Saturday, April 30, 2016

Day tripping to Malmo Sweden just because I could


I had to go to Sweden just because it was so close how could I not visit another country. I took the train because it was going to Sweden before we boarded security checked to see if we had passports, or ID.  Malmo is close to Copenhagen and we set off but at the boarder Security boarded to be sure we had passports or ID and they even checked to see if anyone was in the toilet. I have since discovered that transport operators would be fined heavily if any improperly  documented people were found to be brought into Sweden. The trip was short about 45 minutes. I arrived at Malmo station and set off it was gloomy but at least it was not raining. I first headed to the waterfront I saw a light house in the distance so I walked over to it and walked across a bridge. I was lucky a couple came along and I was able to have my photo taken, with the lighthouse in the background.



Malmo water front

Cricket loves daffodils 



King Karl X Gustav Stortogret Square

Unusual Fountain

and the band played on

Cricket joins the band on Sodergartan

I then headed into the town center came across a pretty little square Stortogret with a fountain and lots of tulips in bloom. There was a statue of  King Karl X Gustav he was the one that got Malmo it's freedom from Denmark.  By this time I needed a toilet and did not see any available so I walked into a hotel and asked if I could use their ladies room and was told of course.  I walked some more and came across Lilla Torg which is a former town market since 1592, it was pretty despite the gloomy skies, lots of places to eat.  Up next was Sodergartan a Pedestrian shopping area with some really interesting sculptures. There were a row of fountains there, and I enjoyed watching the kids watching the ducks but I had to stand in a doorway to get warm it was cold.  I came across a cute little park with fountains and I could see another in the distance but at this point I did not feel up to the hike because I knew it was quite a hike back to the train station from where I was. 



Lilla Torg





Fountains near Sodergartan there were a whole row of them
 
enjoying the ducks in the fountain

On my way back to the train station I visited St Petri (St Peter) church some pretty interesting art work inside. There was a nice canal nearby with boat rides, although it was way too cold and gloomy for that.  I stopped at Burger King for a cup of coffee and and to use their wifi and post a few photos on Facebook,  then slowly headed back to the train station. I am glad I visited Malmo it was a pretty town and I can imagine on a sunny day it would be beautiful. The train ride back was quick because they did not check anyone apparently Denmark does not care who or what comes into their country.  I returned to blue skies and sunshine and decided to get something to eat. I had Chinese noodles yesterday so I decided it was so good I would have some more. I walked around for a couple hours and came across Carlsberg Clyptotek which is an art museum it was closed but I looked in the gardens.  I passed Tivoli which is an amusement park I had no interest in visiting but long lines outside.


wall inside St Petri

St Petri



along the canal Malmo


outside Glypotek in Copenhagen

Tivoli 



Friday, April 29, 2016

Copenhagen and the tour that ran away

Town Hall Square Radhuspladsen
I went to breakfast a bit later because I did not want to run into the Red Hatters again and enjoyed a peaceful breakfast. I flew on Norwegian airlines and they had free wi-fi so it was fun sending messages from the sky. After my arrival  in Copenhagen, I had booked a hotel close to the train station but had trouble finding it I asked at another hotel and not only did the man I ask tell me how to get there but walked out the door to be sure I was headed in the right direction.  I knew I had a shared bath but they did not say only two toilets for an entire floor, they did have 4 showers. My room was at the end so it was quite a hike to the toilet, my room was small but it was nice enough. It has a radiator so I can do some laundry. 


Lur blowers If a Virgin passes by this statue they will blow their horns


Hans Christian Anderson


Equestrian Statue of Bishop Absalon Founder of the City of Copenhagen


Copenhagen Peace Watch outside Danish Parliament building Christianborg
A steadily growing group of people who value peace has been standing, since October 19 2001 from early morning to late evening, all 7 days of the week, forming a peace watch outside Christianborg the Danish Parliament and government. Hate breeds hate.         





After breakfast  I went out and looked around it was cold the wind cut right through me. I went back in and put on a t shirt on top of my long sleeved top and also gloves, and warmed up. I went to the Old Town Square for the start of the walking tour by Sandeman walking tour I have used them in other cities. The guide set off at a break neck speed he said I can hope you all can keep up. I did keep up for quite awhile made it with them to the break area which was located in the main shopping street Stroeget and had an ice cream the break turned out to be longer than planned so he set off even faster I got  stuck behind a truck turning around and also bikes kept getting in my way, I could see them in the distance then some crazy lady came at me screaming and I have no clue why and now I could barely see the group and decided to give up, I might add that several people quit way before I did. Some of the places we saw during the walk were the Dragon Fountain which has a bull fighting a dragon.  The Stork fountain located in Amagertorv which was a present Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Louise for their Silver Wedding anniversary 1894.
The Stork Fountain

The Dragon Fountain
Impaled Polar Bear Sculpture showing impact of Global Warming

Charity Fountain

I carried along the canal and the sun was coming out and it was starting to look s pretty. I decided to do the canal boat ride because a boat was leaving in a few minutes,it was a nice ride  down the canals we saw the Little Mermaid but not close up I was going to get off the stop but it was so windy and it would be an hour wait for the next boat. On the way back the wind was so bad the water started blowing into the boat like rain so I quickly got out my seat which was in the front and uncovered and moved inside until it calmed down. I could see this very interesting building and I finally got close to it,  the Old Stock Exchange Building. it is one of the oldest buildings (1625) in Copenhagen and it situated on the island of Slotsholmen and it was built by King Christian IV.

Old Stock Exchange




The Little Mermaid



Cricket stows away
along the canal
Dome of Visions 






Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Széchenyi Thermal Bath whirling around

Apparently my hotel was invaded by Red Hat Society who were yelling in German, I have enjoyed peaceful breakfast but this morning my eyes were assaulted by red which I have always found to be a violent color ugh. I do not know why they were so loud other than the were trying to attract attention to themselves to show red hat ladies have fun. I had picked out a table and put down my coffee and water then I went to get my breakfast. I came back to three people at my table had been raided and I got looks like what are you doing here and since there were no open tables, and I had been there first I sat down, and ignored them which was not easy to do. Then another one came to visit and proceeded to lean on my half of the table.

I had a totally awesome experience, visiting one of the  Thermal baths in Budapest was high on my list, today was my last full day in Budapest  I decided to visit Széchenyi Thermal Bath (pronounced Say-Chain-Eee) it is the largest medicinal bath in Europe I had bought a ticket at my hotel and headed out. a special line for if you already had a ticket  so I was able to get in quickly and was give a bracelet and a room to change in and keep belongings. The changing room was small with a bench it was opened with a little device on the bracelet so it was secure I had been worried about that so I did not bring a camera.   I then headed out to try one of the outdoor pools first. The first pool I went in had a whirlpool bath in the middle and it was lots of fun flying around when the jets were running and pushing you in circles. You just "flew" around and you had to be careful not to be pushed out the opening, I was surprised at the number of people with their phones in the bath only one appeared to have a good covering, people just wanted to record the fun. I was able to sit with on the water wit h my legs stretched I was laughing so hard. The water was amazing on my knees, and my left one that was swollen when I arrived had calmed down, after awhile I headed in doors and checked out some of the hot tubs some had warnings on the heat so I did not go in those.  I did try a few but decided to go back outside it was pretty cold about  55 F and it was even sprinkling rain at times but I just would not leave the pool for hours besides the fun I was having flying around it also felt amazing.  I finally left because the rain was getting heavier. I took the metro back to the hotel as the rain was getting heavier. 

I had a nice dinner at a Vietnamese Restaurant I ordered a grilled duck but it was cooked a bit too much for my liking. I had almost ordered a duck soup and I saw someone had it as I was leaving and it looked huge

Cricket outside the Bath

Széchenyi Thermal Bath



Photo from Bath website shows the whirlpool

Fisherman's Bastion 

Parliament




Statue Attila Jozsef 

Imre Nagy Hungarian Freedom Fighter
Shakespeare 500 Anniversary

Chain Bridge