Kids' Dream: LEGOLAND 2015

(This note should be just before Spirit of Balaton chronologically.)
I'm going to write about an undoubtedly pure family vacation. First flight for Emil and Noel and the very first trip abroad together. I can't remember if any of our vacation was such eagerly expected as this one. Seriously, Dominik packed his suitcase even in December, on the following day when the idea was arisen first. Although, the content was changed week by week. And then the day of departure slowly but finally came. What a joy! What an excitement!

Zoli was waiting for all the 6 of us. Actually, I never met such an exemplary host: self-denying, generous, considerate. He organized everything for our convenience. A spacious van (even additional 4 people could have been seated) and a whole beautiful huge house that was incredibly comfortable for us. We were more and more amazed and most of the times just stood in openmouthed wonder. Strawberry and melone as welcome fruits, fully filled fridge, thinking of everyone's taste with more kinds of salad, beer, refreshments, caviar, some Danish specialties, fully filled bathroom, even would buy diapers for Noel if it was up to him. And this list is endless as I'm saying. 

Legoland is only 2 kms far from Billund Airport. Zoli came there and collected our packages so that we could through ourselves into LEGO!!! And we did. Also the following day was planned to devote for Legoland. 

Additionally, Zoli found out some programmes that thought the kids would enjoyed. Like a ZOO and safari park in Givskud where we were allowed to drive through by our own car among lions and giraffes. I also really enjoyed the newly built dino park where we could meet lifelike dinosaurs in full size in their habitat. It was a very nice sunny day full of great memories, including the car engine, too. :-D

Previous night Zoli took us to a beautiful place, to one of the westernmost point of Denmark. We had to be in a hurry so that we could reach the amazing island of Rømø and could see the last rays of the sun. Rømø is linked to the Danish mainland by a road running across a causeway. And wow, what a natural beauty! Really a National Geographic theme. The sand was waving because of the wind, the puddles reflected the amazing colours of the sky and many shells were lieing waiting to be collected. The colours, the air, the sea, the wind, the sand and only we 7 of us that soaked in everyone's mind then and there.

My sisters' went home on the 4th day and the whole house suddenly emptied. Dominik and me extended our stay with 3 more days in order to seek out some Unesco World Heritage Sites, visit Copenhagen, the ancient town of Ribe and the viking runestones in Jelling.

Jelling is not so far from Lunderskov where we lived (closest from Givskud) although, it is of a great importance since those runestones are said to be the very first written memories of Denmark. Two hills that might be burial places, a church between them and the most orderly cemetry I ever seen around. This is all about and the HISTORY.

Staying at history, we also visited Ribe which is the oldest extant town in Denmark established in the early 700s. The long and short of it, it has its own spirit with the main street, the cathedral and the North style houses that completely remind me to the cartoon titled 'How to train your dragon'. Every evening from 1 May until 15 September you may accompany the night watchman in Ribe on his route through the old town, while he is singing to alert citizens about bedtime approaching. 

As a curiosity, June the 21st, the summer equinox reached us in the North where the days are basically longer and now we experienced the longest daytime of the year in Denmark. Of course, the light has its effect to the children as well, they were turning round and round and did not feel tired and did not want to go to sleep. On the other hand, we could well utilized the extremely long daytime for going and seeing a lot because we did not have to worry about the darkness, we could extend our day as much as we wanted. Complete darkness around 12 PM and sunrise at around 3 AM or so. 

We learned well from our last visit that the weather is totally unpredictable. We can live through all the 4 seasons in a couple of hours. This time we prepared with wellies and this proved to be a wise decision because we got showers several times. And if I felt myself uncomfortable at home with umbrella in the rain, I just need to think about those Danish children and adults who naturally walk in the rain without any hat or hood or umbrella and let the raindrops fall on their hair and into their face, disturbing them by no means.

To visit Copenhagen, people have the chance to go through the Storebælt (Great Belt) which is a strait between the major islands. Although, it is quite expensive to drive through the East Bridge with its 18 kms but it's understandable because the construction and maintenance are financed by these tolls on vehicles. 

In Copenhagen and in Denmark generally, the personage of the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen can be experienced. Best remembered for his fairy tales but his popularity is not limited to children. We have visited his 'Little Mermaid' of course, sitting on a rock in the sea. And the rococo style royal residence Amelienborg, the Parlament and got an impression from the famous amusement park and pleasure garden which is the second oldest in the world, operated since 1843, named TIVOLI!!!

Permission for the build-up was given by the king saying if the people are well entertained, they are not thinking of politics. It's a kind of magic or rather crazyness. The rides go too close to the unsuspecting passers-by with the velocity of wind and actually they can be examined in operation from the closest distance seeing the distorted faces. That was a bit strange but fascinating at the same time. Just The Demon roller coaster to mention: reaches a speed of 48 mph (77 km) on a 1,851 ft long track (564m) and a height of 92 ft (28 m) with 3 inversions. No, I haven't tried it, thanks. Even so a big wow for Tivoli where peacocks are walking around the guests. Grandiosity and history, again. 

Next time, I want to be a bit more familiar with the vikings, want to go hiking and conquer some more fjords and those incredible green grazing lands that sometimes seem to be softly united with the fabulous blue of the sky.

We cannot express our thankfullness sufficiently for Zoli for this never-to-be-forgotten family vacation.