BALTIC BLOG 04

Monday June 18, 2012

It’s hard to think of a nicer way start a luxury cruise than the way we did it yesterday as we sailed through the North Sea – with plenty of time to find our way around the ship … eat our hearts out in the Lido Buffet or the La Fontaine Dining-Room … stretch our legs on the Promenade Deck … relax with a cappuccino or wine in one of the many lounges and bars … clap and cheer our way through some top-class song-and-dance in the Showroom-at-Sea … and crawl into bed with a good book when the late sun finally went down.

As we woke and ate our breakfast this morning, the Rotterdam was making waves as it headed up the channel towards wonderful, wonderful, Copenhagen. Back in the 15th century, this lively city was capital of not only Denmark, but also Norway and Sweden … and is currently home of the oldest monarchy in the world.

Copenhagen oozes history and charm – and some of that rubbed off on us as we watched the changing-of-the-guard in the courtyard of the Amalienborg Palace (winter residence of the Danish Royal Family) … drove alongside the elegant boats and colourful restaurants of Old Nyhavn (in the canal district) … and snapped photos of the monuments and sculptures that lie around every corner and the church steeples that punctuate the skyline.

Sounds appealing? Let me assure you, it was …

We also crossed to the island of Amager and the beautiful little village of Dragor, for a stroll amongst crooked yellow houses with thatched roofs and gardens full of roses and hollyhocks. We lunch-stopped in the whimsical Tivoli Gardens (one of the oldest amusement parks in the world). And, as a grand finale, we paid our respects to the lovely bronze Little Mermaid – Copenhagen’s famous statue/symbol.

PEOPLE NEWS:

Several people are now wearing our little yellow rubber-duckies – and another one was claimed today:

The Safety-First Award went to Gary – who, at the compulsory lifeboat-drill this afternoon, managed to get his life-jacket on properly after only four failed attempts (accidentally hitting his wife in the face while doing so).

TOMORROW:

The ship will park in the German resort of Kiel while we tour the “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg”. What does “Free and Hanseatic” mean? I’m really not sure. But I should know the answer (hopefully) in 24 hours’ time – so stay tuned!

Yours bloggedly – JOHN

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