July 9 – July 13, 2007, Denmark : We were a day late in getting to Denmark – our hydrofoil ferry from Norway was cancelled due to high waves on the Baltic. After an additional zoo day in Kristiansand, we caught the slower boat to Hirtshals, on the north coast of Denmark.
Differences between Norway and Denmark are apparent immediately upon driving off the boat. Denmark has rolling, lush farmland, much different than the small fields around the fjords. It must have been much easer to be a Dane, at least until oil was discovered in the North Sea. Prices are markedly lower as well. The German influence is clear – Danish beer is half the price and available everywhere, including highway rest stops.
The wind can be impressive, particularly when it catches the car coming crosswise. Danish roads have wind socks situated in strategic spots (together with signs informing you of their location). Lots of windmills generating electricity – the size of these is astonishing. We didn’t get a sense of how large one of the triple versions is until we passed a blade being trucked down the highway on an oversize semi.
Food continues to be little trouble for the midgets. Sierra will eat most things as long as they are not spicy and not (too) green. Kade eats anything made of meat. We did run into a spot of trouble when Laura ordered lamb. Sierra made the connection to her favorite stuffed animals and burst into tears – it took some time to convince her that we were not planning to cook and eat them. Venison and reindeer have also figured on a number of menus, but she failed to make the connection with Bambi’s mother and with Rudolph.
Sierra might be forgiven for thinking that Denmark is one big amusement park- we started at Legoland in Billund and then went to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Legoland is amazing – almost everything is made of Lego. There are scale models of many towns and sights, including Miyajima shrine in Japan, the Statue of Liberty, and Bergen in Norway. The Bergen model even included the hotel where we stayed, wrought small. Many of the models have moving parts, including boats, ships, airplanes, and working bridges and locks. Most of the scenery (giraffes, zebras, statues) visible in the pictures and movie is built from lego. There are also bins of the stuff scattered around the park, free for anyone to use.
Tivoli is a different kind of place – a combination of amusement park, garden, and public performance area. Sierra was fascinated by the pantomime performance – she sat rapt on Don’s shoulders for the entire half hour. Jazz and pops performances made them sway and dance.