The equivalent to our national library is the Royal Library - called the Black Diamond - spectacular both inside and out.
This is for Nicky, the architect in the family. Very clever louvres on the Black Diamond that deflect to allow sun in or block it out.
From inside the library
In the Library was a very confronting photo exhibition recording this event
'In the afternoon of January 16, 1969, the twenty-year old history student walked to the top of Wenceslas Square and set himself on fire. He died in hospital three days later of severe burns. In a letter left at the scene, Jan called on the Czechoslovak people to preserve what remained of democracy in the country and demanded that censorship be abolished. His funeral, attended by thousands of people, turned into a spontaneous demonstration in support of freedom and Jan Palach's grave in a Prague cemetery became a symbol of resistance. Two other men, Jan Zajic and Evzen Plocek, followed Jan Palach's example in early 1969 - despite his protestations for them not to - sacrificing their lives in protest against the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact troops. '
We were in this square at the end of last year and were touched to see this photo of so many people there for Jan Paalach's funeral.
People carry allsorts in the carriers on front of their bikes - a couple of children in this case and a pet below.
I really want to believe that alternative communities are a force for good but almost all the ones that I have visited disappoint me. A visit to Christiana today was no exception. It was built on inspiring principles but, like Nimbin, has ended up being a smelly refuse heap with lots of stoned people sitting around. Why does this happen so often. I am sure there must be good examples out there that I haven't found many yet.
No visit to Copenhagen is complete without seeing the little mermaid
Who cares if you can't get breakfast at your B&B when you can have brunch at NyHavn watching the boats go by.
The Danes must be spitting chips. Their local lad, Jorn Utzon, comes to Oz and designs our fabulous Opera house and then when they need a new one this is what they end up with. I am sure it is superb but not a patch on ours.
The new National Theatre
Oooops!! Bad mistake yesterday - my lack of proficiency in Danish meant that I mistook the Danish Parliament buildings for the Palace. Sorry. But we still didn't see the royals altough our dinner companions last night said they could often be seen out and about - just not where we were. So these are the palace.
This is the closest we got to Princess Mary and Fred
This is for Andy and Christy - a water feature with fish.
More beautiful people - they all seem to look like Emily and her children.
The last 2 nights we have eaten at a great restaurant called BioMio http://copenhagen.unlike.net/locations/305793-Bio-Mio It is just down the road from us and has great fresh simple organic food. A really nice atmosphere and the manager and barmen are both Aussies.
We have really enjoyed Copenhagen in spite of the weather. It is very enviro friendly - more than a third of the traffic is cycles and they have a rush hour 'green wave' for bikes so that they can maintain a good speed with green lights favouring them.
It takes me back to our years in Oxford where we had no car (and no TV) for 3 years. Some days it was hard work cycling to school or church in the mornings at sub zero temps with 2 little children but we were very fit.
I've done some extra blogs because we are about to start cruising and if previous experiences are anything to go by, internet access will be prohibitively expensive unless i can find an internet cafe on land. Keep in touch Love from us both K&P
