Copenhagen

The Copenhagen metro

Once again at the Kuramae station on the Asakusa line, to buy a one-way metro ticket to the airport; a carriage packed with smartly dressed people going to work empties out as we approach Haneda's terminus, where only a few passengers remain with their luggage. From here onwards is the usual cliché for returning. It should be noted that the Arctic route was necessary to avoid Russian airspace. completing thus a real trip around the world after crossing over to Central Asia on the way. Crossing the Bering Strait and descending through Greenland from northern Europe will take a total of 13 hours and 10 minutes of flight time; we arrive in Copenhagen shortly after 6 pm the following day under a clear and mild sun: we certainly can't go straight to bed. We had carefully analyzed the means of transport and were immediately ready to board the metro, heading for the guesthouse where we would leave our luggage. Thanks to booking, we received precise instructions on how to enter, and we will do everything ourselves using a code. We take the metro again and head towards the city center. The evening is simply wonderful, as only the northern skies can offer, with the setting sun illuminating monuments and buildings with warm colors. The Nyhavn – already normally vibrant in its chromatic appearance – it shines under the last rays of light, while the blue hour begins to dominate the background. There are many people here at the beginning of this peaceful weekend in every sense; we don't have much time, so we exit the metro near the Nytorv garden with a view of Royal Theatre (Royal Theatre), after Nyhavn we continue towards the Amalienborg Palace – official residence of the Danish royals – where the changing of the guard ceremony is taking place; we continue along the pedestrian walkway with view of the Opera House overlooking the other side of the canal, extending all the way to La Sirenetta, a bit further from the central area, but easily accessible via Langelinie Park. We return, crossing through The Kastellet, where there were fortified military batteries at the time when the shadows become very long, but then disappeared almost instantly, leaving behind a pale blue sky. Continuing on, the Fredriks Kirke opened onto a side street, and we concluded our intense tour at... Christiansborg Palace, the Danish Parliament.

Morning in Copenhagen

Upon returning to the guesthouse, the owners living upstairs apparently hadn't yet returned home; when we wake up the following morning at 4:30, they are still asleep. In the end, we won’t even see them. The automation systems allow both parties to manage the overnight stay in a somewhat sterile but effective way, without needing a reception desk.

Day 18 – Saturday, May 17, 2025

Yesterday evening at 10 PM it was still clear, this morning when we left it was already starting to dawn: the magic of northern summer! In just a few minutes, in complete silence, we walked to the station, took the metro and were at the airport in a quarter of an hour. This time, we really are returning; the initial summer feeling in Denmark softens the sense of return but will increase that of nostalgia, which will soon emerge after this trip.