Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

DENMARK PAGE 2 OCTOBER 2007

(Updated 16/10/07) The worlds 7th richest Nation (per capita). Out of the ten Richest Countries (based on 2006 GNP per capita in US$)

(NOTE: ***Luxembourg's high GNP per capita is due in part to a significant number of its workforce living in neighbouring countries. Non-residents are not counted in Luxembourg's population which in turn raises the country's GNP per capita score. This effectively places Norway in first spot. (REF: Here)

We are once again with the “Mega Rich”. However, they have slipped from 5^th place to 7^th in the last few years. It is also home to the young “Sheila” from Tassie that married a Prince

We're here to learn once again, knowing little about the country or its people. One of my good friends “Gunnar Colin” is Danish and we cannot forget those lovely “Danish Pastries” that he brought into our shop, for us all to feast on. Who (in my era) as a child, has not heard Danny Kaye's 1952 song “Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen” Or Hans Christian Andersen and (for me) the most famous fairy tail “The Ugly Duckling”. As usual I will report as I see things, “warts 'n all”

Tuesday October 23rd 2007 Søren's house near Aalborg to bush camp.
Approx. 41.88k's Average Speed 9.10kph Cycling time 4Hr(s) 36Min. Max speed. 48kph Max temp we recorded 10°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
Early start (for us) on the road about 8am from Søren's house

-3C start and reached 0C at 11am a slow climb to 10C about 3PM. Cold was the order of the day.

We cycled until 6pm stopping for lunch, food shopping and a hunt for “gloves”.. We have been to seven or so shops and none sell gloves? Hats, socks, scarf's, etc.. yes - but not gloves?? Attempted to find the secret free campsites today but could not.. Ended up sleeping in the bush. The Danes have produced a book in Danish telling where they are... I guess they are not intended for other “tribes”? For the “brain dead” looking on the net, there ARE maps in English telling the VERY approx. location of the campsites... Read the small print dumbo!
Wanted to go further, as there were two more secret campsites to try and find, but my knee said no!
Wednesday October 24th 2007 Bush camp to Thai home near Hødup
Approx. 17.47k's Average Speed 9.93kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 45Min. Max speed. 39kph Max temp we recorded 9°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
An 0730 wake up and another bellow freezing morning... Warm and snug in our tent, you cannot believe how hard it is - until you do it, getting out of bed into a bellow freezing environment. Frozen hands dismantle and pack gear, shivering bodies stumble around as though dazed from cold. We emerged from the relative warmth (0°C) of the pine forest to a frozen landscape.

Because our “timing” was thrown out, for reasons previously stated, we have a cold migration south. If we had chosen the easy option and ferried our bikes to Spain we would not have seen Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium or France. This was unthinkable, given we have only one life.. We will endure the cold.

Cycling along in this VERY cycle friendly country we saw “Bus Stop's” that are designed as “Park n' Ride”.. As crime is very low here, it can be done. Sadly, it cannot possibly be done in Perth, our home. Most of the bikes were not locked in any way.

We stopped for lunch, Lee made cheese/salad sandwiches and we drank water. Lo and behold we met another Thai person, Deng! Lee and Deng were soon chatting away and I knew our cycling was over for today :-)

I am now typing this in Deng's house.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner, “tom yam kung” (Prawn soup) and meat balls Thai style, with some spring rolls, rice and ice cream – delicious.

It is hard to quantify how important this interaction with local people is. The “soul” of a nation is inside it's people; we are humbled by the generosity, in their sharing it with us.
Thursday October 25th 2007 Thai home near Hødup – rest day.
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C

Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

We have been asked to stay an extra day... Despite our increasing need to get “south” we have agreed. Lee so enjoys interacting with ex-patriot Thai people. I doubt we will be cycling today.

My hope, in my discussions with people - who we stay with, is to take something new with me. I have a desire to have my views changed, rather than change those of others. For me this is the “core” essence of my/our interaction(s).
Friday October 26th 2007 Thai home near Hødup to Bush camp in approved camping area.
Approx. 32.75k's Average Speed 10.37kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 9Min. Max speed. 53kph Max temp we recorded 12°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
As expected a late start about midday... Lovely family and a fantastic two nights... We had very light drizzle today but not wetting. Looked for two of the “secret” campsites but could not find them. Rode past one, about 500M from the road – of course they all have no sign's. Asked around in town and got lucky, back-tracked 1K to the site.

A lot more primitive than the other two we found, but quite OK. It is now very dark and 8PM at night. We have just had light meal of tinned fish, bread and baked potatoes (In the camp-fire). The temp is also nosediving so it's an early night under the stars :-) Catchya Later..
Saturday October 27th 2007 Bush camp in approved camping area to Viborg.
Approx. 20.62k's Average Speed 9.53kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 9Min. Max speed. 35kph Max temp we recorded 15°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

Minor Milestone – we passed the 1000 kilometre mark since we re-commenced cycling 8 + weeks ago. NOTE: it is well bellow our “usual” mileage for the period of time.
A good nights sleep in our “hotel” prepared us for a full day ahead..

Today's progress was marred by the best intentions of people trying to be helpful.. It literally took us two + hours to get away from the Campsite. 

A VERY well meaning lady stopped us and insisted we go and see the “Iron Age” ruins of the Viking era. We did this and were happy to have done it.

After a little talk we told her of our inability to find the “Low Cost” – (Free to Min. $3.00 Max. $6.00 Per Night) Govt. Campsites, as all directions were in Danish. She had heard of the problem many times from other travellers and said she will write to the ministry – she suggested we do also. You and I know we will pushing the proverbial uphill trying to get this tribe to see the “other” tribes point of view. But hey, if I get the time I will draft a letter to them :-) She then hunted for maps and tried to point out possible ways to find the “secret” campsites... Even after we left, she drove in her car to find us, with other maps and booklets. Thank you – we never got your name.

We had barely travelled 10k's when we met a couple of Danish “Sheila's”, that were both very intelligent and great to talk with. They had an interest in Aboriginal Culture and Australia in general... Would love to have spent more time chatting but, sadly, it was not to be.

We had hoped to go about 12+ k's south of Viborg to a Govt. Campsite.. But darkness descended and light rain began to fall. Both the towns camping grounds had closed for the “self imposed” season... There really is NO season unless you create one... Then it is self fulfilling! Completely stuck we were at the mercy of Corporate Denmark...

A obscenely overpriced by any world standard “guest house”. We asked the room price.. 350 DKK ($75.00) for a room with two bunk beds no sheets and no bathroom. Or 420 DKK ($90.00) to include a bathroom. Wait – you guessed it ++++++ Plus Plus Plus...

If there are a tribes of people's that have learned to be deceptive and rip people off then it is “Corporate” Scandinavia and Britain. We had to become “members” of this guest house – just like the caravan parks there is a “body” that controls these. It was 35 DKK EACH ($7.50 OR $15.00 for two) to stay here. We were told we cannot buy a card that allows us to stay anywhere???? (i.e. Any other). Don't know why – I am sure a Dane can? So we must pay this “tax” each time we use them.... PLUS we can not use our sleeping bags.... must buy (Rent) sheets – 50DKK. ($11.00) Then, unlike C/van parks, the internet is available at 10DKK or $2.20 per hour.

BE VERY AWARE if you choose Scandinavia/Britain as your holiday destination. The “ordinary” people are fantastic but CORPORATE Scandinavia/Britain really know(s) how to rip people off. Of course it does NOT end here.. You are provided with cleaning gear and are expected to clean the room before you leave.. included in your room is a vacuum cleaner and various other bit's of cleaning gear. The communal showers are also on the “you clean em” list... (I must say I do not mind the Aussie way, in some C/van parks, that provide a bucket of disinfectant and a mop to do your shower after you use it, so the next guy gets a clean shower floor– but it is a far cry from having to do a full cleaning job in the building). These are NOT the “Youth Hostels” of earlier times where you paid $5 or $10 for a bed.. These are $100.00 +++ hotels. This one is supposed to be four star?

But of course there is more.. The bedding is disgusting, stinking. When you “rent” sheets you are charged 50DKK ($11.00) for TWO BOTTOM SHEETS... You must use the doona “countless” others have used and the pillows “countless” others have used... I'm guessing this would be totally unacceptable to most of the worlds health departments?

It's a total waste of time ME/WE complaining, but you the reader may be able to make some informed choices if you are coming here. Money always wins – right OJ? (O.J. Simpson :-) Did I complain? You bet I did, to the point it was touch and go whether I got a room, or cycle all night :-) Catchya Later.

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