Dane-sing in the Street

First off, sorry about the title of this entry. I couldn't help myself. Its in my editorial genes to take the piss out of everything. But not the 'hagen. Now, yesterday, whilst I was trying very hard to concentrate on the incredibly enjoyable task of conjuring up a variety of different slogans for our sister company's new ad campaign (corporate branding is just oh! so much fun - not my job but sometimes you have to take one for the team... specially when you've just been away on two all-expenses paid luxury trips with work) my mind wandered off to the task at hand; clearly I have difficulty with keeping written posts to a certain word count.

 THEREFORE ladies and gentlemen, the genius inside me held up a beautifully lit lightbulb and said, 'Use images instead of words!' Hence, my darlings, here is a variety of shots chosen especially for your greedy little visual loving eyes and minds of the remains of day number on in Wonderful Copenhagen. With captions.

The site of our first Danish luncheon, Orangeriet. The most charming little restaurant in the world, located just next to the beautiful King's Garden

There were numerous potted mandarin trees inside the restaurant - it is called Orangeriet after all. One of the pleb journalists that was with us on the media tour decided to pick a couple off the plants. And ate them. And threw the peel in the pots. Im still wincing.

                   Window sill in the waiting room with views of the King's Garden outside. I loved the lightness and simplicity of Scandinavian design

We feasted on smorrebrod, or open faced Danish sandwiches - simple but delicious. The roast beef *drool* 

Wheat beer! Not my first time tasting it, but this *was* the Danish counterpart

I think I clean up pretty good after a monstrous working day AND flight

Statue of literary genius Hans Christian Andersen in the King's Garden

Walking through town to the canal, I spotted this charming little balcony - should be lined with flowers

Views from the canal tour - Im not sure what the building on the left is, but on the right is the Church of Our Saviour. 400 steps to the steeple.

The spot on the canal where the royal family set sail

Noma - rated as the world's best restaurant and boasting the cream of Nordic cuisine in gorgeous settings

We hid from the sudden rain in this beautiful cafe, nestled in the courtyard of some castle

I love photos of flowers. There were bushes of these everywhere

The view from one of the rooms at Hotel Skt Petri, where we dined on asparagus soup, mouth watering pepper steak and chocolate creme brulee with cherry sorbet

Did I mention I loved Scandinavian design? Clean, bright, innovative. Fantastic. 

Jeg elsker København

Yes, I did what every wanker on the planet does and used Babel translator to transform the dull and overused phrase 'I love *insert person/place/pet/spotty, vampire-playing, teenage celebrity*' into I love Copenhagen in Danish. I do apologise for this behaviour, but in all honesty, I really do think I've fallen in love with that tiny and GORGEOUS city. Anywho, since most of you probably have no idea what Im on about, Im about to relay the events of probably one of the luckiest days of my working life thus far, so hold on to your socks, knickers and fake tache's; this is a riveting one:

Email *ping* on Regional Managing Editor *Jorge's computer. *Samson, *Mona and myself ignore this as we have become accustomed to Jorge's obnoxious mobile and computer ring/ alert tones.

Jorge: Well looky here, who wants to go to Copenhagen?

All three of us: *Insert collection of the 5 W's alongside oh me! No I cant! Dammit, I want to go! Really? Copenhagen? etc*

Jorge: Yup, Qatar Airways has just launched its direct route to Denmark and we've been offered a spot on their first media tour out there.
(Side note: This is purely because the airlines expects some sort of kiss ass in return, and to be completely honest, they deserve it much more than a cheek grazing kiss.)

This map is for the benefit of the embarrassing number of people who don't actually know where Denmark is. Yes, you.

Cue raucous arguments over who last went on what trip and when, discussions over magazine deadlines, who can afford to leave... and then it hits us. When is this mystery luxury, all expenses paid, beautiful thirst-quenching mirage set to take place??

Jorge: The flight leaves tonight. Its for five nights, return Saturday morning.

Samson: Agh, I can't leave the magazine. We're already behind on deadline.

Jorge: Neither can I - I was only in Seville last month the same time as deadline, and as much as Id love to scarper off to Scandinavia, I think that's pushing it a little *hearty, slightly bitter Welsh guffaw*

Mona: Dammit!! I want to go to Denmark! I can't go though, Im leaving to London on Thursday!

Me: Umm.... I'll go?

What? He can't go? Im not going either! (errm.. you know that's just for him, yea? Cool)

What ensued was an afternoon of restless 'work', a tiny evening run (I was afraid I wouldn't get the chance to keep up my tri training while I was abroad so the 20 minute run was a bit of a guilt compressor) and hectic packing for weather the organisers called 'chilly', my boss labeled as 'freezing' and the internet said ranged between 'below zero and 14 degrees'. Right.

And so began the best five days I have had in a long, long time. Possibly the best five days of my life if I was to be completely honest. However, I do have a habit of romanticising everything and developing irrational emotional attachments to places I visit, therefore this normal.

Stay tuned for the flight and day number one in Wonderful Copenhagen. There will be pictures.

*names have been changed for privacy issues and even though I know noone actually reads this blog, I dont want to get bitten in the ass by angry people who would have appreciated it had I NOT directly quoted them, thanks.