Some Favorite (Danish) Things

Posted on: Thursday, July 5th, 2012
Posted in: Travelog, Blog | 2 comments

Ten days in a picturesque Danish fishing (and vacationing) village works wonders for the psyche and soul. At some point, I felt a groovy, easy feeling that rarely happens at home amid real world nonsense and only sometimes happens on vacation—but often happens when taking a full-on BreakAway.

  • So much nothing to do

Oh sure, Hornbaek was sleepy at times, and just plain dead at others. It’s true, the restaurants and bars weren’t all that, and the shops barely existed.  To be honest, the weather was at times disappointing, forcing us to spend time relaxing in a striking, spare house of traditional Danish design.

I must confess, I slept too much, and ate (and cooked) more than my share with excellent, fresh ingredients. And let’s not even mention the languid days spent lounging in libraries, getting lost in castles, lingering at slow-food eateries, and wandering around coastal towns.

If a picture paints 1,000 words, I need not say much more. Instead, I’ll let the pictures tell the story, with a simple caption for explanation. May they bring you, too, a moment of faraway dreaming and repose.

Most might call it Danish-flag art; I call it what kids do when unplugged and left to their own creative (vs digital) devices.

 

Some days at the beach never fail to amuse; toys, towels, and beverages optional.

 

Life without cars? Nothing better. Family bike riding on safe roads with a fancy lorry for carrying stuff beats the heck out of fighting for parking at the mall.

 

Danish design helps with lean, clean thinking–whether or not that also translates to my writing.

 

Home cookin’ with fresh, affordable seafood makes for happy, healthy bellies (and billfolds).

 

Those silly Danes…they still believe in traditions, trolls, and things like thatched roofs.

 

Colorful fishing villages make for a photographer’s paradise.

 

In Helsingor, they’ve erected this controversial (and fun and funny) sculpture called “Han,” which means “He.” A contemporary counterpart to the famous Little Mermaid.

 

In Kronborg, also known as Hamlet’s castle, this massive ballroom sure could use a dance party.

 

All around Denmark, on the Saturday after the summer solstice (at sundown), they sing traditional songs, burn a witch, and then party like modern-day Vikings around blazing bonfires.

 

On one rainy, muddy day, we went back in time for a raucous Medieval festival held at nearby Esrum, an ancient monastery.

 

It’s true, the grass is greener in charming, eco-friendly Denmark.

 

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2 Responses to “Some Favorite (Danish) Things”

  1. Kim A. Says:
    July 5th, 2012 at 6:43 am

    Hi Kirk,

    Followed your link from fb and landed here. I probably said this before, but your blog is terrific! I love the photographs, the writing, and the off-the-tourist-track philosophy. I’m not a fan of programmed tours and mostly prefer to find quiet, less-traveled spots where one can see local culture in action and really get to know the place and people. I don’t like to be crazy-busy when I’m on vacation and I’d really rather see the local library or cafe than another monument or statue. Clearly you and your family have perfected the method! So glad you shared this blog…. thanks so much.

    Kim

    P.S. thanks for the airbnb tip! what a great site–will keep it in mind for the next trip.

  2. kirk Says:
    July 8th, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Hey Kim A,

    Thanks for the kind words! I think we’re on the same page. Some R&R beats a tour through Midtown any day, and makes for memories that appreciate in value (more than most an investment) as time goes by. Hope your summer is bringing you some P&Q and happy sails too, *kirk

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