Havnebadet

From the Central Station, walk to the City Hall Square, then go down HC. Andersens Boulevard to reach Langebro brigde. On the other side of the canal, you can already see the first leg of our trip: the baths(Havnebadet).


Since the water has been declared clean enough for public swimming in 2001, locals are enjoying the water - when the weather is good enough. To harness all this energy, the municipality has commissioned and opened in 2003 this protected bathing area with diving board and children's pool.
As you can see, the architects were really inspired by the ships stationned not so far.


Of course in the winter the place is deserted (and also closed). See you next year!

This post is part of the Islands Brygge Architecture walk.
Next stop : Havneparken

New architecture in Islands Brygge

Copenhagen is quite well known for its modern architecture. Hence the exhibition "Copenhagen X" which identifies the most emblematic constructions since 2000. DanskViking brings his stone to the building and offers this first themed walk "modern architecture" that will take us accross Islands Brygge.

We will discover:

• The baths (Havnebadet)
• The gardens (Havneparken)
• Wennberg Silo
• Gemini
• The pedestrian bridge and its view
  
• Copenhagen Island hotel and its design interior
  

Happy Birthday Rasmus!

We already knew that the Danes loooved celebrating birthdays with great reinforcements of cakes and flags.
We discovered more recently that there were more than that to birthday celebrations!
The other day I was awakened by a group of young people singing (should I say shouting) happy birthday at midnight in front of the window of one of our neighbors ...
And a few days ago, a barrel topped by a flashing light (which did not last long thanks to the poor little battery to which he was bound) appeared down the street ... Well it's true, 30 years worth celebrating! So Happy Birthday Rasmus!

Alors bon anniversaire, Rasmus !

Cooking and design shops

Every time we go shopping, we are tempted by the kitchen items stores, which you have to admit are very well stocked with designer items in Denmark. The only problem is that we don't have an XXL kitchen to go with our shopping frenzy! In our small town, I have already a hard time to choose between Inspiration, Imerco, Bahne, Kop & Kande and the local Isenkram. I know, I am spoiled!
In Copenhagen, the most frequented places are Illum Bolighus and Magasin du Nord.
Regarding the brands you can find in the countless shops, you will notice that many of them are Danish: Menu, Royal Copenhagen, Georg Jensen, Trip Trap, Eva Trio (or solo), ... Yep Danish design is still popular!

Danish winter

Now that spring is finally here, just to remember how cold that bloody winter was, here are a few pictures of the Danish "polar ice"... Indeed the winter was so cold that the Øresund water (only slightly salted) froze along the coast.
For example, in Ålsgårde. Did you notice that you can spot Sweden in the background?

And Kronborg far away...

Even the stones were freezing!

Thanks to Cédric for the pictures!

Smart flødebølle

Here you can notice a very practical detail for those we don't have any memory, just in case! Notice that at my place, those flødebølle never had the slightest chance to reach that date...

Dansk Viking recommends "På cykel i København" - "Biking in Copenhagen"

We visited the exhibition "På cykel i København" at the City Museum (Kobenhavns Bymuseum) and we really liked it...



The exhibition is not so large, but it is - I think - quite well presented. No boring historical line, but a more thematic approach of the bike, in all its forms and variations. The opportunity to discover design bikes, even some really bizarre, the evolution of biking habits and accessories as well as pictures of the streets of Copenhagen at different times, but still busy with bikes. To sump it up, we really recommend it!
Entry costs only 20 crowns (it is even free on Fridays) and the exhibition runs until June 27. Not to spoil the surprise, we will publish our detailed articles and pictures only in July ;-)

Brunch at the post office

The fashion of brunches reached Denmark some time ago. The custom has remained, so a lot of cafes and restaurants now offer their brunches on weekends. To help you find your way, we have tested them all :-)
Our first discovery: the Post museum!

The museum is located in the City center (Købmagergade 37) and the top floor coffee offers a magnificent view over the rooftops of the city. You access it by a panoramic lift that runs through the canopy of the building ...

You get access to an extensive and varied buffet. The classics (eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes, sausage, fruit ...) are prensented alongside most original dishes (salmon tartare, shrimp salad, pickles ...).

The service was sometimes a little slow, and they started to remove the dishes a little earlier than advertised. As it was quite full on a week day, we recommend you book in advance, just to be on the safe side. At 150 kronor (drinks not included), this Sunday brunch is an acceptable value for money. Try it!


As a bonus, you get a breathtaking view of the Rundetårn!

Are herrings that bad?

To change bad perceptions...
Here herrinsg are part of everyday life, you can buy all kinds, prepared with differents sauces in all kinds of colors and every packaging possible (even in a small snack format, just in case you get a craving for herring in the middle of the street or in the metro, it is better to plan ahead, you never know). But I can assure you, it doesn't really taste like anything you can imagine if you have only tried French style herring so far, the Danish one is quite sweet and mellow. With a nice black bread, you can even say it is delicious!

Example of a danish "platte"

It's finally Spring!

Finally!
All the signs are here: our neighbour just got a chair out in the garden to have a good taning session...