Copenhagen, episode 1. In which we get Danish.

Copenhagen has never been on my travel radar nor had it ever cropped up on one of my infinite travel lists. That confession confessed, I must apologize for that omission to the beautiful and colorfully magnificent and magnificently majestic ancient city and its people who welcomed us warmly last June when Mari and I enjoyed some pre and post cruise time in Denmark's capital city.

Yes, Mari and I are cruisers.

We came to the floating hotel concept a bit late (a 20th anniversary trip in 2010 was our first experience), but we have quickly embraced not only the concept of cruising, but the convenience (and the pampering), too.

Fortunately for both of us, we seem to come from seafarer stock and enjoy the (mostly) subtle floating-on-water experience. Regardless of how much I can say in favor of cruising, if you suffer seasickness, of course, my persuasive skills shall still have you over a barrel.

More on cruising later in this series because I would like to share with you some fleamarket experiences (and secondhand goodies, of course) from several cities beyond Copenhagen visited on our Baltic cruise. I also would like to share with you some tips on getting the most of your cruise as well as explore some of the benefits.

Mari and I snapped our colorful selfie above on our first full day in Copenhagen, which just happened to be fleamarket Sunday. That "just happened to be" is for poetic license only because you know that was no accident.  Of course, we planned a fleamarket Sunday!

Here's a quick look at one of the first locations we visited at the Ravnsborggade street market. As you can see it is definitely on the street and also very colorful and eclectic. And certainly very rustic!

Mari and I had a little trouble first finding the location, but once we did, we just followed the crowd, the music, and the lively atmosphere. The bargains came easily after that.

I'll return with you to Ravnsborggade next time and share some of our Danish rescues in future posts.

Let's get back to the beautiful city of Copenhagen, a new favorite for us, and meet one of its most famous residents.

Located on a peaceful promenade leading to the sound which eventually leads into the Baltic Sea, the famed bronze sculpture by Edvard Eriksen reclines on a rock and looks peacefully yet longingly to the North as if awaiting a lover's return.

Awaiting The Little Mermaid the evening we visited during our sunset walk along the bay's Langelinie promenade was not a single true love but multitudes.

Several tour buses of extraordinarily excited tourists looking for good luck as much as The Little Mermaid may have been looking forlornly for true love were mid-tour and frantically reaching out for souvenir photos.

Mari and I were a little surprised to find so many visitors during our evening stroll, but as much as we had hoped for a romantic stroll, our out-of-town compatriots were hoping for a perfect Copenhagen photo op. They found one and so did we.

Click on my YouTube video above to watch some of my video footage from that evening. It's only two minutes long but will give you a good idea of the frenzied atmosphere surrounding the seemingly serene tourist icon.

I believe the intention of setting the bronze sculpture on a rock off shore was to keep people from climbing on one of Denmark's national treasures, but, of course, good intentions never stopped no tourist from gettin' no photo!

I'm not sure what the motivation was behind touching the actual statue, but I'm wishing all the tourists we met that evening the best of luck, safe travels, and many thanks for a memorable experience!

Just a few minutes' walk away, Mari and I came across another couple of peaceful observers out for an evening stroll (float).

More from Copenhagen (and beyond) next time.