We have both enjoyed our brief stay here in Copenhagen. I mentioned previously the unbelievable amount of rubbish strewn all over the streets that we saw as we arrived. We had no idea what had been going on. Everywhere we went in the centre of the city, there was litter and broken glass. Well, we found out from the hotel that there had been the annual five day alternative Street Party, Distortion, which had finished the night before we arrived. This event has grown out of all proportion and is attended by up to 100,000 people. Now the politicians are talking about limiting it, as it is having an effect on Copenhagen's tourist industry.
As we left the hotel, we saw the first street cleaners attempting to clear up the mess.
Our drive took us about 160 kms south of Copenhagen to catch the ferry that crosses the entrance to the Baltic Sea, taking us to the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.
Before we reached the ferry, we turned on to the side roads and went through some lovely farming country and into the small town of Vordinborg which had a ruined 12th century castle. We parked beneath the tower and walked up to the castle where we could see the remains of the walls.
There were some very pretty houses next to the castle.
The castle tower which had dozens of crows flying out of nests built inside it.
The ruined walls.
As we drove away, we went past this statue of a man, or was it a woman?
The road to the ferry went over several old iron bridges which were quite narrow.
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When we reached the ferry and checked in, this Prius was parked alongside us. It was taking part in an electric car event going from Tallinn to Monte Carlo. Below is a photo of the event support coach. The driver of the Prius told me they had more cars joining in Germany and other countries along the route.
Boarding yet another ferry! I have lost count of how many ferries we have used on the drive.
Passengers sunning themselves as we crossed the Baltic, on our 45 minute journey.
As we approached the ferry terminal in Germany, we had our last views of the Baltic. We really have gone all the way round it!
A ferry was leaving the terminal for Denmark as we were about to dock.
Entering the state of Schleswig-Holstein, we were back in Germany again after nearly five weeks of driving.
The drive to Hamburg was an easy one along the autobahn and we arrived at our hotel just before 3pm.
The Hamburg Fairmont, where we were staying for one night.
Opposite the hotel is the giant fountain in the inner Alster Lake.
We decided to take the open bus tour of Hamburg. Fortunately for us, the bus stopped outside our hotel and we only had to wait five minutes for it to arrive.The hotel is near the main shopping area of Hamburg and this is the famous department store, Alsterhaus.
Our bus with, on the left, our German guide who spoke fluent English.
The town hall.
St. Michael's Lutheran Church.
The massive concrete statue of Otto von Bismarck, the German Chancellor at the beginning of the 20th century.
An interesting sign as we entered the district where the Beatles started performing in the early 1960's.
Hamburg has some amazing modern architecture. As the bus was going along, we attempted to take reasonable photos but at times we weren't very successful, as in this photo of the Philharmonic Concert Hall under construction.
Down by the port and in the old warehouse area.
Another modern building, this one an apartment block.
Is this the third 'London Eye' we have seen on the drive?
More modern architecture.
Then, when we were about two-thirds of the way round the tour, the heavens opened! The guide just managed to close the canvas roof in time. The rain was torrential and as you can see, the people sitting with us on top of the bus didn't have much of a view!
We got back to the hotel with the rain still pouring down, so much so that the downstairs restaurant in the hotel was flooded. We had arranged our 'Farewell Dinner' in the Grill Restaurant for 8pm. As we sat down, we could hear the pumps working away, pumping out the water from the restaurant below us!
I say 'Farewell Dinner' because tomorrow Ahmad and Reza leave us to stay with their relative, Gos, in Eindhoven, before driving back to Brighton. So, here we all are, for our last meal together. A great way to say goodbye, but we were very sad to think our drive around the Baltic is nearly over.
Tomorrow is the last day of driving on the continent. We are meeting in the evening for a meal in Delft, which is just a few kilometres from the Hook of Holland, where our ferry departs for Harwich at 10.15pm.
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Finally, we will see everyone again at DeeAnne's birthday party, next Friday evening in London. So, we will have a chance then to say our final farewells to all our wonderful friends. How lucky Wendy and I are!
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