Travel Journal on August 29, 2011

Have a good sleep but not a good breakfast.

Chat with a couple who are not in the tour and it is their first day in Copenhagen. So I write down couple of must to see in Copenhagen for them. Have to rush to the bus as we are leaving Copenhagen.

Farvel Copenhagen! I certainly miss this city.

The coach journey starts. It is raining too! Fortunately we are in the coach. We have 2 hours drive (yep, too long), crossing the new Storebaeltsforbindelsen bridge. The bridge connects to the island of Funen. The wind is so strong that it breaks the bus’ logo almost half way. There is also the rail path which goes above the sea level and then under the sea level. It reminds me my yesterday’s trip.

The TD puts an audio cassette for us to hear before we reach Odense. The first one is the princess and the beans. The second one is the king and his invisible clothes. Have read the stories almost hundred times but never get bored.

Odense is one of the oldest cities of Denmark and had its 1000th anniversary in 1988.

One of the historical landmark is Sankt Knuds Kirke (Saint Canute’s Cathedral). It was formerly connected with the great Benedictine monastery of the same name, and is one of the largest and finest buildings of its kind in Denmark. It is constructed of brick in a pure Gothic style. Originally dating from 1081–1093, it was rebuilt in the 13th century. Under the altar lies Knud (Canute), the patron saint of Denmark, who had planned to conquer England, then ruled by William of Normandy. Knud was slain in an insurrection at Odense in 1086.

Odense is also the see of the bishop of Funen. The cathedral has the skeletons of both the Saint/King and his brother on public display. A large fragment of Byzantine cloth is displayed next to the two skeletons. The cathedral also boasts one of Denmark's finest altarpieces, a magnificent triptych by Claus Berg. Kings Hans (John) and Christian II are buried in the city.

I do love Odense! It is a cute town where Hans Andersen was born. The town is small but have everything. I have a kebab for lunch as am too busy walking around to enjoy my short time here. Meet a cute tiny dog whose owner is busy with her lunch in a restaurant. Poor cutie!

We arrive at Frederikshavn at late afternoon. It has been raining on/off. The dinner in the hotel is so so. I don’t like what they call lobster soup. It is not the real one.

Frederikshavn was originally called Fladstrand (lit. "Flat beach"), until 1818 when it received status as a merchant town under the name of Frederikshavn, after King Frederik VI.

Due to its advantageous proximity to the entrance to the Baltic Sea, Frederikshavn has historically been a naval base of some strategic importance. Peder Tordenskjold barricaded himself here in the fortress that German troops had already built in the 17th century.

The only old military installations remaining to this day are the Gunpowder Tower (Krudttårnet), constructed in 1688, and the Northern Entrenchment (Nordre Skanse). The Gunpowder Tower has been preserved, and is incorporated in the municipality's coat-of-arms.

Have a good walk around the town after dinner. There are many beautiful buildings in this town. The shops are similar to the ones in Stroget, so yes, I only window shop. Notice that some of my tour mates are serious shoppers. They hit shop after shop. Will their luggage be enough at the end of the tour?

The view from my hotel room is gorgeous. The carpet in the hall is a bit smelly, though. Never mind, it’s just for an overnight.