"I Always Say : "People Make Places"" Copenhagen by johngayton

Copenhagen Travel Guide: 3,848 reviews and 9,691 photos

And Sometimes Lions Do Too!

I must apologise to Raz before I even start this, I am probably going to totally mangle the story of this lion, but here goes anyway:
It seems that there were a couple of wars between Denmark and Germany in the 1800's, the Danes won the first one but lost the second, and this lion was captured by the Germans and taken to Berlin. As Raz accounts: just after the end of hostilities in 1945 a certain Danish (?)journalist and an American general were having a few drinks in Berlin and the journalist mentions this lion - one thing the Yanks are good at is logistics!

The lion was immediately located, transportation organised and taken home to Copenhagen, delivered to the king personally - quick knock on door: "Hi Your Majesty, here's your lion back."

This created a minor problem in that they had no idea where to put it, after all Thorvaldsens statues occupy most of the main places where statues can be located and Bishop Absalom the other, and so, given this lions belliferous history, he was put outside the armory on his plinth, and a square built around him.

This is my intro to Copenhagen - but I love the story, mangled it though I may have done - Please feel absolutely free to correct details :)

As I say in my main title, it is people........

Raz at La Glace

And here is the original storyteller, taking a breather at La Glace - tip to follow.

From an all too short visit to Copenhagen all I can really provide are a few first impressions and these were all good: the scenery, history, architecture, food, the people I met - especially the people.

For some reason I had a pre-conceived idea that the Danes would be brusque and business-like, lacking humour - but this was definitely not so! I even met a local called Erik in Claus's bar who could outquote me on Robert Burns, which is pretty damn impressive!

Everyone, without exception, that I met, was helpful and friendly, from the receptionist at the hotel to the barman at the bar at the airport going home.

Which of course brings me to my favourite subject, I knew I could manipulate this intro in this direction :)

Another preconception which I had was that beer was going to be horrendously expensive, this proved not to be the case AT ALL.

The CPH 3, Greenlanders and New Friends :-)

People Certainly Make Places - The CPH 3!

Just back from the most amazing weekend here in Copenhagen; a weekend of sunshine, great company, dancing with Greenlanders, good food, a bit of culture and history, a new country visited and one or two beers imbibed - purely for social lubricaton LOL ;)

Coming across my friend Claus's meeting to be held in a brewery on the Friday was just the sort of thing I couldn't turn down: adding on a day trip by train and ferry to Sweden and a minor pub crawl with my to be betrothed, Raz, ably assisted by Allan, and finishing with a pleasant al fresco lunch on the Sunday with new friends made for a trip which will be difficult (if not impossible) to surpass.

The 4 days yielded perhaps a total of 15 hours sleep but such was the buzz created that any more would have been superflous - this was serious party time commencing even before I met up with the rest of the crew and it was with leaden feet and a heavy heart that I departed on the Sunday evening but the weekends' memories reproduce an instant high as I sort through my photos and type up this page.

Cheers Guys, and thanks especially for all the fish!!

Tips and travelogues will probably take weeks to complete, so that'll be weeks of reliving the whole thing, weeks of returning to someplace magical, memories unforgetable.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beer not too expensive
Cons:Beer not free
In a nutshell:There's more to Copenhagen than Carlsberg!

Last visit to Copenhagen: Jan 2012
Intro Updated Feb 23, 2012
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Reviews (52)

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Comments (18)

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wise23girl Nov 28, 2012 at 12:57 PM

We were there for a wedding in July this year so that took a bit of our time. Met with Team Viking
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mirchica Mar 7, 2012 at 12:05 AM

Wow - it's so beer-pub place! Like it :)))
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Nemorino Oct 28, 2009 at 3:42 PM

You've added a bunch of fine new tips and updates since I last looked at this page in December 2007. I had a great time in Copenhagen last June! Once to save time I got a quite good sandwich and coffee at that same 7-11 store.
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HansDK Jun 28, 2009 at 3:36 PM

From 04:44 to 23:04 trains are leaving minimum every 10 minutes
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ForestqueenNYC Nov 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM

John, I was in Copenhagen last spring. Looking forward to returning in March. Funny, I didn't like it while I was there, but I think about it alot now and can't wait to return.
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rcsparty Oct 2, 2008 at 4:52 AM

Seems like the summer has flown by traveling for work...lot's of trips to Europe, Mexico and S.Africa. Did manage New Orleans for fun though. Take care and have an end of summer pint for me.
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titabell Aug 3, 2008 at 11:37 AM

Hi John, thanks for these wonderful tips about Copenhagen. It is on my travel list this year and i could use your useful tips. Thanks...
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TheView Jan 12, 2008 at 2:43 PM

Next time your in town you have to try out the Jacobsen beers. They just proof that Carlsberg can make good beer if somebody likes to pay a little extra of it.
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Ina22Marina May 23, 2007 at 9:15 PM

A delight to read John, about each and all of past and present stops in CPH!! Cheers, Marina
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poons May 21, 2007 at 9:26 AM

hehe... I love the way you journey ;o) Have a great time John. I'll be passing through myself en-route to Mockba!