Sunday, March 31, 2013

Beggars in the streets


I've posted before about beggars in Copenhagen, and I must confess that they annoy me a bit. Not that I think they're all faking it (though I know that some are), but maybe I'm just ashamed that I don't or can't really help them. No matter what the reason is, I see them in much the same way I see the facers of the NGO's that are pestering you when you pass. It might just be that I like to walk around in the city in a sort of cocoon, without being forced to commit myself to anything or anyone.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Heavy on equipment


On the square of Amagertorv on Strøget in Copenhagen you'll find bands like this performing. No mere sax or acoustic guitar and a loud voice, but a regular band with loudspeakers, microphones and all the other paraphernalia. Sometimes they're good (this one was) and sometimes they're just loud.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Traditional


One of the more traditional street musicians in Copenhagen is this guy. With his guitar, Stetson, knick-knacks and dog, you'll often notice him standing around performing oldies-but-goodies in Strøget. Tomorrow I'll show you some that are not as simple as this one.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Reacting


I like to observe people's reactions to the homeless people in Copenhagen. Some just ignore the misery, others give them a quick glance and almost shameful hurry on, and then there's some that simply can't conceal their curiosity. This mother and her two kids just stopped and stared at the lying figures, before moving on. These sleeping people are a fixture on the City Hall Square as they try to get some warmth from the vents underneath.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Playing to no audience


The street musicians doesn't seem to mind the cold weather as they're on the streets and squares of Copenhagen all year round. This one on the City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) did seem to be struggling to attract an audience, as he sat with his back to the green fence surrounding the metro construction site. At least the sun was out to give him some warmth.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Spring soon?


The snowdrops are struggling to get through the hard frozen dirt in Denmark and people are longing for spring. With heavy snowfall last week and freezing temperatures it still seems a long way off.

Monday, March 25, 2013

The sun is here


Whenever the sun is shining in Copenhagen, people crowd the outdoor serving places everywhere, even if the temperature is below freezing. This photo is from Saturday in the Nyhavn, which is one of the traditional places to go when there's a bit of sun.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Getting close


One of the most anticipated things about the new Arctic Ring area at Copenhagen Zoo is that you can get really close to the swimming polar bears. Only a thick glass wall separates the spectators from the bears and as a tunnel of glass brings you under the basin as well, you can really enjoy the animals in their element. I'm looking forward to going there on a day, where I don't have to use my elbows to get a glimpse of the action, though.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Exhausted

 

 

With all the new surroundings and the crowds of people watching, it's no wonder the polar bear here needs a power nap. The Arctic Ring in Copenhagen Zoo is a huge success, but it does take its toll on the bears.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Northern Light

 

You might be lucky to see northern light in Denmark a few times a year, but due to light pollution that is usually not possible in Copenhagen. But now you can experience an artificial version in Copenhagen Zoo's new Arctic Ring. In one of the connecting tunnels light projectors make the illusion as you walk through.

 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Arctic Ring


The new area in Copenhagen Zoo is amazing. Called the Arctic Ring there's a bigger area and basin for the polar bears and a cliff for North Atlantic birds. At the moment the only downside is that it's very popular so there's always big crowds of people, so I think I'll wait a few months before I'll be able to get really nice pics of the diving polar bears.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Rooaaarrr


This lion cub will not be bullied by its older aunt. When the lions got cubs there's often something going on in the enclosure in Copenhagen Zoo.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Playing in the snow


Even though the weather in Copenhagen might not be their favourite, the lion cubs in Copenhagen Zoo seems to enjoy a playing in the snow.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Breaking through

 

Even if the calendar is telling us that it's spring, the weather in Denmark sure don't agree. These winter aconites are struggling to get through the frozen earth and a light covering of snow, so there're some signs that spring might be coming at some point, but Father Frost will be back with a vengeance in the next few days as a blizzard seems to be heading towards us. High winds and up to 30 cm of snow will make getting around in Copenhagen interesting Tuesday.

 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Early morning

 

You don't always have to go somewhere special or have your big full-frame DSLR with you to catch a nice sunrise. I took this one with my iPhone while walking to work one cold morning last week. My iPhone is always with me and even when using my Nikon D800 I often shoot a few reference photos with the iPhone. Then I have something to quickly publish on either FB, Instagram or Tadaa. Or on this blog:)

 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The man of iron on his key

 

A photo of the complete sculpture mentioned in yesterday's post. Here you can see the garbage man sitting on his key as he contemplates the future of the city.

 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Man of steel

 

One of the more controversial sculptures in Copenhagen is this one. It was placed in the harbour a few months ago right next to the old custom houses in a place where he is really visible to all the tourist passing on the walk from the Little Mermaid to Amalienborg Palace. Sitting on a key of steel and made of old machine parts and steel tubing, many find him misplaced and plain ugly. I actually find him a nice addition to the area.

 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Harbour

 

Another shot from a beautiful morning in Copenhagen Harbour. And I've included the anchor to get that Harbour feeling just right.

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Skyline

 

Copenhagen hasn't got much of a skyline but some features do stand out. Here it's the chimneys of the Amager Power Plant, the old mast crane at Holmen and the chimney of the waste disposal plant of Vestforbrændingen that are outlined by the sunrise.

 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Shining through

 

Not being able to sleep in does have its rewards and watching sunrises is one them. A favourite place of mine to greet he sun of the new day is Copenhagen Harbour. This photo was taken with my iPhone a week ago just as the sun was shining through a sculpture on the wharf right next to the HQ of Maersk.

 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Boom

 

The last of the Malta photos I'll show you before I go back to showing pics from Copenhagen, is this one. You've already seen the one taken a third of a second before where the canon at the saluting battery at Upper Barakka Gardens showed a red fireball. This cloud of gunsmoke was almost as impressive when captured. I do like the Nikon D800 even though the frame rate per second is not quite as good as my Nikon D300, but it was good enough for this sequence.

 

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Revist

 

When you revisit somewhere after a few years you tend to notice the changes, even if you're not sure what has happened. This was the case when I saw Republic Square in Valletta for the first time in 4 years. It took me a few minutes to realize what was wrong; it wasn't a parking place anymore but a fully functional square with a modern fountain and benches to sit. And I must confess I like the change.

 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Granaries

 

This is not the base of columns but the lids of granaries. The granaries where well inside the city walls of Valletta so that the grain was kept safe in case of a new siege. These granaries are in front of Fort St Elmo at the tip of the peninsula.

Friday, March 8, 2013

The Brits were here

 

It's still very obvious that the Malta was a British colony for more then 150 years. Red telephone boxes, Royal Mail letter boxes, left-hand drive and the fact that most Maltese speaks very good English are just a few of the signs.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Where's the bus?

 

One thing I remember from earlier visits to Malta is the old yellow and red Leland and Bedford busses from the 1950's and 1960's. They have recently been replaced by modern busses run by Arriva. So no more bumping around in a door-less relic with the fumes trailing behind and the sound of the struggling engine and grinding gear-shifts. No more wondering when the passengers are expected to jump out to push the near wreck up that steep hill or if the breaks doesn't work or the driver just don't use them on the downhill. I actually miss the experience, even though I'm sure most of the locals like change.

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Mosta Dome

 

A must see in Malta is the church of the Mosta parish, called Mosta Dome. Hailed as the third largest free-standing Christian dome in Europe, it really is worth a visit. Remember to see the miracle bomb as well, and hear the story of how the German bomb penetrated the dome during World War II and failed to go off, saving the lives of around 300 people celebrating mass there at the time.

 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Still a harbour

 

For thousands of years the two big natural harbours of Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour has made Malta one of the most important pieces of land in the Mediterranean, and more so it's strategic placement in the narrow strait between North Africa and Sicily. Even today it's still an important stop for many merchant ships and cruise lines. Sometimes the ships has to berth a little too close for comfort, like this tanker anchored right next to a block of apartments.

 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Splendour


A must see in Valletta is the great St John's Co-Cathedral. A true Catholic church with golden decorations, paintings and statues everywhere. For the art-lovers are two Caravaggio paintings to goggle at.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Silent City

 

Called The Silent City Mdina in Central Malta is the Capitol of old from before the Knights of St John came it the island. Sitting on a hilltop it was the perfect refuge when pirates, invaders or other pests came to the island. With only about 300 inhabitants it's a nice and quiet place, especially out of the tourist season. And the narrow medieval streets invites you to explore and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

What a view


Being a rocky island, Malta offers a range of spectacular views which both visitors and residents enjoy. This house is built on the cliffs at Fomm ir-Rih Bay and is the former residence of one of the Maltese presidents. Today it is owned by a foreigner living here only part-time.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Popeye Village


Malta is used as a location for a lot of movies; Munich, Gladiator, Alexander, Casino Royale and Troy, just to mention a few, were all shot in part here. One of the movies left behind the whole set near Mellieha, so that you now can visit Popeye's village. It is now used as a kind of amusement park for tourists and locals alike. You can see the complete list of the movies that has used the island as a location here.