24 September 2023

Denmark certainly delivered on the weather front today. Clear skies! All morning at least!

Once again, we packed our bags with the intention of moving on, later in the day.

We’ve done the planes, trains and automobiles thing (along with a boat or two) but today we added busses and ferries to our “mode of travel” experiences.

We had some last minute business in Copenhagen before we headed off across another border. We wanted to visit the Botanical Gardens, and particularly the Palm House and the Butterfly House situated within.

This meant yet another traipse across Copenhagen via the city streets. For some reason, I was entrusted with leading the way this morning, despite my appalling sense of direction. We might have gone a slightly circuitous route, but at least we got to see a few more sites.

Børsen, the Old Stock Exchange has four intertwined dragon tails on the spire, “topped by three crowns, symbolizing the Scandinavian empire – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden” ( Google) . Sadly, a lot of the remainder of the building was under renovation, so we could only admire the spire.

The Stork Fountain was full of bubbles and provided lots of entertainment for all ages!

The Round Tower glistened in the sun, tempting us to pay the entrance fee, and walk the internal ramp (not stairs) to the the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. No time sadly.

The Flower stalls were full of fresh flowers and berries begging to be bought.

And the cyclists had all parked their bikes and headed off for a nice day in the city.

We arrived at the Botanical Gardens and, as time was limited, we headed straight to the Palm House. Now, most who know me, know that I’m not a lover of heat, and should you add a little humidity into the mix, I lose my sense of humour pretty quickly. We walked into the Palm House (Should not alarm bells have started ringing prior to this??? ) and the heat and humidity smacked me in the face and my smile instantly faded. Despite being a rainforesty delight, I pursed my lips, broke into a sweat immediately, and rushed through the luxious beauty, snapped photos and counted down the seconds til I could escape into the delicious Copenhagen autumnal freshness.

The Butterfly House was a little cooler and we spent 20 mins or so, trying to photograph these little beauties. It wasn’t easy as they simply would not sit still for the camera. I “ chased” the blue ones with limited success. I’m hoping one of the others got a good pic!!

It was a very brisk 30 minute walk back to the hotel where we said our fond goodbyes to Linnea and Gustav. They had been generous hosts and we had had such a lovely time together. We weren’t able to attend their wedding, but this visit more than made up for it!!

We caught a cab to the train/ bus station for or Flix Bus trip to Lübeck.

The bus trip from Copenhagen was an interesting experience. We walked up and down the huge line of busses heading off in all directions, looking for our bus. Someone at the front told us to go to the end, and people there told us to go to the start. We picked a spot in the middle and crossed our fingers that we got on the correct bus. We, being non-E U ‘er’s, we’re required to show our passports when we boarded but I don’t think the driver actually looked at them. We were off, heading towards Germany and Georgia’s future “In-laws” , Sophie and Hans Heinrich.

We crossed from Rødby (Denmark)to Puttgarden (Germany) on a massive Truck, Bus, Car, People Ferry, the M/V Prins Richard. What an amazing piece of efficiency. No sooner had the ferry arrived in port and been unloaded, we were driven on still seated in the bus. By the time we got off and climbed the stairs to the passenger deck, we were already pulling out to sea. Half way through the 40 minute crossing (long enough to have a glass of wine, and visit the Duty Free shop on board) we got our Vodafone messages welcoming us the Germany!

The German country side whizzed past. Green rolling hills, red brick farms and hamlets, distant church spires and hundreds of wind turbines splattered across the country side.

We arrived in Lübeck and quickly realised we may have made a mistake when booking our accommodation. Stubbornly we decided to walk/ haul our bags the 30 minutes rather than catch a local bus or cab. We had been sedentary for a few hours and the exercise would be good, right? The first part of the walk was beautiful. We were alongside the canal, the sun was low, and the reflections of the old town were stunning.

Sadly , instead of turning right towards the old town we turned left away from the city centre. The “walk” took on a trudge like feel and by the time we arrived, I was hot and sweaty (again). I wanted a shower and some dinner.

So, we had found the accommodation on Booking.com. It was cheap and cheerful and had a “deal” which made it even cheaper. I guess one of the reasons it was cheaper was it’s distance from the town centre, the next reason might well have been the lack of staff to check you in. It was fully automated!!! (EMILY!!!!!) Now, I’m not stupid when it comes to technology and I feel I am more than capable of following instructions, but despite actually checking in, we couldn’t get our key pass card printed. (In hindsight it was quite easy, but there was a step missing in the instructions which kind of assumed we knew what to do.). As my frustration rose, I stomped 100 m back down the road to the associated hotel, that did have a Human Receptionist and asked for help. Problem solved. I headed back to our hotel with key cards and we lugged our bags down to our allocated basement room. It was now that I realised the third reason for our cheap room. It hadn’t been cleaned!!!

Stomp, stomp, stomp went I (with photos) back down the road ! The poor Human Receptionist was mortified!! I started to suggest that she just organise a refund and we would find alternative digs for the night. (Closer to town?) She apologised and insisted she could allocate another room. So, we are now no longer in the basement and I’m sure the roar of the traffic (Fourth reason?) outside my window will eventually lull me off to sleep.

We had learnt that Sundays are a big thing in Scandinavia. A lot of shops, restaurants and bars are closed. Apparently it’s the same here in Germany. After “settling” in, we tried to find somewhere for dinner. We came very. very close to resorting to McDonalds! Luckily we walked in the opposite direction and found a Chinese restaurant open. Decision made.

I had been hoping that my current “400 plus Day streak” on Duolingo German would actually pay off and I could finally use a language other than English to communicate in non-English speaking countries. Tonight was the night. I attempted to order our dinner in my “school girl” German. The young waitress responded in perfect English realising that that would be easier for both of us!!! At least I tried!!!

Lesson for the day. Sometimes cheap isn’t always cheerful!!