Denmark, Day 1

Someone in our family (probably Jeremy) must have been very, very good in a past life.

A few weeks ago, Jeremy noticed that the lab was nearly empty. Almost no one showed up for fika. Many of his Swedish colleagues had taken off to enjoy a summer holiday. He decided we should take a cue from them and do the same.

After looking at a few different options, we settled on Denmark. Jeremy told me his ideal vacation would be to rent a house by the beach for a few days, then explore the country a bit, and end with a few days in Copenhagen.

One day later, a friend from San Diego messaged me out of the blue. She wrote, "Do you plan on doing any travel outside of Sweden? We have a home in Denmark on the beach that you could borrow for a few days." The timing was almost too impossible to be believed.

***

On Sunday, July 16, we took off for Denmark. Drove to Gothenburg, ferried across the Kattegat to Frederikshavn, Denmark, then drove to Løkken, on the opposite coast. On the drive across Denmark, we noticed the similarities to rural Sweden: pastures with grazing cows, horses, and sheep, the endless meadows of green. We also noticed some differences. It's less rocky here (although, I still don't know if Sweden is generally rocky, or just the part that we are in) and it feels flatter. We saw more brick buildings and homes that we're accustomed to in Sweden, too.

Is this what they mean by hygge?

As we drove, we saw almost no one. The little towns we drove through felt eerie in their emptiness. Was it because we arrived on a Sunday? Was it because, like the Swedes, the Danes are all away at their summer cottages?

When we arrived at our friend's home, her parents were there to greet us and show us the house. They were as gracious, generous, and funny as any Danish grandparents you could meet. After this introduction, they left us to settle in.

Home away from home away from home

Our hosts had told us that the beach was just a few minutes walk away. It called out to be our first destination. We walked from the house, past other summer homes, many flying the red and white Danish flag.

Paved roads gave way to a sandy path. The sand was fine and deep, so different from any of the beaches we've been to in Scandinavia so far. We arrived on a blustery day, and the wind whipped at our hair, our jackets. It blew sand into our eyes, and covered all exposed skin in a thin, sandy layer.

To the beach

The beach itself was a beautiful shock. Wider than I can adequately describe. Almost empty because the wind made for poor beach-going conditions. The waves reminded us of home, nothing like the placid waters of our local beaches in Sweden. The horizon looked infinitely far away.

After the beach, we made our way into the town and found a restaurant for dinner. Lovely food, gracious service, very family-friendly. Our final stop of the day was a small grocery store, to pick up provisions for breakfast.

After the long traveling day, we all fell into bed, exhausted. First day in Denmark in the books. Very excited to learn about and explore another Scandinavian country!