After our great trip to Sweden and Norway (made just a little bit disappointing because our camera lost battery in Oslo and we missed getting all the great photos we wanted from there and Bergen), we were happy
to return to our cozy home in Glumsoe, Denmark for our last week in Scandinavia. We took one more day trip to Copenhagen and spent the other days continuing to explore the wonderful island of Zealand, as well as the neighboring islands of Mon, Falster and Lolland. There was nowhere more than an hour drive so we hit delightful harbor towns on the Baltic, the Norwegian and the North Seas. We had many highlights and really no lowlights - even the weather was exceptionally (according to the locals) beautiful - averaging about 72 every day. We had a couple of days of spotty rain, but generally just wonderful. The other amazing thing for us was that we didn't play a single day of golf!!! - just too many other things to do and see.
to return to our cozy home in Glumsoe, Denmark for our last week in Scandinavia. We took one more day trip to Copenhagen and spent the other days continuing to explore the wonderful island of Zealand, as well as the neighboring islands of Mon, Falster and Lolland. There was nowhere more than an hour drive so we hit delightful harbor towns on the Baltic, the Norwegian and the North Seas. We had many highlights and really no lowlights - even the weather was exceptionally (according to the locals) beautiful - averaging about 72 every day. We had a couple of days of spotty rain, but generally just wonderful. The other amazing thing for us was that we didn't play a single day of golf!!! - just too many other things to do and see. One of our favorite trips was up to the most northwest tip of Denmark - the Sjellands Odde (or peninsula). There is a little town there, Havnebyen, which has the best fresh fish market imaginable, plus 
the local farmers have a small market with the best berries we have ever seen or tasted - raspberries larger than my thumb. We hiked out to the end of the peninsula and put our feet in the Norwegian Sea. Another great highlight was arriving in Nykobing on the isle of Falster while they were having their annual festival. We were drinking beer in the town square listening to a terrific blues group from Brooklyn (!) when a friendly Dane overheard us talking in English and engaged us in conversation. This was pretty unusual as the Danes are really a shy people and, while friendly, don't really engage strangers voluntarily. He suggested that if we had the time that we should try his favorite restaurant - provided we had a good GPS, because we would never find it on our own. 
Happily we had one and we set out that evening to find it. We were a little nervous 
after we turned off on a one lane road, then even more concerned when we left the paved road and drove through a dense forest for about a mile before we saw a small sign. We turned in and parked and walked about 100 yards when the forest ended and we found ourselves on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Baltic Sea. This restaurant was perched on the cliff, had about a dozen outdoor tables, and were fully reserved for the evening!! About 20 miles from any town and on a Thursday evening - but they finally took pity on we poor Americans and found us a table inside. And it was wonderfully worth it - what a great find - both the festival and the restaurant. We also found ourselves only about 15 minutes from one of Denmark's most popular beaches - Karrebaekesminde, and went there several times both for the seafood and for the people watching. Sadly, my topless beauty count was pretty low - guess the Danes have cleaned up their act a bit.
the local farmers have a small market with the best berries we have ever seen or tasted - raspberries larger than my thumb. We hiked out to the end of the peninsula and put our feet in the Norwegian Sea. Another great highlight was arriving in Nykobing on the isle of Falster while they were having their annual festival. We were drinking beer in the town square listening to a terrific blues group from Brooklyn (!) when a friendly Dane overheard us talking in English and engaged us in conversation. This was pretty unusual as the Danes are really a shy people and, while friendly, don't really engage strangers voluntarily. He suggested that if we had the time that we should try his favorite restaurant - provided we had a good GPS, because we would never find it on our own. 
Happily we had one and we set out that evening to find it. We were a little nervous 
after we turned off on a one lane road, then even more concerned when we left the paved road and drove through a dense forest for about a mile before we saw a small sign. We turned in and parked and walked about 100 yards when the forest ended and we found ourselves on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Baltic Sea. This restaurant was perched on the cliff, had about a dozen outdoor tables, and were fully reserved for the evening!! About 20 miles from any town and on a Thursday evening - but they finally took pity on we poor Americans and found us a table inside. And it was wonderfully worth it - what a great find - both the festival and the restaurant. We also found ourselves only about 15 minutes from one of Denmark's most popular beaches - Karrebaekesminde, and went there several times both for the seafood and for the people watching. Sadly, my topless beauty count was pretty low - guess the Danes have cleaned up their act a bit.Our home exchange was wonderful, and Nicolai and his family said they had a terrific time staying in our home and in Auburn. We certainly plan on doing many more exchanges in the future. And we also give all three 
Scandinavian countries the highest possible visitor rating. The countries are all beautiful with lots of varied geography, but with lots of emphasis on their relationship with the seas. The people are not terribly outgoing, but are exceptionally friendly and helpful - especially to Americans. Their social and political system is to be envied, not so much for the welfare aspect, but because their government, their businesses,and the people themselves all seem to put the interests of their people first. They are all rated amongst the happiest people on the planet and it rubs off on the visitors.
Scandinavian countries the highest possible visitor rating. The countries are all beautiful with lots of varied geography, but with lots of emphasis on their relationship with the seas. The people are not terribly outgoing, but are exceptionally friendly and helpful - especially to Americans. Their social and political system is to be envied, not so much for the welfare aspect, but because their government, their businesses,and the people themselves all seem to put the interests of their people first. They are all rated amongst the happiest people on the planet and it rubs off on the visitors.Looking forward to our next adventure and Life On the Road,
BJ and Al
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