Denmark 2018 - Danish glass artist

We were delighted to stumble upon the art studio of Erna Moller. She an amazing artist who currently does pottery, but mostly glass. She is producing things, using techniques, we've never seen anywhere. Very unique, very exciting work! There were several pieces I would love to own; they won't work in our RV, and getting them back to the US would be challenging. And what a charming woman . . . she visited with us for quite some time.

Denmark 2018 - Ribe

Ribe is the oldest town of Denmark, established in the early 8th century. It was a critical Viking port on an inland waterway. It is amazing to see homes built in the 1100s still occupied today. We did a walkabout this morning before the streets got crowded- there is a music festival and a wine festival this weekend, bringing lots of visitors.

Denmark 2018 - riding the rails

Danish trains are quite nice & high-speed, even this regional train which has many stops. (but the schedules & information are challenging, especially if you don't speak Danish). My hubby loves that this whole trip is via public transportation and he doesn't have to drive 😉.

It's a rainy day - we were so lucky to have clear warm days in Aarhus - and the agricultural landscape is moody.

Denmark 2018 - farewell Aarhus

Time to hop on a train to Ribe, the oldest village in Denmark and an important Viking Port. This is the courtyard view from our room at the pretty much perfect Villa Provence.

Denmark 2018 - ancient civilizations in Denmark

The Moesgaard Museum is the most amazing museum we've ever visited; a wedding of archaeology, anthropology, architecture, and art! We could have spent days, not hours, there. If you go to Denmark, it should be on your don't- miss list.

There's a special installation of the nomads of Mongolia, starting with Genghis Khan. That exhibit deserves several hours. It's up through April 2019.

The permanent exhibit is the history of people in Denmark, dating back several centuries B.C., up through the Vikings until present day.

Denmark 2018 - busy morning in Aarhus

We spent the morning at Aros, the art museum. Saw some amazing work, especially the Danish masters. The 360° views from atop the building are breathtaking.

This piece of a woman perched on a fire hydrant is mosaic!
The puppets are blown glass.
Huge word carved assemblages.

Denmark 2018 - beauty everywhere

Even the manhole covers are pieces of art in Aarhus.

Denmark 2018 - harbor life

What can I say? Sea life like the large jellyfish always fascinate me.

Denmark 2018 - around Aarhus

We walked, and walked, and walked today. Aarhus is a fascinating little city, dating back to early Vikings. We visited a Viking museum that is underground, an archaeological dig! That was pretty cool.

We always gravitate to the water, away from the crowds and a good place to relax. The harbor here was originally back farther with fortified ramparts. A wave of construction in the 1800s resulted in beautiful new buildings along the newly designated harbor. More recently, modernistic buildings were constructed over the water to create a whole new vitality.

Denmark 2018 - the beginning

Denmark is a stark contrast to Norway, flatter & agricultural as opposed to mountains & fjords. Lots of smaller wind farms. The trains we took south from the north coast were hi-speed, quite luxurious, and schedules & information are confusing.

We definitely are experiencing a language barrier; very little printed in English. At the Hirtshals train station we were luckily 'adopted' by a woman from Copenhagen who got us where we needed to be, when we needed to be there. Everyone is cordial and helpful.

We are now at our boutique hotel in Aarhus, Villa Provence. We walked around the area this afternoon & grabbed a bite. If we were into shopping, we'd be in heaven - all the best shops we know from the US. Tomorrow we have some museums to visit, maybe a harbor cruise to do.

Norway to Denmark 2018

We had an overnight ferry ride from Stavanger Norway to Hirtshals Denmark. The North Sea was calm and our cabin was large & quite comfortable, with a big window.

Denmark 2018 - travel light

We often get asked "Where are your bags?".  I also had a couple Facebook comments about how much we must need to pack for such a long trip. (actually, this is an average-length vacation - sometimes they are 6+ weeks)

We learned a long time ago that trips are easier when we travel light. Our Norway & Denmark trip is all public transportation, boats & trains & buses + walking. Streets are mostly rough cobblestone so roller bags are not practical. Our small backpacks fit the bill.

My hubby sneaked this shot of me at the Hirtshals train station as I was trying to make sense of routes & schedules.

Norway 2018 - farewell

We take an overnight ferry ship to Denmark this evening. Bidding a fond farewell to one of the countries of my ancestors and heading to another. I'm looking forward to seeing where my Grandpa Rask grew up.

Norway 2018 - H. U. G. E.

This shows the disproportionate [smaller] HUGE cruise ship with the town's buildings in the foreground. Pretty humbling to walk alongside these in the tiny harbor

Norway 2018 - today's room with a view

This cruise ship just pulled into the tiny harbor. Nice view?

Norway 2018 - room with a view

One night stand in Stavanger at the historic Hotel Victoria. They promised a room with harbor view, and they delivered! Tomorrow we explore this major petroleum industry town - pretty active scene tonight but Sunday will probably be quiet.

Norway 2018 - fjord cruise to Stavanger

Interesting 6 hours doing Norway's 'inside passage'. Lots of little settlements on islands - everyone has boats, salmon farming, wind farms (these powered an oil refinery!), offshore drilling rigs, and just stunning scenery.