Copenhagen Revisited

Nyhavn

Copenhagen has been named one of the most livable cities in the world by the Mercer Quality of Living index. Among the factors considered for this index were infrastructure, transportation, economic and political environment, health and education among others. Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, the happiest country in the world from 2014 through 2016 according to the World Happiness Report. There's much to learn from Copenhagen about how to live a happy and satisfying life.

Colorful Nyhavn was a quiet fishing village in the not so distant past. Today it is abuzz with restaurants and outdoor cafés. Even the pedestrian bridge has not been spared of love locks by tourists intent on leaving a trail of their romantic commitments.

DR Koncerthuset

The DR Koncerthuset was designed by Jean Nouvel, a French architect and 2008 Pritzer Prize winner. It was inaugurated in 2009 after six years of construction. There are four concert halls in the complex, the largest of which seats 1800 people. The Koncerthuset was named in 2012 as one of ten greatest concert halls of the new millennium by British magazine, Gramophone.

Amaliehaven

There's a quiet garden with fountains and benches between Amalienborg Palace and the harbourfront. This is a nice rest stop on Larsens Plads if you're continuing on to the Little Mermaid.

Pansies

These pansies are grown in a huge planter. Caught sight of them on my way to see the Little Mermaid. Had to stop and admire the flowers.

Little Mermaid

"But the mermaid has no tears. Therefore she suffers so much more." Hans Christian Andersen

This mermaid certainly has suffered! Since it was installed on this rock in 1913, the Little Mermaid has been vandalized several times. It was decapitated twice and the head had to be replaced in 1964. It's arm was sawed off, it was blasted off its base and just a week before I took this picture in June 2017, she was doused in red paint by some group protesting whaling in the Faroe Islands (which is an autonomous country of the Kingdom of Denmark). Two weeks later, it was bathe in blue and white paint and a message was left stating "Befri Abdulle", Free Abdulle.

It's amusing to watch all the people who want to have their picture taken with the Little Mermaid. They do as much damage to the statue with the way they hang on to her. I witnessed a guy taking his turn for the camera and as much as he tried to avoid getting wet in the water, he missed his foothold and got his sneakers and jeans all wet. What these people may not be aware of is that the Little Mermaid is an exact copy of the original which is with the heirs of the sculptor, Edvard Ericksen.

Castle Island with Stock Exchange and Christiansborg Palace

The skyline of Copenhagen is studded with spires. I had to stop several times to marvel at the rope-like wrap around some spires which reminded me of the sugar covered rope-shaped pastries I used to eat as a child.

"If Copenhagen were a person, that person would be generous, beautiful, elderly but with a flair. A human being that has certain propensities for quarreling, filled with imagination and appetite for the new and respect for the old - somebody who takes good care of things and of people." Connie Nielsen, actress

Where to stay:

The Strand Hotel

Havnegade 37

Copenhagen

www.copenhagenstrand.dk

Where to eat:

Fishmarket

Hovedvavtsgade 2

www.fishmarket.dk

Open from 11 am to 2 am daily

Near Kongens Nytorv

How to get around:

From the airport to city center: take the M2 train from Terminal 3. The Kongens Nytorv station is closest to Nyhavn, Stroget shopping, and Castle Island. Ticket machines at the airport accept coins and credit card. See map and ticket information here: http://intl.m.dk/#!/

The S train and Metro are convenient ways of getting around the city and suburbs.

For rail journeys to Sweden and other regions in Denmark, catch the train from Copenhagen Central Station which is located across from the Tivoli Gardens on Bernstorffsgade.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

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