Copenhagen Baltic Capital Cruise Port #1

Copenhagen-City of spires, canals, smiles, and bicycles

Today, was our first port visit on our Baltic Capitals cruise. I opted to tour the city via the convenient hop-on-hop-off (HOH)) tour buses. Fortunately, they made a special pick up for us at Friborg (port).

I visited The Rosenborg Palace, Tivoli, Town Hall, Nyhvn, Christiania (hippie compound since the early 70s), Amalienborg Palace (residence of royal family). Bicycles are the top mode of transport. Everyone rides them here and the city has free rental bikes stationed throughout the city.

I walked the entire Stroget, the pedestrian shopping street considered to be the longest pedestrian street in the world

It is TRUE: I WITNESSED it!-----Moms leave their babies in their strollers outside shops while they run errands. The Danes feel completely safe and secure with everyone.

Things I probably used to know about Denmark that I mostly forgot-(I was here in 1986!)

It is one of Northern Europe’s busiest harbors.

Greenland is owned by Denmark.

It is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe and its population of 5 million enjoy a high standard of living.

Denmark has the oldest monarchy in the world.

The Danes smuggled 7000 of its 7500 Jews out of Denmark into Sweden during WWII.

Sweden and Denmark were bitter enemies, at war, and stealing land back and forth for centuries.

Denmark was one of the founding EU member nations

The Little Mermaid, (for the first time in 97 years), is on loan to Shanghai for the 2010 World’s Fair. At the site where her statue normally rests, there is a webcam live-streaming her on location in China. (glad I saw her when I was here last) LOL!

Tivoli Gardens is what inspired Walt Disney in his designing of Disney World

Hans Christian had little formal education yet grew up to be one of the world’s greatest storytellers. He is beloved by children all over the world because their parents read his stories to them at bedtime. He wrote 150 fairy tales including The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, Little Mermaid, The Princess&Pea, and The Emperor Who Wore No Clothes. His works have been translated into more than 150 languages. In fact, HIS WORKS ARE THE MOST TRANSLATED AFTER THE BIBLE

Other observations/Comments

Their English language skill is impeccable

Denmark consistently ranks #1 as happiest nation in the world! This I knew and have blogged about several times.

I mailed a post card to me for my collection.

I am sending this via free WIFI at the port reception area. This way, I don’t have to use my ship minutes.

Know your new currencies before you go!

I just made wallet-sized currency conversion cards for Swedish Kronor, Danish Kroner, Russian Ruble, British Pound and Euro (Finland and Germany). I read Estonian shops accept Euros and the country is ready to adopt the euro beginning on 1 January 2011.

Swedish Crown Princess Victoria weds a commoner

The bbc.com reports: Crown Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling in a lavish ceremony
Sweden has celebrated a royal wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and her former fitness trainer.

Victoria, 32, tied the knot with 36-year-old commoner Daniel Westling.

More than 1,200 guests, including royals from around the world, attended the lavish ceremony in Stockholm Cathedral.

The couple, who met in 2002, later rode through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage as tens of thousands of people lined the streets.

Victoria was escorted down the aisle by her father. She is first in line to succeed him.


After exchanging vows, the couple took to the same royal barge that Victoria's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, used on their wedding day exactly 34 years ago.

The newlyweds were transported to the Royal Palace, for an evening banquet with guests from around the world.

It is Sweden's first royal wedding since 1976.

Guests attending the festivities include the Norwegian and Danish royal families, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Prince Albert of Monaco, and the UK's Earl and Countess of Wessex.

As Crown Princess Victoria's husband, gym owner Mr Westling has assumed the title of Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland.

Sweden's monarchy has no political power, but the king or queen represents the nation and greets foreign dignitaries

Russia--planning for my trip

Saint Petersburg Tour Itinerary

Ambitious two days-July 4-5, 2010

Day 1--8AM-6PM
City tour and Subway ride through the city (8-930AM)
Visit of the summer residence (45 min drive)
Visit the Catherine’s Palace with the Amber Room (1030-1215)
Lunch at restaurant
The Hermitage museum (2-hour visit) (215-415)
Visit of Peter and Paul’s fortress/cathedral

Optional evening programs. (I will explore seeing the Russian ballet)

Experience the White Nights in Russia!

Day 2-- 830AM-5PM

Canal boat ride sightseeing tour of the city (9-10AM)
Visit Peterhoff Imperial Palace(hour drive) visit lower fountain park and upper gardens
Hydrofoil ride back to city (1-130PM)
Traditional Russian meal at local restaurant
Visit Church of our Savior on the Spilled Blood

7PM--ship departs Russia

Russia visit dominates cruise thoughts

Egypt. She dominated my thoughts as I prepared for my six-country eastern Mediterranean cruise last December.

Russia. She now dominates my thoughts as I prepare for my seven-country Baltic capitals cruise, coming up in a week.

In preparation for my trip, I have immersed myself in the study of Russian culture, history, way of life, traditions, customs, tourist attractions, current events, government, and currency. I even watched Dr. Zhivago and we'll watch three more Russian films next week. During my reading, I came across this interesting summary of cross-cultural perspectives on Russia:

Writing a book that includes everything about contact with Russians would be extremely difficult. Russia, like any other country, has many different facets.

Americans like the scale of things in Russia and the Russian soul, but are irritated by the lack of service.

The English are drawn to Russian culture, but the inability to stand in a queue makes them indignant.

The Germans like Russian hospitality, but do not welcome the dirty streets and public places.

Italians like Russian friendship, but are not comfortable with the familiarity.

The Chinese like the Russian countryside, but cannot understand why things are done so slowly.

I look forward to my journey.

White Nights in Russia

The White Nights describes the few weeks around the summer solstice in June in areas of high latitude during which sunsets are late, sunrises are early and darkness is never complete. The White Nights are a time of celebration in areas such as Saint Petersburg, Russia, where the Sun does not set until after 10 p.m., and the twilight lasts almost all night.

The White Nights Festival in Saint Petersburg is famous for spectacular fireworks and Scarlet Sails, a massive show celebrating the end of school year.

I look forward to seeing this July 4 and 5 in Russia!

Baltic Capitals Cruise on the NCL Sun---- June 28-July 10

I decided to take another 12-night European Cruise in less than one month.
Specifically, I will visit 7 COUNTRIES: Denmark, (East) Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, England, and Russia (overnight stay). 3 countries are new to me: Russia, Finland, and Estonia. Visiting East Germany will also be a first for me.

I am happy I will only have ONE flight—a direct Miami-London flight. The ship leaves from Dover, a port 2 hours from London.

I will take guided tours in St Petersburg and Berlin with a tour company recommended on Cruise Critic boards. In Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tallinn, and Helsinki, I will tour on my own. I am also signed up for the Meet&Greet onboard the NCL Sun, along with 64 others who are posted online. I have read many opinions and suggestions from 16 pages of posts.

I am especially excited to visit Russia for two days.

Interestingly, although 6 of the 7 countries are part of the European Union, only 2(Germany and Finland) utilize the Euro.

Baltic Capitals Here I Come!!