A quick visit to Copenhagen, Denmark

We’re happy to be back in Copenhagen, Denmark. Before we board our cruise ship we spent some time exploring Copenhagen, Denmark. 

One of the original gates to the old city

The Dragon Fountain in City Hall Square was removed for 30 years and just recently returned to its home. 

On the waterfront 

Frederic’s Church popularly known as The Marble church for its rococo architecture. 

Church Interior

Rosenborg Castle

The Rundetaarn or Round Tower is a 17th century tower and one of the many projects of Christian IV of Denmark.  It was built as an astronomical observatory and noted for its equestrian staircase inside. 

Komgend Nytorv is a lovely public square centrally located at the end of the pedestrian street Strøget.  It was laid out by Christian V in 1670 with an equestrian statue of himself at its center. 

The Danish Royal Guard march from Rosenborg Castle to Amelie Palace where the ceremony takes place. 

Church of our Lady originally built in the 1100’s but rebuilt 3 times and completed in 1829

Church interior

A popular tourist destination is Nyhavn. It was packed with tourists,  Hans Christian Anderson lived on the other side of the canal. 

Art museum

Sankt Pauls Plads 2

These people are staging a protest. The owners of this square want to remove the statues and put in a car park.  I am not sure when I have ever seen such a bored group of people. 

Greek Orthodox Church 

 

Luxembourg City,, Luxembourg

We had an amazing e-bike ride through Luxembourg City.  It was an excellent introduction to this beautiful city.

Towns built on rivers have a special charm.  Luxembourg Grund is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the lower part of the city.  Some consider it a village within a city because it seems to have a calmer and quieter feeling than the nearby city center.

Grund is located in the valley below the centre of Luxembourg City on the banks of the Alzette river

Saint Michael's Church.  The first church was built on this spot in 986 as the castle chapel for the Count of Luxembourg.  Over the centuries the building was destroyed, rebuilt and renovated several times.

They are very creative in the naming of their bridges. This is the Red Bridge.  No explanation is needed.  There was also a Blue Bridge which is no longer Blue but has retained its original name.

The Adolphe Bridge is a double decked arch bridge.  The upper deck carries two lanes of road traffic, and the lower deck has two pedestrian footpaths.  We walked our bicycles across and admired the views.

Looking across at the double-decker arch Adolphe Bridge

The Grand Ducal Palace is the official residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg, and where he performs most of his duties as head of state of the Grand Duchy.  He has another palace where he spends most of his time.  This residence is used mainly for official duties.  

The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art in Luxembourg City.  The museum stands on the site of the old Fort Thungen.  

This is the European Convention Center in Luxembourg City.

In the background is a promontory offering a natural fortification.  The rocky cliffs tower above the River Alzette.  This is where Count Siegfried built his Castle  Lucilinburhuc in 963.

The cliffs offer an amazing backdrop to the city

The Melusina mermaid's legend is an important element of Luxembourg's history.  Melusina was the beautiful wife of Siegfried, the first count of Luxembourg.  

Part of the old fortification of Luxembourg

Visiting a French Bakery... Behind the Night Scene

While we were tied up at the Marina of Basse-Ham we were invited to a party for the local boat owners.  There we met the lovely baker Fernand who couldn't stay to socialize any longer because he was heading to work.  But, would we like to visit his bakery one night.  There was no way we would turn down a unique invitation such as the one he had extended.  Unfortunately, his working hours were 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.  While he said that we should stay the whole time, not being accustomed to those hours, we arrived at 11:00 pm and stayed for only a few hours.  It was impressive watching the speed and efficiency with which he and his co-workers produced so many delicious baked items.  The next morning he showed up at our boat bearing freshly baked goods.  He even brought me a loaf of gluten free bread (delicious) and 5 kg of gluten free flour.  Fernand never stopped moving the whole time we were there.  He estimates he walks 6 miles an evening.

Fernand with a cart of large loaves of bread.

He made custard filled delicacies 

The custard was quickly piped into the circles

Meat filled pies are a specialty of the area.  Each pie filling is carefully weighted.

Fernand has a specific customer who orders these meat pies.  Tom, Estelle and I watched with great interest.

The X in the center allows the egg whites to flow over the filling after the top crust is in place.

The speed with which one man produces all these pies is impressive

Finished product 

One of four large dough kneading machines.  At one point they were all going at once.  There was flour flying everywhere.  The men performed their work like a perfect ballet

This oven can bake 800 baguettes at a time

A few of the rolls ready for delivery

These rolls are filled with lardons (bacon) and topped with cheese before being baked.

The whole evening this man loaded unbaked products (rolls, baguettes, loaves of bread) onto this conveyer belt, added a slit to the top of each item, and slid them into the oven.  Once baked they were removed to cooling racks before being placed in baskets ready for delivery.

This kneaded dough is placed into a machine where it is cut into rolls

The bakery was immense with rooms upon rooms.  There were freezers, chillers, and storage rooms

 

Paris, Versailles and the Arc du Triumph

Paris is a city with something for everyone, no matter their age.  There are many ways to discover the city.  With our granddaughter we used bicycles, the metro, Segways, walking (and walking and walking), a boat ride, a cooking class, a museum, gardens,  and of course the elevator to see the Eiffel Tower.  This in only 3 1/2 days!  

Paris: The Eiffel Tower, a Boat Ride on the Seine. Plus Those Charming Bistro Chairs and Tables

I think there is a law that to visit Paris one must go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Somehow with our many trips to Paris we always missed that attraction.  Perhaps we were waiting for the right moment.  With the arrival of our granddaughter it was finally time.  We purchased tickets in advance to "skip the line."  There was still a substantial wait, but nothing compared to the lines of people who had not thought to purchase tickets in advance.

The amazing Eiffel Tower which is much larger than expected once we were close up

Originally there was a conductor who controlled the elevator going up the tower.  It took a lot longer than the elevators used today.

The views are impressive.

The Eiffel Tower is being painted a brownish gold for the Olympics taking place next summer in 2024. You need to be comfortable with heights for that job.

After going up the Eiffel Tower we took a boat ride on the Seine. 

Our granddaughter was fascinated by the many designs and variety of colors of the bistro chairs, and tiny tables throughout Paris.  We never saw a repeat of design or color.