Our arrival in Copenhagen was delayed by an hour due to a train fault with a bonus time in Malmo train station. Sadly as it was pouring we couldn't do any exploring.

The rain kept coming as we arrived in Copenhagen but by the time we arrived at our apartment and went back out we were treated to a sunset, one we could see, even if it was 3:30pm…. We spent the afternoon walking around and getting our bearings and finding a supermarket for supplies for dinner and the next few days. Now we are in Denmark a bottle of wine is now (marginally less) than a Sydney mortgage), so we bought one.

The initial impression of Copenhagen - Amsterdam. Sam architecture, canals/lakes and more bikes than people, feels like Amsterdam with a bit more land. Could be Denmarks next tourism campaign right there

Like most Scandinavian cities, Copenhagen has a Copenhagen card….OK, they change the city name which charges you an exorbitant amount of money at the start of your trip for a pass that lets you get in everywhere and ride the transport without feeling the financial pain constantly for 24/48/72 hours. More like a quick financial death compared to financial death by a thousand cuts…..same end result basically!

Our original plan was to hit the Christianborg palace early but there was a formal event that seemed to require men to wear uniforms with ceremonial swords. As my ceremonial sword had been confiscated at Sydney airport we had to decline until later. Turns out the Queen was hosting Plan B was a canal cruise on a canal boat. Sadly as the tides were too high, the cruise could not get into the canals so it became a harbour cruise. Strike two for the morning but it got better.

Wandering back into town we hit the Round tower, where in our usual meerkat approach, we climbed to the highest point for a lookout. OK so maybe the highest point hundreds of years ago but still decent today. The hollow core of the tower was the point from where all geographic measuring in Denmark was completed, so the 'centre of Denmark'. Now you can stand on a glass platform 25m above the ground……a little disconcerting. Dropped in to see the crown jewels, not Freds, at one of the 15 castles that seem to be dotted around.

Any thoughts of theft would be immediately put off by the single security guard. This guy was a sumo wrestler cross Viking warrior. 'Man mountain' was on his nametag, or I'm sure that's what the Danish - English translation was.

Day 2 we explored further afield, up to Helsingor, an hour by train north.. Helsingor, which sounds even cooler in Danish, had two purposes. The first being it is the home of several tourist attractions, namely the Kronborg Castle which is the origin pf the story behind Shakespears Hamlet as well as the Danish technology and maritime museums. We spent our time in the castle and the technology museum as well as a 'smoresbord' lunch at a local cafe

The second purpose for Helsingor seems to be derived due to it being geographically the closet point to Sweden. The town in Sweden being Helsingborg. It looks like the car ferries run every 15-30 minutes between Helsingor (DK) and Helsingborg (SE) on what you could describe as a 'booze run' Regular readers will remember Sweden's alcohol restrictions and prices. Turns out its easier and cheaper for Swedes to get the ferry to Denmark to buy alcohol. In the first couple of blocks from the ferry about a quarter of the shops are bottles hops.

Last day in Copenhagen we went walking again, unfortunately in the rain. Around the star-shaped Kastellet, the old fortress and onto the eternal disappointment of the Little mermaid. Emphasis on 'little'. For tourists it's the Danish equivalent of our dog on the tucker box. 2-3 photos and we were gone.

We then 'went royal' for the rest of the day. Down to Mary's house, Ameliorborg, where she didn't invite us in, but she did arrange for the rain to become snow which was more pleasant. Gotta love you can basically walk up to the front door. I'm sure the security is there, apart from the obvious ceremonial guards, bit it seems very relaxed. Then onto Christianborg where they still do all the official ceremonies. You can tour the reception rooms (if you wear the protective blue booties - I have photos), the stables, kitchens etc.

Some souvenir shopping on the way home and then rather than cook we went around the corner to the local Thai place. Yeah, I know, not traditional but we needed some spice and it was close. Here is the good news, I think this was only the second most expensive Thai meal I have ever paid for. Switzerland was more expensive…..just. There you have Denmarks next advertising campaign…..

"Denmark, we're cheaper than…..Switzerland!!!"