Day trip to Bremen!

Hey hey hey. 

So, over the Christmas season (2014), we made a little trip to Bremen.  Somehow, we chose the absolute WORST weather for this trip. It had been a pretty mild winter so far, not a lot of rain, not terribly cold... except that day. Rain. All day. Nevertheless, it was super beautiful and we were able to see one of the coolest towns with some of the best Christmas markets in northern Germany.  Definitely worth it.  

Coming across the bridge from Hauptbahnhoff into town, there's a nice little windmill. 

This is a very interesting set of statues. Apparently in the "old days" of Bremen, this was were the pig farmers would walk the pigs and people would bring out scraps and throw them for the pigs. Fun.

This is town square with the cathedral in the background. We even had a few moments of sun!!!

This is a picture of "Roland" - a town hero from days of yore. My favorite thing about this photo is the giant spikes on his knees, which I can only assume were used to impale sinners and nay-do-wells.

My theory is that this is where the phrase "holy cow" comes from.  Cool statue on the side of the cathedral.

This guy is super sad about the snake biting his hand.

Inside the cathedral. Sorry it's so crooked. :(  Learn to use your camera guys!

Very pretty place to have a Christmas market.

 This is the famous Town Musicians statue. Apparently they are from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. You're supposed to hold onto the donkey's front legs and make a wish... who knew donkeys and genies had so much in common?

This is the entrance to Böttcherstraße - famous for it's crazy architechture.

I love the narrow street - it's like being in a slot canyon.

This is another famous statue that was made in Botcherstrasse. It also features the town musicians on the railing.

Ha ha. Somebody is awesome.

In Bremen they also have a "pirate" themed Christmas market down on the river front. It was totally awesome! Everyone at the booths was dressed up in pirate gear!

Nothing soothes the soul like an Elk brat.

Anyway - it was a very nice day trip. I'm happy that we went. I highly recommend it.

Copenhagen Part 2

So - this is just a follow-up post to Copenhagen Part 1.  More pictures of our trip with my parents to Denmark / Lubeck / Hamburg. Feast your eyes!

The beach where we stayed near Arhus - we rented a little "beach cabin" - it was awesome. 

Church in Arhus - cool city.

Different church in Arhus.

Town Hall square at Copenhagen. 

Statue of Hans Christian Anderson - one of Denmark's most famous historical peeps. :)

Evening at Tivoli. It's a magical place.

This is the horse stables that now stands where Bent Nielsen's farm once was. You could feel the family history bubbling up through the ground. 

Yup. Bubbling. 

Two generations of Nielsens - basking in the ancestral vibes.

The gate from the mote to the grounds at Kronborg Castle. 

Kronborg Castle - glorious to behold.  Shakespeare based the castle in Hamlet on this place.

In the courtyard of Kronborg Castle - that's the castle church behind us.

The inside of the castle is pretty boring - was looted by the Swedes too many times.

Holger the Viking - underneath Kronborg Castle - super famous viking hero. 

The Castle church - very pretty inside.

Kronborg Castle 

The famous little mermaid statue. Not sure why it's so famous, but... whatever!

La Glace pastry wonderland. Soooooooo amazing. 

Can you see my eye in the mirror? This proves it. I'm awesome - just as I always suspected.

Mom and dad at Nyhavn. Classic.

Pastel houses at Nyhavn.

The old Stock Exchange building with Christianborg Palace.

The old stock exchange.

From the top of Christiansborg Palace at sunset.

Everyone who's been to Denmark knows what this is! Hotdogs everywhere!

Cool beach trees at Mons Klint.

The chalk cliffs at Mons Klint with my folks.

Back in Hamburg - church near the Speicherstadt.

Good ol' Speicherstadt. 

Eating a herring sandwich with dad. Classic Northern German snack.

Lubeck gatehouse. 

Old buildings in Lubeck. 

Lubeck's main town square

It may look like fruit, but it's actually delectable Lubecker marzipan!  

The creepy church in Lubeck that is obsessed with death and skeletons. It was kind of awesome.

Lubeck across the river. Awwww. so nice.