Rosenborg Castle : Rooms of the Castle

On August 6th, 2011 I went to the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, I have already posted a blog post about the Treasury and Crowned jewels. After looking at all the beautiful jewels in the Treasury I made my way to the rooms in Rosenborg Castle. This blog post is going to be just a picture post.  I really hope you enjoy all my pictures. Thank you to all my friends and family for your love and support. 

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Rosenborg Castle

Christian IV's 'Winter Room' - Ceiling & paneling in Renaissance style.

Fireplace mantel in Christian IV's 'Winter Room'

Christian IV's Writing closet - Portraits of earlier kings.

Christian IV's toilet room - ceiling.

Christian IV's toilet - The glazed tiles are from Delft, and were placed in the castle in 1708.

Christian V's room - Decorated with late 17th century Flemish tapestries.  

Pictures in the stair case to the second floor

Frederik V's Room 'The Rose'

Frederik V's room "The rose" -- Paintings, furniture and other objects in the Rococo style of his time. 

Frederik IV's Corridor - Exhibits mainly from the time of the king.

Frederik IV's cabinet - Used by his sister Sophine Hedvig.

Christian VI room - Painting on the ceiling

Christian VII's room - Designed in 1782-1784 in the Neoclassic style to house the Royal Coin Collection. 

Christian VIII's room - Original ceiling from Christian IV's time. 

Royal seal on the ceiling of the Long Hall

Ceiling of the Long Hall

3 silver lions that guard the royal throne

The tapestries are made in Copenhagen and depicts battles from the Scanian War 1675-1679.

Rosenborg Castle

My parents adventure in Europe

I would think that most of my family already knows that my mother and father were with me in Denmark and that we made a trip to Rome. I figured if my parents are really going to make an effort to come all the way to Denmark there was no reason why we could not make a two hour flight to Rome.

On Sept 5th, my parents landed in Copenhagen, I think the main thing that my parents will remember was that I was late. I missed the early train I wanted to take and when I got to the airport my parents were standing in the airport with their luggage. I felt bad that I was late but all was well. Since we all had luggage we took the taxi to the apartment I rented while we were in Copenhagen.

The apartment I rented in North Copenhagen (Østebro) turned out to be the best idea ever. The apartment had three nice size beds, a nice kitchen, a washer and dryer in the basement and of course a bathroom and shower. I would think that the only complaint my parents and I had was that shower was REALLY small. The location of this apartment was great, it was a nice quiet area, with a grocery store only 1 block away and a great Chinese/Thai restaurant across the street.

Basically the first day my parents were in Copenhagen was very much a relax (I can't believe I am in Europe) type of day with one stipulation they had to stay awake until 8pm. I made my parents stay awake because they would suffer from jet lag the entire trip if I did not force them to stay awake this first day. But at 8pm both mom and dad were out like a light.


On Sept 6th, I only had two things scheduled for my mom and dad; a canal tour of Copenhagen and a visit to Tivoli. During the canal tour, besides being a little cold my parents really enjoyed seeing Copenhagen. Later that day I took my parents to Tivoli, we had a nice dinner and stayed in Tivoli after sunset to see the Nimb all lite up. Of course took plenty of pictures of my parents with the scenery in the background.

Nimb in Tivoli

Nyhavn, Copenhagen

Roskilde Cathedral

On Sept 7th, I took my parents through the Danish countryside to where I work. I timed it so that we would arrive at where I work just as lunch began so that my parents could be served a traditional Danish meal. That day at work the lunch ladies made frikkadellea a great traditional Danish dish. I introduced my parents to my supervisor and my co-workers. I showed my parents around the research center, my office, my lab bench and even my plants in my greenhouse. On this particular day was the farewell party for one of my colleagues (Br). So my parents got to also enjoy so great cake, afternoon snacks and wine. On our way back to Copenhagen we made a short stop at the Roskilde Cathedral. My plan was to show my parents the inside of this huge cathedral but there was actually a mass going on inside. I thought it was a bit odd to have mass on a Friday but oh well. I still got a couple pictures of my parents with the cathedral in the background.

Then on Sept 8 to 13 the three of us were in Rome and that adventure deserves it own blog post. (Coming Soon)

On Sept 13 when we arrived back in Copenhagen after our adventure in Rome we were all exhausted. The three of us went across the street to a great restaurant called Wokshop. It was good food and with a full stomach we all passed out. The next day (Sept 14th) the three if us just relaxed. Of course I went to Netto to get some food but it felt good to relax.

King Tutankhamun

On Sept 15, I took my parents to the King Tutankhamun exhibit in Malmo, Sweden. It was a good exhibit and my parents both seemed to enjoy it.

Sept 16th was another relaxing day mixed with a bit of packing and organizing. We did make a short trip to Rosenborg Castle and walked around the King's grounds. Just like me, my parents were amazed the castle, I mean you just don't see those in the US. Later that night my mom found a NFL game on the television and was getting a kick out of the Danish announcers.

On Sept 17th, after 12 days with my parents it was time to say goodbye. At the airport we said our goodbyes and gave each other hugs.

Overall my parents had a great Europe trip and I am really glad that they could make the trip over the ocean.

Day as a tourist

Written on August 3rd, 2012

Today I took a day off from work to do two things. 1) Accompany my friend D to airport and wish her luck on her six month study aboard trip in New York and 2) be a tourist for a day in Copenhagen.

Joining D to airport was easy and she seemed to have everything under control so I think I was there for moral support. But I am not even sure she need that. I know she appreciated the fact that I was there and we both know she will have a great time in NY.

So around 9:45 am I waved goodbye to D and made my way to Østerport. I have lived in Denmark for almost two years and I have never seen the front of the little mermaid statue. Yes, I have seen the back of the statue many times while on a canal tour boat but I have never seen the front of the statue.

As I am making my way to the little mermaid a tourist asked me for directions for the little mermaid and I said I was heading that direction and he could just come with me. This Asian tourist said "Wow, your English is really good".   I just said thank you while thinking in my head 'Yeah I really hope my English is good'. The two of us walked to the little mermaid and this statue was absolutely surround by tourists.

 I will see the mermaid again in September so I was not about to fight for a picture with it. Then the Asian tourist and I walked around the area and found a really neat church with a beautiful fountain in front. I told the Asian tourist (who said he was only in Copenhagen for one day) that the best way to see Copenhagen is by the canal boats. I directed him to go to central station and go to the tourist office right outside central station and they will tell you where all the canal boats are. The Asian tourist went on his way telling me "Thank you thank you. I never would of seen so much without your help."

I went on my way trying to find the Marble Church and after walking around a bit I did find the church but I could not get really close because of lots of road construction. About this time it was close to noon and I planned to meet K for lunch. So I made my way to Nørrport and got on the bus to meet up with K. The two of us had a great lunch and fun girl chat. After lunch K had to get back to work but it was great to see a good friend.

I made my way back to Nørrport and I decided this is a good time and a good place to do a few errands. After an hour of productive shopping I wanted to put up my feet for a while and just relax. So I made my way to the Rosenborg Castle grounds. Behind the castle there is a nice park, I found an empty park bench, relaxed there and read my kindle for about an hour. It was great to sit there in the great weather and just relax and read.

After reading I decided I should try to get to the Marble church again. I now know that one entrance was completely blocked but the other entrance hopefully was not blocked and it wasn't. The church was amazing and smaller compared to other churches but still amazing. I also found out while I was there that at 1 and 3 pm every day you can go up to the top dome and see Copenhagen. I bet it is an amazing view and very much worth going back and trying.

Next to the Marble church was Ameliborg castle, where the royal family live mostly during the winter but today there were at least two royal family members there.  How could I tell? Well on top of the house (if you can call it a house) the Denmark flag was raised meaning that a royal family member was there. Plus you can't miss the guards with the guns. And just like the British royal guards; the Danish royal guards do not react to anything. There were some tourist that were messing around the guard; I thought it as stupid but that is tourists for you. On the opposite side of the castle grounds there is a large fountain next to the harbor. It was a great view and I decided to follow to path along the harbor just for fun. I already knew that the harbor path would eventually take me back to the little mermaid. I took a nice leisurely walk and just enjoyed the sights, sounds and weather.

After that I decide to take care of some more errands around the Copenhagen area. I had some dinner in a nice restaurant and then took the next train back to my apartment. All and all I call that a good leisure day around Copenhagen; I saw a few interesting sites and I took some time off just to relax and read. I call that a good day.

A night under the stars

On August 17th, Cx, Js and I went salsa dancing at Roskilde harbor. The day before all of us were in the DHL 5 k relay (Cx ran where Js and I walked) and we had some left over food from the event. So we decided to eat the left over food with a few bottles of wine picnic style at the harbor before the dancing started. Cx lives in Roskilde so we walked to her place packed up some extra food, utensils, wine glasses and two bottles of wine.

At the harbor we found a picnic table and laid out our spread and opened out first bottle of wine. As we started eating some of Cx sailing friends came and joined us in out little picnic.  I knew a few Cx friends and I was introduced to many more throughout the night.

At 7pm the lesson started and many in our picnic group went to join in. I over extended my knee during the 5 k walk the day before and I thought it was best not to aggravate it. So I sat out the lesson and just watched. I have been going to a few salsa dancing events during the summer and I learning a little each time.

Some of you might wonder "What is the fun of sitting there watching every one else dance while you sit there with your bum knee?" I think sitting outside enjoying the good weather while it lasts and being with good company is much better than sitting alone in my apartment. I really did not mind sitting at the  picnic table watching every one else dance. Plus there were so many people in our picnic group that most of the time someone was sitting there next to me.

At 8pm the live band started playing and everyone went onto the dance floor and started dancing. I really enjoyed the entire atmosphere: the sky was clear with a few clouds, the weather was perfect and the sun was setting over the water. As the sun started to fade they turned on the strings of white lights around the dance floor and they lit the candles on each picnic table. The atmosphere was so relaxing and fun; I really was enjoying myself even if I was just watching. Plus it was not that bright with the lights and candles I could still look up and see the stars.

There were a few times when the music was just so good I just had to get and dance a bit. I know my mom (who's a nurse) would rather I stay off my knew but I just could not help myself.  And when the live band was not playing the DJ was playing music so the music kept coming.

Throughout the night people in our group had to make trip to their nearby apartment or house to get more wine. With what seemed like an endless flow of music and wine we were all having an awesome time.

At around 10:30 pm the live played their last song of the night and the DJ played a few more songs. Around 11 pm the DJ stopped playing but there was still plenty of people dancing and they wanted more. The DJ played one more song and then he started to pack his equipment.

Our picnic party which started out as 3 people (Cx, Js, and I) grew to 8, were still working on wine bottle #6 so it was decided that we were going to meet Otto. Otto is a wooden sailing boat, which Cx and her sailing friends take out onto the water during sailing season. Otto is a replica of a type of a Viking sailing boat and it was quite large. There was enough room for me and many others in the group to lie on the deck of the boat and watching the sky looking for shooting stars. (Yes, I did see one!) It was just a great relaxing time talking and laughing the others.

But every great night has to end and around midnight people started to head home and Cx, Js and I walked back to Cx's apartment to crash for the night.

Throughout this whole night I tried to take a few pictures but with so little light none of my pictures turned out. This night was one of those nights you just have to remember.

UPDATE: My pictures did not turn out but Js pictures did!

Typical Weather in Denmark

Today at work while I was working in the green house I saw some dark clouds roll in.  With the lush green grass and trees and the white windmills spinning in the distance it was a great view.  I took a short break and went outside to enjoy the view and the cool breeze.  I even saw a few lighting strikes. 

After my break outside I went back to work and that is when the heavy rain and sleet started falling down. The rain and sleet hitting the glass with the lighting and thunder made for an interesting show.  My co-work was a little anxious about all the lighting and thunder but I was loving it.

Just as quick as the storm came it was gone and the sun came back out.  This is typical weather in Denmark, sunny one minute, raining the next and then back to sunny.

Pulled myself up by the boot straps

I first want to say "Sorry" for not writing on my blog for over 7 months. I have personally gone through a lot and it just took some time for me to even feel like writing. Not long after the New Year my family lost an important family member. We all knew this day would come and yet when it did, we were not ready.

I was crying on Skype while talking to my mother and she said "You knew this could happen while you were in Denmark." But that was not why I was crying, I was crying because of guilt. I was back in the States for Christmas and New Year; if I pressed my boss for more time off; if I spent more money; I could of seen him before he died. It was because of this guilt that I spent $2000 on a flight home. I might not have been there to say "Hi" but I was going to be there to say "Goodbye".

 I think this is about the time when reality (and a bit of depression) of how far away and how much I am missing my family set in. I have always lived a fair distance from my family but never on the other side of ocean. True, I can Skype with my family every day but I have to go a full year before I get a hug.  After the funeral I really missed those hugs and just the company my family gives me.

 After the funeral things at work here in Denmark got really busy and by the time I got back to my apartment I was so exhausted I went straight to sleep. This process of continuously being busy continued for months when I finished one project I would have to go to the other.

 In the spring a few people back in the States who I am very close to were going through a difficult time. Here they are crying or upset during the Skype call and all I can say is "Imaginary hug".  I felt so useless,  I can send cards, I can email them, I can talk to them but I can't truly be there for them, I can not give them a hug and tell them in person that it will ok.  It was so frustrating for me. I was seriously considering just quitting and coming home.

"What would that accomplish?" he said. "Yes, having you here would make everything so much easier for me. But then I would feel guilty that I made you quit. And you will feel regret for leaving your PhD. Stay there. Finish."  Sometimes it is a good thing to have someone snap some sense into you.

When summer started other people began asking if I want to go out on trip with them. In June, R and I had a great time at Egeskov Castle. We actually had our own little adventure just getting to this castle.

Egeskov Castle in Fyn.

This fun trip with R reminded me exactly why I am here in Denmark. I am not just here to work and then leave with my PhD. I am here to live and I here to see and experience things that others can only imagine.  After that trip with R, I started to pull myself out of this little funk. I started to actually leave my apartment more, instead of locking myself inside.

 And with the better weather and my better attitude some of my girl friends and I had relaxing outings in Copenhagen. And with the continued good weather I plan to do more sightseeing but mostly around Denmark right now.  Of course, I am still really busy and sometimes I can not take a whole day off and go sightseeing. On those days were the weather is great but I had to work, I would work hard, leave work around 4pm, go the local cafe, order a drink, maybe a snack and sit in the sun while reading my kindle.

 I have successfully pulled myself up by the boot straps and back out there enjoying life here in Denmark. So with this I will restart posting my adventures and sometimes my daily life in Denmark.

I love you all.