Driving To The Fjords of Denmark

We all had a few days off this last week, so we decided to go explore! This adventure took us to Denmark and Sweden. It is somewhere that we wanted to go for many years to see the country, but also see Lego House. I did a lot of searching and found a hotel on a fjord. We found ourselves in Vejle, Denmark. It was PERFECT. It was on the water, surrounded by a small community with history, plenty of trees and good food. 

We were so surprised that from our hotel room we could see some of the iconic Danish architecture right outside our window. Both The Fjord House and The Wave were there. 

The drive along Germany and Denmark was full of flowers and patchwork fields. We took an exit and got some petrol and then just continued on the back roads back up to the freeway. Halfway through I realized, "Hey, I know these names." We were driving through Bergen and Belsen. I realized that it was the place were one of the large concentration camps were located during the Nazi era. This one was even more well known as it is where Ann Frank and her sister Margot were sent after their deportation from Amsterdam. They both died there. We have now been to where these two were born, here in Frankfurt. We have been to where they lived and hid in Amsterdam. And now we have been to where they died. 

We could not be in Denmark and NOT eat plenty of Danish pastries. We went to at least three bakeries every day we were in the country. All were good, but some were spectacular! 

 

Every night these two would sit and watch Korean Dramas together. I snapped a photo when they did not know I was watching them. 

We looked at the Fjord House every time we looked out the window. it was such a cool piece of architecture. Lady Hiva and I went over to see the art that was there too. When we walked in, there was a guy proposing to his girlfriend. SO cute. We tried to skirt off to the edge of the building and not interrupt them. 

We were all so interested in seeing the port function. So many big shipping vessels that would come in and turn around right next to our hotel. We would stand and watch as they loaded and unloaded for hours. 

Another happy accident was being near Jelling. Jelling is known as the "birth certificate" of Denmark. Prior to the formation of the country under one leader, it was several Viking tribal communities. Then Harold Bluetooth united the tribes and declared himself leader. (He is also the man Bluetooth is named after for united machines). We went to see the Jelling rocks that declared he and his father as royalty. He then built a chapel and declared the nation as Christian. 

So much history--Viking and Christian alike. We climbed the Viking mounds and walked through the cemetery. It was beautiful. 

Koala Bear and I went into the old chapel. It was so simple but gorgeous. The boat hanging from the roof is symbolic that the church can take you safely to harbor in heaven. I thought that was kind of cool symbolism. Especially since we have two carved boats in our living room. Maybe our home can be the vessel that is taking us all home. 

The water and air art was also really impressive. 

The royal staircase that only royalty can climb. The normal people stairs are on the other side of the mound. 

Art on one side of a building dipicting the complexity of Paganism and Christianity of the region. 

The Jelling rocks, giving honor the Harold Bluetooth and his parents. 

We spent as much time as we could on the Fjord. We walked the path along the shore. We also went to several beaches. It was cold and windy, but that did not stop us from being out and enjoying nature. 

These two can make fun in even the oddest areas. All they need is rocks and some wood. They played for hours.