Day 3: Copenhagen

It's raining early in the morning and we pack our things and drive to the DSDF ferry terminal. We park in a side street and walk 10 minutes to the Little Mermaid. We pay 100 DKK (13€) for 5 hours of parking, not exactly a bargain. Fortunately, the rain stops and the sun shines. We use the hop-on bus again and get off at the central station. We want to visit the fire station. Unfortunately, no one has time for us, so some pictures from the outside will do. Now we visit the Redeemer's Church in Christianhavn for the second time. The church is simply furnished inside. The organ is beautiful to look at. We light a candle. Now we want to climb the tower of the church. Since only a limited number of people can go up at the same time, we wait for 15 minutes. The admission for 2 people costs 100 DKK. Normally, children have to pay 10 DKK, but they let them through without payment. Now we climb up the 400 steps. Initially normal steps, then they get narrower between the beams at the top. The oncoming traffic makes it more difficult. Rene is also carrying David. When we reach the top, we are rewarded with a great view of Copenhagen. It's crowded here too. There is only enough space for 2 people to pass each other. Erik is afraid of heights. We walk around the tower once. There are more stairs leading to the top. Erik doesn't want to go up any further, and it's not safe enough with David. So I climb the last steps alone. The last steps are maybe 20cm wide. The wind blows around my ears and I feel like the tower is swaying. The view is worth it. The descent is exhausting but quick. Now we take the bus back one last time. The prices in the city are very expensive. We usually pay between 25-35€ for our meals. But we are thrifty because the restaurant menus often show much higher prices. We bring magnets from the countries as souvenirs. But 5€ for a simple magnet is too expensive for me. Finally, I find something in a small shopping street at the cruise ship terminal. I get a magnet for 2€ and a little mermaid.
There is also a second statue of the Little Mermaid, but it is not as beautiful. The woman is misshapen with arms and legs. But she is supposed to be closer to the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Our ship is just a few steps away. We drive the last meters to the check-in by car and move into our cabin. It consists of 2 bunk beds with a narrow aisle. There is also a small bathroom. We explore the boat. It has many restaurants, bars, play areas for children, and even a small pool area. We spend some time in the play area. The prices for the restaurants are very expensive, but we are prepared. We have a picnic in our cabin and then walk around the different decks. The sea is calm and the sun is shining. We order a cocktail, beer, and a Sprite in a bar and enjoy the live music. The kids dance with excitement. We are ready for bed in the cabin by 10pm. Erik sleeps on the upper bunk with a safety rail. David sleeps underneath in the tent. Unfortunately, the cabin is so small that the tent doesn't fit on the floor. Shortly after falling asleep, there is a crash and the tent and David are on the floor. I am so scared because David doesn't scream. We free him from his precarious situation. I think he's unconscious, but no, he just keeps sleeping. The tent and the soft floor cushioned his fall. I just go to the reception and get another safety rail. Now David sleeps in bed, without the tent, this time without any incidents.