Denmark - 8 to 12 June 2008

Hej – to our 8th country on this 2nd leg of our journey. Over the next month we'll be exploring Scandinavia 's mighty Viking lands. Kicking off with the happiest nation on earth according to a world database survey, the Danes appeared rather outwardly sensible and organised and the high prices took the edge off things.

The Danes, a tribe from Sweden arrived here around 500AD and the Danish monarchy is Europe 's oldest dating back to the 10 th century. We arrived in the Jutland peninsular and headed straight for Ribe, which is one of Scandinavia 's oldest towns. Traced back to the 8 th century, it's a quiet charming confection of half timbered houses and water meadows. Dane was happy to finally be in '‘his' land (for his namesake) and very excited to start his money collection!

Vanita was on a mission to clean ‘My van' and jumped into this as soon as we arrived at our campsite while the rest of us spent our time in the swimming pool, until the caretaker 'politely' sent us on our way back to the vehicles. That evening we all enjoyed a fantastic feast with fish bought in Hamburg. The sun seemed to set a lot later and finally at 23h30, with the sky still bluish, we settled into bed.

Our main interest the next day was the Viking centre, a reconstruction of the Viking era over 1000 years ago. Here we could meet farmers and different craftsmen, see how they lived and observed a falconer flying birds of prey. The kids enjoyed the games, woodwork, the market and of course the play area.

Later, we drove east to the island of Funen , touching the waters of the North Sea and via Odense ( birth place of Hans Christian Andersen) to Nyborg, our bush camp at the waters edge. The 10th of June, we crossed the exorbitant toll bridge (R500) to the island of Zealand . After getting the football signed by the Danish Football association, we descended on the cutting-edge capital, a 1000 year old city of cobbled squares and copper spires. Naerum Camping was our home for the next 2 days as we used local trains to experience the sights.

Our first evening at the campsite ended with Troy sustaining a large laceration over his right eyebrow on running into the boom gate, one that required sutures, but steri-strips worked just as well - a good thing we have two doctors around! Troy was once again our resident ‘Pirate' for the next week, sporting a patch over his right eye which didn't seem to bother him at all!

GR1 arose early the next morning, heading for the SA Embassy. Dean was initially met by Mr John Hansen (Translator), Kirsten Nicolaisen (Tourism and Wine) and Mr. Vukile Mdlalo (First Secretary: Political). Surprisingly, Vanita was taken a cup of coffee, in the vehicle, as the kids were still asleep and thereafter the ‘entire' Embassy and Consulate gathered around ‘My Van' for photos. Dean also spent some time with The Ambassador of South Africa, Mrs. Dolana Msimang. He was asked to give Mr Mdlalo a call the following day to arrange a TV interview with Canal Afrika. GR1 was thrilled to have received such a warm reception with the possibility to be able to get our story told on television! This was truly the best SA Embassy visit so far, even to the point of being invited to one of the employees, Nuria's home !

In Copenhagen GR3 started their tour at the statue of the famed Little Mermaid. They passed the spectacular Gefion Fountain, the Frihedsmuseet and Kastellet, walking south to the splendid Frederickskirken (known as the Marble Church for its magnificent marble dome) and into the great cobbled square of Amalienborg and the Amalienborg Palace . Next, the picturesque Nyhavn canal, dug 300 years ago to allow traders to bring their wares into the heart of the city. The plan was to have lunch in Christianshaven, before heading back onto Stroget to complete the tour. Christianshaven is an alternative city community of about 1000 residents that has its own commercial life, political structure, education system, radio station and weekly news paper. GR1, however, found the place to be filled with 'drug-users' and it seemed rather derelict, for a lack of another word. As the kids were with and feeling a tad unsafe - lunch was not an option and after ten minutes they left. GR3 enjoyed their staple food - schwarmas and sausage rolls, just outside Christianshaven and then restarted their tour down Stroget. The sights included the Gammel Torv (the 'Old Square '), Nytorv (the ‘ New Square ') and the lively square of Amagertorv , with the famous Stork Fountain, a popular venue for street entertainers. GR3's time in Copenhagen ended with a visit to the Radhus and the Radhuspladsen, and finally, a walk past Tivoli ( Copenhagen 's century old amusement park) - just too expensive to enter!!

GR1 kicked off their visit with the changing of the guard at the 1794 Amalienborg Royal Palace , they then took a canal boat tour from the bustling quayside of Nyhavn to the little Mermaid – sculptured 95 years ago and based on Hans Christiaan Anderson fairytale. Definately Jade's favourite stop! Then through the canals in Christianshaven to Slotsholmen with Christiansborg Palace , home to the Danish Parliament and Bishop Absalon's statue, who founded the city. Later they returned to the historic canal quarter and Christiania, to visit the alternative ‘hippie' commune with its own political and commercial life. Rather graffiti covered and derelict with a photo ban, but with interesting cafes where they enjoyed a great vegetarian meal after meeting one of the locals and hearing interesting stories. From Kongens Nytorv square they walked down the main pedestrian street, Stroget to the town hall square and the 160 year old Tivoli Gardens – but the amusement park was a bit too pricey!

Mr. Vukile Mdlalo was contacted the next morning and arrangements were made to meet with Mr. A. R. Msimbazy (Producer), from Canal Afrika, at four that afternoon. This gave us enough time for some grocery shopping and at 15h45, we were at the TV station - all very excited, thrilled and a bit nervous!!! We were met by Mr. Msimbazy, who introduced us to the rest of his crew. Our two hours there seemed to fly by, all of us handling ourselves rather well, we thought. This was our first ‘Real' interview as a group and we regarded it as part of our learning curve. We were told that it would be aired on Saturday and that we could have a look at it on ‘You Tube' in one week's time. A big ‘thank you' to Canal Afrika for providing us with the opportunity to speak about ‘Our Journey of a Lifetime', the DICAG Centre, the NMB and South Africa.

Our next stop and overnight stay was at the home of Nuria Schmidt, an ex-Zimbabwean, married to a Dane and working at the SA Embassy. The entertaining evening with her in the rural north near Skaevinge was a culinary delight. Her Indian, Zimbabwean and South African roots along with her kind hospitality moulded our stay into a memorable one. We also used this opportunity to catch up on communication back home using her internet facilities. T hanks Nuria, your hospitality seemed to have no boundaries and for this we are grateful. The kids were also pleased to have Aiden, Luka and Shani to play with, finally going to bed well after midnight. That evening we spent the night in our vans parked on her lawn.

Friday the 13th excitement soared as we headed east to Helsingor and a 20minute ferry to Helsingborg , Sweden. We would soon be seeing some family again! Domonic and Eleanor were to arrive the following day from South Africa, but until then, we were excited to meet up with Jody and Terese who had been contacted only the night before that we were on our way to them!

Tak and farvel from Denmark .