and rushed back to the hotel, freshen up and ciao. Goodbye Copenhagen! Farvel Kobenhavn!

CPH... Exploring Copenhagen (2 of 2)

1. Canal Tour (9.30am)

I started my second day of Copenhagen city tour early. When a city has a long history of sea commerce and harbours, it would make sense to take a canal tour. I set myself towards Gammel Strand (The old fishermen's village) where there's a DFDS Canal Tours (http://www.canaltours.com) ticket office and bought the first boat trip out. With the Copenhagen Card, I got a 20% ticket discount.

I've choosen to take the guided tour because it's easier and you know what you're looking at and where you are because the guide will explain everything. The tour takes only 1 hour to cover the water side of Copenhagen - from the canals up to the Little Mermaid statue (but we all know she's out this summer ;)

From top right (clockwise): Slotsholmens Island, Stock Exchange, Bishop Absalon, Woman Fish Seller, Gammel Strand Canal, Public square.

The tour starts at Gammel Strand, next to Slotsholmens Canal. From here, a number of popular historical buildings could be seen; The Stock Exchange, Christiansborg Palace and the public square. This used to be the old fish market and trading settlement where Copenhagen was originally founded. There's a statue of Bishop Absalon, founder of the city and also of a women who once sells fishes there.

From top right (clockwise): Operaen, Nyhavn, Amalienborg & Kirken, Christiansbro Canal, Nyhavn Canal.

I was brought back to Nyhavn again, but now on water and the viewing angle is now different from the days before. Everything is so quiet early on Sunday morning. Along the way we passed Amalienbog, Operaen, the National Library; also known as the Black Diamond (a library with an interesting name, how cool is that?) becasue the polished black granite walls reflects the water and makes it sparkle like a diamond. I've also met a familiar face that I've seen so many times when I was in Florence, standing idly by the canal side staring intently at something - a copy of Michelangelo's David.

From top right (clockwise): Frelsers Kirker, the Black Diamond, flower pots, David, old bridge, office, Christiansbro

And again I was brought back to Christiansbro where Christiania was. The tour guide said she will not mention anything about Christiania because of the nature of the activity there, so we just enjoyed the scenery. Not bad actually. Quaint little apartments with flower pots (not that kind of POT), and own boats docked outside. I guess these people must've been posh and rich to own their own boats... I'd like to have a boat too please!

2. Christiansborg Palace and Slotsholmen (10.45 am)

The tour ended at where I started, Slotsholmen island. I proceeded towards Christianborg Palace, which was like 40 feet away. The palace used to be the palace for Danish Kings. Now it houses the Parliament, Reception room, library and many more. Did you know that the castle was destroyed by fire twice and the reason of both fires was because of the overheated kitchen oven? De ja vu. I also went underground to look at the ruins, or base of the original Absalon's castle. Dark and creepy.

Just outside of the Palace there's the royal library with a nice garden. Just next to it sits the Danish Jewish Museum. A quick stop to have a look inside and see antique artifacts left from the past. The Jews only came to Denmark about 4 centuries ago by the invitation from the King for economic purposes and the museum displays keepsakes and items used during religious processions of the small Jewish community in Denmark.

Clockwise from top right: Christiansbro Palace grounds, corridor with arches, side profile of the palace, Royal Library, distance perception of crown, Danish Jewish Museum.

3. Thorvaldsens Museum (12.30pm)

Still on Slotsholmen island, I walked to the nearby Thorvaldsens Museum. It is an unmissable building colored in bright yellow. The building is dedicated to Bertel Thorvaldsens, a Danish sculpture artist who was given a scholarship by the country to study sculpturing in Rome and it houses a number of his works such as paintings and especially his marble sculptures.

I had a banana and an apple for lunch in front of this plaza below:

Clockwise from top right: Spot the bicycle, plaza, Thorvaldsen's sculptures, Thorvaldsen's Museum side wall, another marble wall sculpture.

4. The National Museum (1pm)

This is the national Museum of Denmark. I particularly wanted to visit this museum because of one thing only, to see the vikings. I've spent my whole morning and the yesterday visiting museums of Danish Kings and Queens and never came across anything further than that. Scandanavians are famous for their vikings origins aren't they?

A two level spacious building with (again) lots of historic things. The displays are arranged in chronological order with early prehistoric items on ground level, more royal Danish, Victorian era and more modern Danish displays on Level 1 and World and Special Exhibition on the Second Level.

True enough I got to see what I wanted, Viking helmets and Viking tools behind glass displays, but I was a little bit disappointed, maybe because I was expecting a large scale diorama set. Anyway, you can always go to Roskilde (which is about half an hour's drive from Copenhagen) to see Viking ships.

Clockwise from top right: National Museum Entrance, National Museum side profile, old money and horns, a stall donated by Christiania society, room of mirrors, hallway, Viking helmet.

5. Copenhagen ByMuseum (3pm)

Next museum stop is the Copenhagen Bymuseum at Vesterbrogade.Like many other museum this one also stores a lot of antiques and photographs from the past and also a room full collection of bicycles. I only stopped here for about 45 minutes before heading to a briyani shop that's located nearby. Man, I'm so famished!

Clockwise from top right: Copenhagen Bymuseum, bicycles!, FRAK YOU! modern graffiti, wall map of Denmark, Vestebrogade Road, Old Copenhagen in miniature.

6.Rundetaarn (6pm)

Rundetaarn (The Round Tower) is Europe's oldest functioning observatory used by scholars and astronomers to study the stars.

To reach to the top, a lot of effort is required because there is no elevator, so you have to walk to reach there. Not to worry, there are a couple of stops in the between where you can take a rest either at the Library Hall or the Bell Loft. If you have a good sense, you better walk close to the inner wall because the length is shorter than walking near the outer wall.

When I reached the top, a storm is picking up (it shows how slow I walked) and the wind was blowing strong. However the view from the top is amazing and yet scary, looking at those dramatic dark clouds looming over Copenhagen. I didn't stayed long in fear of being struck by lightning. So down I go.

Clockwise from top right: Rundetaarn built by Christian IV, metal frame, Round Tower, storm clouds and rain over some parts of Copenhagen, more steps, view of rooftop, more spirally steps, Winding whitewashed spiral walk, more storm clouds.

There is another place that I went afterward but I didn't took enough pictures to show it mainly because they didn't allow photography (no, I didn't go to Christiana again) unless I paid some fees. It was the Hans Christian Andersen Eventyrhuset. It's like a mini HC Andersen interactive museum where you can listen to his most famous fairy tale stories; The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Emperor's New Clothes and a few more. This guy is an amazing guy, he's a well traveled person and highly imaginative person.

The Danes are very proud of their history, royal families and fairy tales. I once passed a tour group and overheard the tour guide telling his group the story of how the Crown Prince met the Crown Princess is like a fairy tale story. I think that is true. How lucky she is.

Alright, by this time you would have guessed that this city is a museum city. I've been binge-ing on museums ever since yesterday and I'm still not tired of it all ;P

I will be leaving for Bangkok and then KL in next day, but there's still a few more stops to make.....

CPH... Exploring Copenhagen (1 of 2)

(I think I have more blogging time in CPH than at home. I wonder why-lah...?)

* Author's note: If the readers are planning to go to Copenhagen and only have a short time to spend over there, this post is to guide you on places to go in that short period of time (2-3 days). This is based on my experience and you can alter it according to your interest.

However, you will not be guaranteed to be free of any exhaustion, dehydration and muscle pain. Be wise and stop to relax if you feel any physical discomfort.
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If you are a 'light' museum buff like me, you'll definitely appreciate the Copenhagen Card and what it has to offer :-
- free access to 60 museums and attractions in the entire metropolitan area
- discounts on boat tours, food and dining, etc.
- free transport by s-tog (train), bus and Metro

You could either choose a 24 hour card (DKK 229) or a 72 hour card (DKK459) from the Tourist Information office.

A careful plan is needed to fully utilise this card to the max. Even though the sun is still up until 9pm during summer time, most places are only open from 10am to 4pm. The bus, S-tog and Metro map routes must be in handy to plan your journey from one place to another.

Although I only have the weekends to spend (48 hrs), I decided to get myself a 72 hour card because it's much more cheaper and I believed I can squeeze everything in that short period of time.

Day 1

1. Start at the Kastellet (Copenhagen Citadel).
The Kastellet used to be the soldier's barracks. The area is surrounded by a moat shaped like a star. Nearby, there is the Museum of Danish Resistance. Inside there are collections of memorabilia of the past mainly during the the Occupation of Denmark in between 1940-45. You should know that The Germans occupied Denmark and silently there were a number of resistance initiatives against them. What moved me the most was the display of original hand-written letters from captured freedom fighters to their loved ones bidding love, thanks and goodbyes while waiting for their impending death sentence.

2. Walked to Gefion Fountain (just opposite the Danish Resistance Museum)

The fountain depicts the mythical story of the creation of Zealand. The Swedish King Gylfe had promised the Goddess Gefion as much territory as she could plough in one day and one night. Resolutely, she turned he four sons into oxen, and the territory they ploughed out of the earth was thrown into the sea to form the island of Zealand.

Gefion statue

Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid) statue is supposed to be just nearby, but she's currently on vacation herself in Shanghai for the World Expo. What's in her place is now a temporary TV screen that shows a live feed of her in the exhibition booth in China.

Mermaid is under exchange program --> www.mermaidexchange.com

3. Amalienborg

By noon time, I'm already at Amalienborg to catch the Changing of Guards that happens everyday at noon time. Amalienborg is the royal couple's winter residence and across the square there's the Frederik's Church and opposite of it is the harbour and the new opera house, Operaen.

There are two Royal Apartments that are open to the public and in here I learned a little bit about the current Danish Royal Family and the highlight of this palace is the head of the country, Queen Margarethe.

Amalienborg, Kirken, Operaen

4. Rosenborg Slot

At 3pm, after admiring the Queen's collections and crushing for the dashing Crown Prince, I'm off to Rosenborg Slot and Gardens. This used to be King Christian's IV summer castle. The garden is vast and a lot of colourful summer flowers decorates the lawn. And as always there's a huge number of crowds having picnics, sun bathing, playing or just relaxing around the lawn.

Roserborg Slot and Gardens

The palace itself houses numerous royal treasures from the past. Paintings of numerous Kings and Queens, tapestries, silver wares, chandeliers, furniture and an exquisite ancient mechanical clock that is still ticking. I decided to stay around until 4pm just to watch this 400 hundred year old clock rings when it reaches the hour. Just enchanting to watch small little figures turning around curtsying in front of the king and all.

The antique clock

5. Statens Museum for Kunst

A block away is Denmark's National Gallery. A fly-by visit because it was going to close in 45 mins. I just quickly went through paintings gallery, sculptures gallery, photography gallery and etc. Basically this is a place where modern arts meets past arts. If you ask me, I prefer the works of Impressionist rather than the unfathomable modern art.

6. Stroget & Kongens Nytorv

I left The National Gallery with an empty stomach and headed towards Stroget, which is the backbone of Copenhagen and where the original shopping center for Copenhagen. I grabbed a bite in one of the street cafe and watched the world go by with their shopping bags.

As I walked along Stroget towards Kongens Nytorv, I found small treasures along the way such as my favorite ice-cream - Ben & Jerry's Cheery Garcia :) street performers and small open air concerts for the Jazz Festival that's currently on-going around the city.

Cafes, shops, music, hunks and Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia - The best way to spend an evening.

7. Tivoli Park and Gardens

Tivoli is the oldest amusement park in the world. It first opened in 1843 and is still going strong until today.

Well, although the entrance is free with Copenhagen Card, you still have to buy tickets if you want to play on rides. Each ticket costs 10DKK and some rides needs 3 tickets (like the roller coaster).

Fun rides at Tivoli.

It made sense to visit Tivoli at the very end of the day because the place closes at midnight and what's more interesting is that there's a copy of The Little Mermaid at Tivoli lake and fireworks display at midnight on Saturdays!

Tivoli Gardens and fireworks at midnight.

Helsingør... at the tip of Northeast Zealand

"At the seaward approach to Øresund lies the town of Helsingør (also known as Elsinore) with the magnificent Kronborg Castle and stunning view of Sweden across the Sound."

Although there are a lot of castles in Denmark, Kronborg Castle* is on top of my 'must visit' list when I'm here, because of two reasons:-

i) It is listed down in the UNESCO World Heritage List
ii) It is THE castle made famous by Shakespeare in his tragedy masterpiece, Hamlet.

[*for location, refer to my map in previous entry]

Even Twilight fever has hit Denmark!

It's only an hour's train ride from København Central Station to Helsingør. I bought a 24hour ticket which costs DKK125, which is a convenience because it's cheaper than a two way ticket to Helsingør and I could use it to travel within the cities itself.

Kronborg Castle from the train station

Once alighted from the train and exited the station, it's fairly easy to spot my next destination. Kronborg castle is visible from a distance and so I walked there (as does everyone else).

While walking, I passed the outer skirts of Helsingør town, which seems very quaint and charming. The town is well preserved with its worn cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. Can't help but to have this song in my head - Little town (though it's not a French village, but still have the same effect).






Reached Kronbrog 15-20 minutes later and was greeted by the sound of guards and horses charging around. I thought, "Well, great, there's a show!", but it actually turned out to be just sound recordings :P

Besides being in named Shakespeare's Hamlet and UNESCO list's, Kronborg is also one of the largest Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. This can be seen from the external walls and towers architecture.


If the exterior is grand, the interior is nothing less than that, but you have use your imagination to see how it was back in the golden days, because the castle was destroyed by fire in the 17th hundreds and much was spoiled by the ravages of war booty against Sweden, even the marble tiles were picked and taken away! What was left was the spacious halls, ceiling paintings and fireplaces (which obviously those people were not able to take). In the present, most of the tapestries, paintings and other decorations were brought from other museums.


Since the 14th hundreds, the Danish Kingdom spread far over both sides of the Sound. The King built a fortress at the narrowest point of The Sound and monitored all the ships that passed this narrow straits. From here the King's men made sure all ships that passed, have to pay dues to the King. This is how much of the wealth (back then) was generated for the King's treasury. There are a lot of cannons lined up the walls that faces the Sound, any ship that didn't put down their sails or declined to pay the toll will be fired at. The Kronborg fortress wall itself is fortified with high and thick walls for defense during an attack.


Yawn...! This history lesson must be really boring. I'll take you back to Copenhagen in the next post, but can't promise no more history lessons ;P

(click on pictures for larger images)

CPH... walk, walk and wal till legs are like jelly.

I was ill last weekend. This weekend; masa untuk balas dendam! Intensive exploration to be done, Copenhagen here I come! At the end of Sunday, I basically exhausted the camera battery and my own legs are screaming in pain. Now, I don't know where to start with and what pictures to share..?

Let's start here..

I bought a 72 hours Copenhagen card. This is a special card that gives free access to most of the museums, free transportation and many other offers for 72 hours. It costs, DKK 459 and if you're a museum freak, you'll have to get this card when you're in CPH.
I'll drop off some collages first since it's quite late now a(1.45am!) and I need to pack my bags for my return flight sigh :( tomorrow. I think this will be my last post from Copenhagen. Details would have to wait..

From top right (clockwise): Amalienborg, Frederiks Kirkern, Kastellet, Rosenborg, Changing of Guards, Gefion Spring Vandet.

Tivoli!

From top right (clockwise): Rundertarn, Kobenhavn Bymuseum, National Museum, Thorvaldsens Museum, Christianborg Slot, Gammel Torv, Hans Christian Andersens, Tivoli (again), Copenhagen from above, Christianborg, Den Lille Hafrue.

Farvel København...

CPH... alternative route

Today is our last day at CPH Mot office. Two weeks of work, we integrated, we disintegrated, we get stressed out, we found a solution, we hit a brick wall, we went around the wall, we were up to each others' nerves and we made jokes out of each other and laugh at our silliness.

At the end of the last day, the four of use decided to go out and celebrate our two weeks of hard work. Drove from Glostrup to Copenhagen and parked at the hotel. Walked for 15 mins to Stroget and found a cafe. The food took ages to be served (we were starving), but we had a good chat while waiting.

After dinner, we walked back again using a different route. Through Christianhavn. (All taken using mobile phone).

Walked... past through the Christianborg.

Then past the Dansk Jødisk Museum

Then crossed a bridge towards Christianhavn.

Christianhavn is a working class area in Copenhagen. It's quite snug.

Walked some more past the Church Frelser Kirke

Walked further and reached the ugly part of Copenhagen...

And finally here, where the guys wanted to go the freetown of Christiania. It's a 'groovy and "funky"' infamous place if you know what I mean... no pictures allowed beyond this point. If you think Amsterdam got some cool hash cafe houses in town, then this is a village of hash houses and many more. (Don't tell my mom I went here).

We went through the free town and to me, it's a stark difference compared to the surrounding places of Copenhagen. Can't believe such a place existed in this efficient town. As we leave the pot-filled-air village, a sign placed on top of the exit says, "You are entering the EU now". lol.

We walked back to the hotel and pass this symmetrical view of the hotel upon the lake water.

CPH... an introduction

I am sorry, I've been rude to you.

In the past few posts, I've just throw stories and pictures about CPH without much introduction. Entah apekebende CPH ni?

CPH is the flight destination short for CoPenHagen. CPH is the capital for the Kingdom of Denmark. And yes, Denmark has a Royal Family and may I say His Royal Highness Crown Prince is very dashing and handsome prince :)

That was off-topic, now back to Denmark. The country is made up of a few islands and a part of the Europe mainland. The country shares borders with Sweden (where IKEA originated) and Germany (the wunderbar football team in World Cup). The map below will show a clear picture where CPH is in Denmark.



There is a story about a beggar lady who was given ploughland the size of four oxen by a King who ruled the lands which is now Sweden as reward for entertaining him. She took the oxen and set the to plow. The plow cut so wide and so deep that the land loosened and drew out into sea. The torn up land is now separated by water. There she set the land for good and called it Zealand. This is island where CPH is located.

And below is an enlarged map of Copenhagen itself. The city sits next to the sea and there are a number of small islands divided by canals. Although separated, the infrastructure is very good and each of these islands are connected to each other via bridges and also underground metro.

Denmark is a Scandanavian country, way up in northern Europe. I was talking with my friend 'Lucky' earlier and she says it's very hot in Germany 38'C. But in CPH, the max temp is only around 25-ish.. and if it's cloudy, it can go a bit lower. I guess it's the geographic location of CPH that's by the sea and up north makes it slightly cold.

The people in Denmark are called Danes and they speak Danish. Although not everyone in Denmark is blonde, but from my observation I think they come with variation of blondes; dark blonde, light brown, platinum blonde... however the HRH Crown Prince is not blonde. Which is fine anyways.

The currency is the Danish Kroner (which I think means Crown). And at this moment, the exchange rate is 1DKK = RM2. To put the value into perspective, a bottle of carbonated cola is 17DKK, which in Msia only sells RM2.50 a bottle. A lot of things are marked up because tax is implemented on each sales item by 25%.

Yes tax is high. I was told the income tax is around 45%. But you could see the tax benefits the public. Education from the lowest to university is free. Health care is free. A MOT colleague told me he was diagnosed with cancer, but it's gone now after going through cancer treatment all been paid for. The public transportation system is very good. There's trains, buses and underground metro. A 12 km train ride to Glostrup (MOT office) from CPH takes 17 minutes. The condition of these transports are very impressive; cushioned seats, clean, tv, aircond, small transmitter, and free internet on the train!

Famous people from Denmark includes the Vikings (but now they put their viking boats in the garage and their viking hats with horns on the shelf), Hans Christian Andersen (the fairy tale writes - Little Mermaid, Ugly Duckling), Niels Bohr (they physicist who discovered the atom structure), Caroline Wozniacki (the WTA tennis player), Micheal Learns to Rock. However, Nora Danish and my cousin Danish Anakin is not a Dane.

Alright, I think that's enough education for tonight. I hope we all know more about Denmark now... NEXT, more pictures tomorrow :))

CPH... Nyhavn

Going overseas always appeals to me. I like traveling. But business trips overseas are the worst kind of travel there is. You got sent away to a different land and made to work in a foreign office under a tight schedule and under a lot of scrutiny from all levels peers, managers and managers' managers.

This is my second week and after a week of progress, this time I think I've come up to a brick wall.

I can't think about it anymore. So let's show some pictures...

This is the view from my hotel room. I'm staying on the 18th floor. On a clear day I could see Sweden across the sea (I think). And on a clear night, you can still see some rays of sun from the horizon. Click on the pic to see a bigger size pic. This size just doesn't do justice to it.


A few minutes walk away from the hotel is a Metro (Underground train) station, where I took a train to Kongens Nytorv and headed towards Nyhavn (New Harbour). This is a very popular tourist place. Colourful building lined up both sides of the canal and in one of the building, Hans Christian Andersen used to lived.


Nyhavn is the spot to have lunch/dinner. Most of the houses are now restaurants, and crowds of people are everywhere.

Walking towards the end of Nyhavn, I could see at the other side of land is the Royal Opera House. That shiny metal building. It was built by a rich business man (Merck cargo owner) for the Royal Danish family. At the far left are buildings from the old navy base. And if your eyes are sharp to notice, you'll see wind turbines at the back. Wind turbines provides a portion of the electricity to the city and they're placed far, far away on the sea because the blades makes a loud noisy "WHoooSSHH!" sound.

Nyhavn at sunset.