(Back) to Berlin!

We flew from Copenhagen to Berlin on Wednesday and made our way to our hotel. The last time I was here was in 1990, when the Wall had just fallen, so things had changed a bit. First time for MB and boys.

We walked around our hotel to find lunch and then later made our way to the Holocaust Memorial and Brandenburg Gate. We encountered a delightful Italian place and then walked back to get some sleep. Phase II of our EuroRainbow Adventure had begun!

 Boys with the iconic Berlin Television Tower in the background

Zack has always been on the go! 

A traditional Berliner lunch 

Had to begin our Berliner dining experience with the legendary currywurst! 

 St. Nicholas - the oldest church in Berlin

On a bridge over the River Spree 

If a city has kunst, Nick will surely find it! 

Happy to be here

You have to finish an Italian dinner with gelato...well, you could finish any dinner with gelato

Nothing Beats Time with Friends

This morning we left Copenhagen by train and met Christian in the city of Koge, about 30 minutes west of Copenhagen. Christian toured us around this charming town and stopped off at a castle for good measure before heading to the Yde family home in Ringsted for dinner. It was an absolutely delightful visit! We are exceptionally fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with the Yde's. They are such wonderful hosts who have made this experience so meaningful and memorable. 

At the end of the evening, Christian drove us to the train station where we headed back to Copenhagen.

Trains and bikes and bikes on trains...the Danish way of life 

On the docks in Koge 

Yarn and keys - a massive work of art 

St. Nicholas Church in Koge 

St. Nicholas School - complete with kids at recess

Doesn't everybody travel thousands of miles to find a new library?

 Can you guess the title, Rick Riordan fans?

The most beautiful cappuccinos ever! 

Who wouldn't be happy in a shop that sells music and wine? 

 Checking out the local establishments in Koge

Notice the old and new copper roofs on this castle 

At the Yde Family home, getting ready for dinner - so many choices! 

Smørrebrød - quintessentially Danish - open-faced sandwiches on rye bread. Amazing!

The boys hanging out in Chris' room 

At a local country market so old that the floors are warped 

The moms in front of the Yde's house 

 Our dessert table - very impressive. Tasted as good as it looked!

Terrific hosts - Petra and Christian 

Music matters at the Yde's 

I even got to play Phillip's guitalele 

Back in Copenhagen at our favorite Doner Kebab joint

Copenhagen by Its Canals

Copenhagen is a city of many canals, not unlike Amsterdam or Venice. Today we had the opportunity to see the city by tour boat, which provided a complement to the bus tour we took a few days prior. 

We then took a long leisurely walk back to our hotel, stopping for lunch and shopping along the way.

Copenhagen - a very walkable city - so many places to explore

 On the tourboat

 The view of another boat from ours

A blend of old and new architecture at every turn 

We met some students from Tyre, Lebanon, two of whom had lived in Dearborn for a time

Can't go wrong with a burger and fries for lunch! 

 Hans Christian Andersen is everywhere in Copenhagen 

Uncle Hans was happy to host Nephew Nick 

In front of our hotel 

The happy family! 

All smiles at dinner

A Side Trip to Sweden

This morning, Christopher and his mom and dad - Petra and Christian - picked us up in their Dodge minivan (the only one I've seen on the road since we arrived) and took us from Copenhagen to Kronborg Castle, in the town of Helsingor. This is one of the most remarkable castles I've ever seen - massive, intriguing and - perhaps most notably - the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. We toured the castle and grounds and celebrated ol' Billy - in this, the 400th anniversary year of his death.

From there we took a 20 minute ferry ride across a channel that separates the North Sea from the Baltic Sea to the town of Helsingborg in Sweden, a delightful place where we had lunch at a cafe that featured outstanding Swedish pastries.

We then drove to a big shopping mall called Emporia to get a taste of everyday life for the average Swede in the town of Malmo. From Malmo, we took a bridge/tunnel back to Copenhagen. What a tremendous day! Thank you, Yde Family, for taking such good care of us :-)

 By the sea on a windy day

On the way to Kronborg Castle 

Scale model in the foreground (the castle, that is) 

Crossing the moat 

MB and Petra on the way to find Hamlet's ghost 

The Yde family after signing a few treaties 

 "C4" stands for Christian IV, King of Denmark

Inside the palace courtyard 

The legendary Holger Danske, from a Hans Christian Andersen tale 

Z and me where the cannon used to boom

MB and Nick enjoying the wind and water 

Here we are 

Yorick's skull...our shared humanity? 

On the way out 

Kronborg Castle in the background off the back of the ferry to Sweden 

 Downtown Helsingborg, Sweden

At Fahlman's in Helsingborg for a delicious lunch

Outside the Emporia Mall in Malmo, Sweden 

Yes, they have a supermarket at the mall, and no, you never thought they sold Old El Paso Stand N' Stuff tortillas in Sweden, did you? 

ICA Kvantum...a most exciting place to grocery shop. Of course, we just loaded up on snacks!