Here’s something written in the heart of Denmark. Who’s to say if he once was an ugly duckling but the world flock to Copenhagen now because of Hans Christian Andersen?
I meet an old university pal Tom off my cruise ship.
No, not by The Little Mermaid which is some way out from Copenhagen’s main square, but by Andersen’s statue.

Once upon a time we…
No, you don’t want to read our story but Andersen’s and Copenhagen’s which are, of course, so richly entwined.
Hans was an only child, schooled in Elsinore, yes that Elsinore made famous by a certain prince.
Hans across the water
But it was to the sophisticated capital of Denmark that he made his life.
As first an actor and then a prolific writer of salutary children’s and adult books.
He took up residence in Nyhavn which is the big hub of Copenhagen today and a magnet for tourists.
You can’t help feeling his fairytale world all around you in Copenhagen’s chocolate box buildings.
Fancy a twirl?



Probably because you’re in the Tivoli Gardens.
It was opened in 1843 and is the world’s second oldest operating amusement park.
And was the inspiration for Disneyland.



The best view that you can get of Copenhagen is from the 80m swing-carousel Star Flyer, one of an abundance of thrill rides in the park.
Twirling around with only air, the park and Tom and Sarah below I feel like one of Hans’s characters.
And there in the distance is my ship to whisk me off to a far-away land.



And my little mermaid wants a swim.
Yes, just something written in the heart of Denmark.
And for more scribbled on a ship on the way to the fjords with MSC…