Nordic Halloween

While in Christianshavn, I took a photograph of some Shrovetide buns. The holiday is also called Fastelavn, hence the name Fastelavnsbolle or "Fastelavns bun". I ended up eating a Jordbærkage (strawberry-cake) from the bakery, since it looked way more tempting than the Shrovetide bun (see the second photograph).

We were able to watch Shrovetide Festivities at the National Museum. Below is a short video I took while at the museum.

Strange...

I have this small collection of strange things that I've come across here in Europe; comments are always appreciated. If you are easily offended don't look at this post.

Very small-cute car near my hotel.


She is everywhere here in Denmark.


Sale sign in Sweden.


Another sale sign in Sweden.


Yes, these statues are wearing knitted clothing (Sweden).

Helsingborg, Sweden

Below are some photographs I took while in Helsingborg, Sweden. We (the other investigators & I) had dinner in Sweden at the Café le fil du Rasoir; I had their delicious pheasant dish with mash-potatoes.

Our first geocache in Sweden (GC1KGDY) was found near this statue.


On our way to the keep.






Kärnen Tower.


Me in Sweden!


Our party ferry on the way back to Denmark. We had live music on the way back (sang in English).

Helsingør, Denmark

On Saturday we took the train to Helsingør, Denmark (North) to see Kronborg Castle. After arriving in Helsingør, we did some shopping in the city and ate some sweets at a pastry shop. I purchased a Shrovetide bun (the best description I have of it is: a sweet croissant roll, filled with a thick-whipped cream, with a chocolate dollop on the top). During Shrovetide the children dress-up in costumes (like Halloween), go to houses, ring the bell, sing a song for those who open the door, and are given money or sweet-buns. I've been told that giving sweet-buns is more of an old tradition. I felt home-sick in the pastry shop, since it just so happened that our (mine and Ken's) song (Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman - Time to Say Goodbye) started to play while eating the sweets. I took lots of photographs while touring the castle, I hope people enjoy.

Kronborg Castle (famous as the setting of Shakespeare's play, Hamlet.)

Inside the Castle Yard.

The Trumpeter's Tower; this tower is 62-metre high and is the tallest tower at Kronborg Castle.

The Royal Chambers. At one time, the walls of this room were lined with gold-embossed leather.

Inside the castle (sorry, I forgot what the room was called).

The Ballroom.

Inside the Chapel.

The Casemates (catacombs).

Holger the Dane (in the casemates). This is a statue of Denmark's legendary hero. They say he sits slumbering, ready to be stirred into action the instant the Danish kingdom is threatened by an enemy.

Kronborg Castle from the ferry on our way to Helsingborg, Sweden. Only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of water divides the two countries.

Copenhagen Photographs

Here are some pictures I took of Copenhagen:

(well at the least the ones I'm not in) :)

Main Railway Station, which is right down the road from my hotel.

Danish graffiti near the station.

Inside the station (yep, there are pigeons in the station).

Town Hall - City of Copenhagen Administration.

Helligandskirken Church - The Church of the Holy Ghost.

Nikolaj Church.

Det Kongelige Teater - The Royal Theatre.

Nyhavn Harbour and Canal.

Nyhavn Harbour and Canal.

Alexander Nevsky Kirke - Russian Church.

Me and The Little Mermaid.

Statens Museum for Kunst - Denmark's national gallery.

Inside the museum.

Inside the museum.

This was our first geocache found in Denmark - GC1AZ6Z!

Marmorkirken (Marble Church - 1894)

Also known as Frederikskirken, it's dome is one of the largest in Europe (diameter of 102-ft). I spent 25 kroner and climbed the stairs to the top of the dome; the views of the city were amazing (you could even see Sweden!).

Inside the dome, on the way to the top.

Amalienborg Palaces

Amalienborg, the royal family residence, is guarded by the Danish Royal Guards (wearing bearskin hats). Here is a few pictures of the octagonal square and the changing of the guard, which occurs at noon.

Equestrian Statue of Frederik V

(located in the center of the square)