Braving the elements in Copenhagen...

Day 33

Checked out of my hostel in Stockholm and headed to Copenhagen. As the long train journey began, I noticed that the usual panels above each seat indicating whether it was reserved or not were missing from this train. I then heard over the PA that it was a high speed service to Copenhagen. Shit. It was then that I realised that this train required a reservation. I checked my book and sure enough it said a reservation was required. However I then checked my app which I've been using quite religiously on this trip and it said a reservation wasn't required. Nevertheless, it was pretty obvious that one was required.
What was even worse was that the train was pretty booked out so even when I found a vacant seat, at the next stop, I would have to change once that person got on. In the end, I went and stood in the corridor between the carriages. For the whole hour trip. I was lucky though. As the guard came through to check tickets, I explained my situation and even showed him the app. He had every right to fine me but he was nice and let me stay on the train. Definitely one of the better experiences with train guards I've had. As we reached Malmo, the border station between Sweden and Denmark, I decided to get off as the guards change at the borders. I may have been lucky with the Swedish guard but there was no guarantee that the Danish guard would be as understanding. At least I knew that from Malmo my rail pass was valid without a reservation.

A quick train ride later, I was in Copenhagen. The hostel I had chosen this time, The Generator, was more like a hotel than a hostel. It was huge. And had a huge lounge area with a bar. Quite a nice relaxed atmosphere. Expensive though. But then again, this was "cheap" for Denmark. One night here cost me the equivalent of 35 euros (4 nights in Krakow had cost me 28 euros). Denmark was just one of the most expensive countries in Europe unfortunately. After settling in, I made contact with Tom and Kaisey, who I had previously met on my overnight to Krakow. They were in town for one more night so we met up for a nice relaxed dinner catch up and then walked around the city admiring the bright lights, especially those emanating from the Tivoli Gardens. All caught up, we said our goodbyes (again) and promised to catch up back home in Oz.

 

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Day 34

Gloomy day. Started off checking out the flea markets in the main square and then went on the free walking tour of the city. Saw the famous sites of Copenhagen including the harbour, the anchor and the royal residences. Too bad Princess Mary wasn't there; ironically she was back in Oz. However I did get to see a mini-changing of the guard (not as large as the one that happens at noon, but a smaller one that happens at 2pm). The Danish guards are much more relaxed. They're allowed to move, chat to each other while they patrol, and even respond to your questions (minimally). One even looked at the camera when I went to take a photo! As the rain started coming down, I contemplated heading over to Tivoli, as I had found out on the tour that today was the last day it would be open until Christmas. However, given that the amusement park aspect of it didn't interest me, and the garden aspect wouldn't be great in the rain, I decided to forgo it. Not a huge loss. I can always do it when I come back in summer haha. Rainy days are perfect for museums, and so my destination was the National Museum, which also had a temporary viking exhibit. Free entry too. Score.

Back at the hostel, I met Kyle, an Aussie guy from Perth, and we chilled over some beers in the hostel bar. Much like most of the people I had met while travelling, he had been gone for a few months already. His journey was particularly interesting; he had gone from London to Mongolia, travelling through Russia, Uzbekistan, and the likes of those countries. Not sure if I'd ever be able to do that, but from the sounds of it, it was definitely an adventure of a lifetime.

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Day 35

Another rainy day. Worst weather ever for sighthseeing. Spent the morning in the Guiness World Record museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum and the Hans Christian Anderson museum. All way more interesting than the National Museum the previous day. Having taken all I could of museums, I braved the rain and walked around in the fresh air for a while. Happened to come across a canal tour that was about to start so I hopped on the boat. Apparently you could hop on and off with that ticket/boat so I seized this opportunity to get to Christiania, the Danish "state" exempt from Danish laws. Apparently due to a loophole in Danish law, any abandoned property that has been squatted in for a period of time (and not evicted) becomes the property of the squatter. Hence that was how Christiania became born out of an abandoned military base. Not exactly sure how it's exempt from rules and regulations but I'm sure there's a loophole somewhere. As a result of this "free" state, it was full of hippies and marijuana was freely available for sale and consumption in their green light district. Only two rules: don't take photos and don't run (apparently it causes panic). It was an interesting experience walking through the green light district. I had a lot of people staring at me, which made me very uneasy. I guess being an Asian there really made me stand out. But as I looked around, everyone was high anyway so they were probably all mellowed out.

After an extensive walk around Christiania, I left and "re-entered" the EU just as the rain started coming down again. Perfect excuse to stop off at a cafe for a hot chocolate and ice cream. It was almost time for the boat to come and pick me up so I headed back into the rain and went towards the canal. And that was when the storm hit. Gale force winds came sweeping through, made worse by the wind tunnels between the buildings and canals. As I waited on the corner, seeking shelter by the wall, I saw people being pushed down the street by the winds, cyclists falling off their bikes, scaffolding shaking quite dangerously in the winds, and billboards flying down the streets. I even saved a little old lady as she went flying towards the canal being dragged by her umbrella. After about half an hour of waiting in the storm, I realised that the boat wasn't coming back. Sigh. At least the walk back wasn't too long and at least I knew the way. Plus with the wind pushing me from behind, I would get there in no time. Later checked the news and this was apparently one of the worst storms to hit recently. Lucky me.

Back at the hostel, I met up with Kyle again for dinner at the hostel bar. Chatted about our days. Then realised that the hostel was unusually busy tonight. Turns out that the storm had cancelled all trains heading from Copenhagen to Malmo (Sweden) so everyone who worked here was stuck here for the night. Bad luck. But hey, better to be stuck in a hostel than on a train over the ocean.

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Day 36

Oddest thing happened in the night. Someone came into our room around 2am, made a huge racket, tripped over a suitcase and stacked it big time, and then left. We all got up to check our stuff. My locker/drawer had been pulled out but nothing had been taken/touched. In the morning, turns out the guy was actually staying in our room (he was on the bunk below mine) and that he was just so drunk that he couldn't function properly. Scary thing though was that none of us had even realised when he came back in, so had he really been there to steal stuff, he would have gotten away with it.

Final day in Copenhagen. Headed to the fortress up north, and just my luck, it started pouring down rain again. Took shelter in a bus stop for half an hour before I could continue. It was an interesting fort, shaped like a star. I walked around the entire perimeter of it; not as interesting as I had thought. Next stop was the Little Mermaid statue, one of Copenhagen's biggest attractions. I felt a bit underwhelmed. Sure, it was a nice statue, but it just didn't seem that impressive. Anyways, at least I had ticked it off my list. Climbed the Round Tower and got some nice views of Copenhagen as the sun set. After that, it was back to the hostel; I had done everything I had wanted to do.

Dinner and drinks with Kyle at hostel bar, before we hooked up with some French guys for a few games of pool and some Italians for a few games of foosball. Not long after, we heard the familiar Aussie accent and joined up with a group of Aussies (and one Kiwi) for a great night of drinking games. It's so interesting how that always happens. I've hung out with so many people from different countries, but you just feel drawn to your own people I guess. I just felt comfortable and in my element with these guys. Plus it's great when everyone already knows the rules to King's Cup haha. We spent the rest of the night drinking and laughing away. It was definitely a great way to spend my last night in Copenhagen.

HBL signing out from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Up next: Berlin, I love the nightlife...
Previously: Meatballs, ABBA, and oh so many photos...