Copenhagen Thursday, September 27, 2018, 10:20 p.m.

This was Day 2 of our Viking Cruiseline’s Scandinavia and the Kiel Canal cruise, but it’s Day 4 for us because we added the two-day Copenhagen extension. It was a good choice for us, especially with my travel anxiety. We arrived on Monday, then had two days to get settled and alleviate some of the jet lag symptoms, with plenty of time to make sure our luggage arrived when we did and explore art museums on our own. Yesterday we boarded the ship  and today we spent much of the day seeing just a bit more of Copenhagen. Then we set sail at 6 p.m. with cheers and champagne.

But first we explored more of Copenhagen with a Viking Walking Tour, then we went off on our own and did our own thing.

From the Viking Ocean Cruise website, this is their information about the included shore tour. (Every port has an included shore excursion at no extra cost, usually an introductory bus and/or walking tour. Optional, more in-depth and special interest tours are always available for a fee.) We’ve choesn to do a mix of both — the included tours plus a few special interest tours, especially when the special interest is related to an art museum or gallery tour.

We were a group of about thirty with one guide. We were unable to see the Mermaid State as originally planned because the ship had been unable to dock near the city center at Langeline due to strong winds. Instead, we took a bus into the center of the city and began at the site of the Kastellet, or the Citadel.

“Pass Frederiks Hospital—the country’s first hospital and now home to the Danish Museum of Art & Design” means walk past. We paused for a few minutes to allow time for photos of the front of the Marble Church. But we had more than adequate time to spend in the courtyard at Amalienborg Palace, and our guide timed it perfectly so we had front-row-standing to see the post replacement at the Prince’s Palace.

Though the tour guide was informative, we chose to leave the tour at this point. The tour was continuing on to see the Mermaid and the Gefion Fountain before returning to the ship, so we took this opportunity to return to the Marble Church.

The Marble Church with its copper green dome is quite impressive. Its t official name is Frederik’s Church, and King Frederik V laid the foundation stone in 1749, but it was not completed until 1894.

Then we walked towards the City Center, but had to stop and admire some special chocolates! LEGOs!

Finally, last stop, we walked the canal of Nyhavn — there was only a peek of sunshine, but it was still worth seeing such an iconic sight.

Nyhavn (which means New Harbor in Danish) is a waterfront and canal dating from the 17th century. It is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Historical wooden ships line the sides of the canal.

The northern side of Nyhavn is lined by brightly colored buildings built of wood, bricks, and plaster. The oldest house, at No. 9, dates from 1681.

We returned to the ship and readied to set sail on the first water leg of our journey–Gothenburg Sweden.

The weather changes fast — we had blue skies for awile which gave way to clouds and a brisk wind.

We had reservations in one of the specialty restaurants tonight. It’s called the Chef’s Table and offered a five-course menu with an Asian theme. Bob had the wine pairings, one of the few occasions when an extra charge is added. ($25) He enjoyed the pairings.

The menu sounded a bit intimidating, with a few items I was unfamiliar with, but everything though often unusual was exceptional in taste.