Half Windsor Full Throttle: Our Trip to Copenhagen, Denmark - Part 5 of 9

If you're from North America, you probably suffer from car-focused infrastructure that disregards cyclists. So, the notion of cycling might be fraught with danger. Go to another continent and see how the world is... especially in Denmark. By 2008, Copenhagen had 246 miles of cycle tracks and bike lanes. In order to facilitate bike commuting, it built the first bicycle superhighway, connecting suburbs to the city center. Yet, that never detracts from its excellent public transit; it only aims at reducing pollution emissions and carbon footprints.

Unlike many cultures in the world, Danes kept their enthusiasm for bike-riding.

Even after copying America's 1950s "automotive boom", they reverted back—thus avoiding car-clogged cities.

Unlike America, they learned from the 1970s Oil Crisis to use healthier options... just like the Netherlands did!

In fact, bikes can be brought onto taxis, buses, ferries, commuter trains, and the subway. The city promotes "Cycle Chic" ways of dressing and customizing bikes for various needs. Retailers cater to that desire.

Raised up from the streets, bike lanes are separate from the (further raised) sidewalks. Cobblestone streets have less-resistant stonework for bikes.

"Tax dollars at work": they are regularly swept and plowed.

Numerous bridges were erected ONLY FOR bikers and pedestrians.

Special traffic signals are just for bikers.

Underpasses and tunnels seamlessly avert bikers from losing momentum to cross major boulevards. We used them, and they are sensible and wonderful!

Outdoor staircases have ramps for bike tires.

Intersections have foot rails and hand rails to rest on.

Constables patrol on bikes, horses, and cars.

Wherever we parked our bikes and locked the tires, we left them for hours and they were there when we returned. We left them outside of stores, on alleys, behind buildings, and on the side of the road. All Copenhageners do it.

Lewis took some time to overcome his Manhattan-bred fear of bike theft, but then he was relaxed. It felt safe and free to cycle across Copenhagen!

And so, we joined the throngs and pedaled anywhere we felt like going. The lack of road-rage, bad drivers, blaring horns, and jaywalkers was heavenly. It was refreshing to be around normal, well-bred people.

Our bikes from Ibsens Hotel were equipped with white-wall tires, baskets, tire locks, a bell on the handlebars, and anti-theft GPS.

Here's a video of me exiting the hotel's automatic doors onto the sunny bike-friendly streets...

Here are the pictures that I took at Christianshavn "Christian's Harbor" (the Danish language joins words).

After cycling across a car-free bridge, Lewis and I ventured across two islands on the canal.

You might call it "island hopping"! :-)

We rode across the artistically-designed Circle Bridge. Built in 2015, it has a view of the Royal Library, across the river.

Established in 1648, the Royal Library is one of the largest in the world! Made of Zimbabwe granite, the Black Diamond Building “moving sidewalks” and skywalks. The older half was built in 1906, modeled on Roman Emperor Charlemagne’s Frankish chapel in Aachen Cathedral, circa 800 (which also had skywalks).

*To see the impressive interiors of NYC's most-famous library, please use this link:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2019/11/where-to-read.html

The bridge was so attractive, that we decided to rent a motorboat and sail under it! Using my iPhone, I found the website of FriendShips (better value than GoBoat): $60 for an hour of boating. Their boats use steering wheels, while GoBoat merely uses a rudder on an outboard motor. Boats have tables and cushioned seats for picnics or "wine after work".

Thanks to Google-Maps (which was invented by a Dane), we biked over a couple of bridges to FriendShips:

Inderhavnsbroen is a pedestrian/bike bridge over the Inner Harbor.

Trangravsbroen is a 3-way "butterfly" drawbridge.

After we used the lavatory at FriendShips, a ruggedly handsome guy showed us how to operate the boat. Then, he maneuvered us around the canal. He hopped off and waved goodbye. Grasping the wheel, Lewis steered us under bridges and past houseboats. We navigated back to Circle Bridge. It was a gorgeous day for a nautical adventure.

Enjoy this quick video...

We loved boating in Christianshavn (Christian's Harbor), which King Christian IV modeled after Amsterdam. Amsterdam began construction of its canals in 1613. Copenhagen got its canals in 1639.

*To see our impressive trip to Amsterdam, go here: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2019/08/our-trip-to-netherlands-part-1-of.html

A series of picturesque waterways are lined with perfectly-preserved historic buildings.

Our only mishap occurred when a Tour Barge came behind us faster than we were going.

It startled Lewis who accidentally spun our boat to the side of the canal. A passerby carrying his coffee nicely leaned over the side and calmly instructed us (in English) how to steer ourselves around again. He was a good Samaritan! We laughed at ourselves and waved a Thank-you.

We video-recorded our maritime maneuvering under Circle Bridge. Please turn the sound on...

Coming out on the other side put us in the Inner Harbor.

Looking across the river, we saw the outdoor swimming area named Havnebadet Havnegade. It's one of several public swimming areas that Copenhageners have.

That is wonderful infrastructure for Life/Work Balance.

We sailed underneath Inderhavnsbroen Bridge...

...and much larger bridges for traffic, like Knippel Bridge.

We decided not to venture past the Royal Playhouse.

Opened in 2008, it won the RIBA European Award for architecture.

(If you go past it, a revitalized pier called Ofelia Plads is used for "floating" waterside concerts, sunbathing, sipping wine in municipal deckchairs, and people enjoying hygge.)

Farther down is the modern waterside Opera House.

*For comparison, to see New York City's waterfront properties, please use this link:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2021/05/waterfront-properties-in-new-york-city.html

Turning the motorboat around, I steered us under the 3-way bridge... being mindful of its traffic lights.

I expertly docked us, just before our hour ended.

We biked passed Christiania "Free Town". It is unique in the world as a government-sanctioned commune of semi-self-governed marijuana-selling hippies.

We saw royal guards on the street, and that indicated that the time was approaching 12 noon.

We lunched at an immaculate place called Hidden Dim Sum.

The building's facade has heraldry: the Danish Coat of Arms.

Ironically, it's located adjacent to the city courthouse (built in 1803), just like our favorite dim sum place in Manhattan is also near a courthouse!

Lewis and I agreed that its interior was the cleanest dim sum eatery that we ever saw—including in China!

*To learn about our trip to China, please go here:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-trip-to-china-part-i.html

Copenhagen does not have a Chinatown for the same reason it does not have a "gayborhood": it never needed them. Being an openly-accepting society, all creeds and cultures were able to assimilate without needing a district of their own.

Lewis spoke fluently in Mandarin to our waiter, and the man chatted in English with me. Their large pot of green tea was affordable, as were the handmade pea shoot dumplings, soup dumplings, shrimp rice rolls, turnip cakes, and a platter of succulent duck—all breast meat—in soy sauce glaze.

Obviously, there were no fortune cookies because Danes know that they are not part of Chinese gastronomy. Japanese immigrants brought them to California at the turn-of-the-century. After America illegally imprisoned Japanese immigrants and citizens during WWII, Americans still wanted fortune cookies. They urged Chinese restaurants to make them, and the Japanese cookie industry was taken by Chinese immigrants in California. In typical American style, the treats were perverted into nothingness and are still ignorantly applied to China. Americans are the only ones who still expect fortune cookies from basic Chinese restaurants, uncaring that it's the wrong culture.

*To see when we learned about them in Japan, use this link:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2016/11/our-trip-to-japan-5-of-7-kyoto-gardens.html

Outside, the cobbled plaza filled with beer drinkers.

When we returned to our bikes, someone from Unilqo gave everyone free seat covers. We kept them as souvenirs to regift to friends who ride bikes in NYC.

10 minutes of pedaling got us to the Canal District of Sluseholmen: a Netherlandish spot for swimmers & boaters.

Then, we rode to Østerbro, an upscale neighborhood of pretty buildings that are capped with copper spires.

We enjoyed the variety of shops such as Noa Noa, Men Under Development, and McVERDI Østerbro.

Drawn in by their outside displays, Lewis bought a summery dress for his Mom at this store. Alongside their fragrances, they sold scented disinfectant wipes. We wish we could buy that in America.

As I took a picture of scenery, a boy walked by me wearing ancient Roman armor. Thinking the picture was of him, he waved at me! So friendly.

We popped into Bosse Bageri (Bakery).

Lewis bought two chocolate-covered marzipan "eggs" called påskeæg. I got a marzipan log filled with rum-soaked sponge cake for $3.50. In New York, a globally-prominent chain of Danish cafés called Ole & Steen sells those logs for $6.00: twice the price!

Devouring his eggs, Lewis quickly went back for another... and he got the third at a discount because the shopkeeper was flattered! :-)

We snacked by the lake, where out bikes were locked beside the road. People traipsed by, smiling at us.

The Danish word for "speed" is "fart". So, if you're speedy, I'll call you farty! Ha ha!

We pedaled under Queen Louise Bridge...

...then turned around and went across it. We biked 11 miles!

Always timely, the church bells tolled 5pm, signaling the start of our hotel's Cozy Hour. We sipped our complimentary glasses of wine in the bar. Then, I purchased a cocktail.

We dined in the hotel's Italian restaurant: La Rocca. With élan, our waiter made us comfortable for a meal of Zuppa Di Mare, Linguine with Clams, thickly-cut Chops, and Veal tenderloin with mushroom gravy. Delicious!