Travel blog
Denmark has a lot to offer. What I will remember the most is the Danes’ casual friendliness, their selection of hot dogs, and the many beautiful meadows.
Another stunning door on some small town main street.
This was our vacation rental, a renovated farm house run by Sabine and Matthias, a lovely couple.
The best place for me, while the sun was rising and setting, was this outdoor setting.
I spent most of my time outdoors. Yes, I am weatherproof. 🙂
The view onto the wide open seas of the Baltic is just splendid. We spent a week here on the Danish Baltic Coast, and need to return once more. For once, we did not even get to try a smorgasbord! And there are many more reasons to go back…
There is much agriculture near the coast line.
We were encouraged by our hosts to pick some raspberries. Yes, that’s me right there.
Many times, we stopped at Migges Café on main street in Sydals. They have wonderful pastries and bread rolls. We often had coffee sitting outside, and just watched life go by. This bakery and Café alone would be another reason to go back there.
More about our holidays in my next post.
Picking the Baltic Sea in Denmark for our holiday destination this summer came about in an interesting way. In my many years of downsizing our home, I had to revert to certain tricks to let things go. This actually applies more to my better half.
I told him to imagine we would move to a House in the Danish Dunes. If that were the case, would he take this item with him..? If the answer is no, then it is time to say good bye.
I spend my free time sorting and de-cluttering, and so the liberating expression, “Would you take this to Denmark?” popped up on a regular basis. Then, we could not help but actually book a holiday there this summer.
We spent a wonderful week in Sydals, near Sønderborg in southern Denmark, which was the first part of our leg (first week in July).
Driving around the countryside, we had never seen so many poppies before. If you thought bright sunshine would make a dashing contrast to the red color, try dark skies. This is much better.
This is the view from where I sat every morning. Our hostess explained that the sea lies hidden behind the tall canola field. I didn’t mind. Looking at the skies, feeling the morning breeze, and listening to the birds was all I needed. Well, add coffee to that.
Lucky for me, we had a Strandimbiss (beach snack bar) in walking distance. We came here almost every day – if not for a light lunch, then it could be for a small bottle of wine to go, or just to do laundry. The Danes are so relaxed and kind. No wonder Denmark rates as the country with the second highest happiness index (behind Finland).
Here we stopped in Mommark for lunch, and enjoyed another great view of the open skies. You might have noticed by now that the skies are usually dark. We had daily average temps of 17°-20°, which is perfect for me. Without the constant wind, it felt much warmer though.
If we are on the seaside, then it had better be seafood for lunch. For my husband, not me.
More to follow in my next post.
The US has 3900 % more solar radiation than Germany, and yet Germany produces 6000 % more solar energy than the US.
German solar power plants produce a world record 22 gigawatts of electricity per hour, equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity.
European countries, such as Germany, Sweden and Denmark have met their Kyoto Protocol commitments and have been hit the least by the economic crisis.
Solar power in the United States has been demonized by some as a Left Wing Conspiracy.
Solar Energy in Germany
Even older homes on Main Street in any given German village employ solar energy.
The obstinance of other global residents reminds me of the following quote by Mark Twain:
The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out, the conservative adopts them. – Notebook, 1898
In late May I will travel to the Faroe Islands and since I have never been there before, I decided to ask my Faroese host and friend, Mariann, a few questions about life on the islands.
I had met Mariann in 1991 when we both lived in the United States of America. After that our ways separated as she moved back to the Faroes and I moved to Japan. We shared some good times together – mainly Happy Hour at the Westminster Inn – and developed a long-lasting friendship.
– So Mariann, after having been an Au pair in the U.SA., what made you decide to move to Denmark after another year on the Faroes?
I moved to Denmark to take part in a six-month travel agent course, which was not available on the islands.
– Do a lot of young Faroese do the same in regards to leaving the islands?
No, not a lot. Some go to Denmark for schooling and other forms of education. Some do come back, while others stay in Denmark.
– How long did you stay in Denmark before you decided to move back to the islands? What prompted you?
Like I had mentioned earlier, I moved back when my vocational training was done in Denmark.
– What kind of jobs do young people do on the islands?
Young people mostly work in retail and fish factories.
– Do you get many foreign tourists? Where do they come from?
We get more and more tourists, mainly from Germany. There are also others from Denmark, of course, and Norway. But mostly Germans, I think.
– What one piece of advice would you give the young ones fleeing the islands?
I would advise the young Faroese to get more education by going to Denmark, which will provide them with much better opportunities when they return.
– If you could change one thing about your working life…
Like most people, I would like to work fewer hours for more money!
– The thing you like most about life on the Faroes is…
There is more freedom for children and hardly any crime.
–When Faroese dream of moving away, what are popular destinations?
A very popular destination is, of course, Denmark, because we belong to it (autonomous province of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1948).
–Would you like to move to another country/island? If yes, where?
I guess I would move to Denmark or Sweden.
Thanks for your time, Mariann!
To all the readers: feel free to comment!
My name is Maria Shipley. I live in Oberursel, Germany with my husband, son and daughter. I … Read more
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