Odense, Denmark.....The Land of Fairy -Tales and Happy People!

The trip to Odense was a long one; jet lag, time change, a crowded train, and missed meals.  At 16:00 on a Saturday the fairy-tale began. My friend and I arrived at the Odense train station from Malmo, Sweden with our luggage and no room reservations. Thank goodness for WI FI. We sat in a cafe at the train station with a cup of cappuccino and checked the lodging options on our phones. One hotel espeically caught our eyes, the quaint"Hotel Windsor" just a short walk from the train station.

A Danish couple guided us to the"Hotel Windsor."We got a comfortable room overlooking a quiet street. While my friend Frank was taking a short nap I went downstairs to the cozy dining room and enjoyed the complimentary snacks of carrots, celery, coconut cake and authentic danish pastries (wienerbrod). After a long journey it felt so wonderful to be in a friendly hotel that felt like a home away from home. We were in the land of Hans Christian Andersen. For it was in Odense that Hans Christian Andersen was born and spent his childhood.

                                       Danish pastries are the best in the world!

Our three days in beautiful Odense on the island of Funen were like the pages of a happy fairy-tale filled with treasures, surprises, and interesting people. We walked the cobblestone streets, visited the Hans Christian Andersen home and museum, spent time at the Odense Zoo, mingled with locals in the quaint shops and at remarkable cafes and restaurants. We rode the local train through small villages and spent time by the sea. We wrote poetry, listened to music, and made friends. Oh how we loved Odense. In the three days we were there all our troubles and worries melted away and we left Odense happy and hopeful.

                                           Irresistable Danish chocolates!

                                                       Sitting in the library at "Hotel Windsor"

HYGGE is what the Danish practice and that's why they're considered some of the happiest people in the world. What is HYGGE? It's a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being and regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture. Denmark is filled with delightful and idyllic cities, towns, and villages but ODENSE has a way of captivating its visitors. Afterall it's where Hans Christian Andersen is from.

Where to Stay:

                                                 Milling, Hotel Windsor is a classic hotel

Astruplund-Bed and Breakfast; restored old farmhouse, big garden, near the woods with a relaxed atmosphere.

Milling, Hotel WIndsor; lovely hotel that's close to everything, bountiful breakfast buffet, 24 hour complmentary beverage machine, and tidy rooms.

Radisson Blu H.C. Andersen's Hotel; stylish 4 star hotel, free tea and coffee in the lobby and just steps away from Hans Christian Andersen Museum.


Where to Eat:

                                          Arkaden Food Market


Arkaden Food Market;ultimate place to get international food from 22 different stalls Experience foods from around the world in a state of the art setting.  Staff offer samples of certain dishes to try before ordering.

Klosterkroen; come here for classic and tradtional Danish cuisine.

Mmoks; traditional Nordic food with one of a kind dishes. Food is meant for sharing to try the different unique dishes. Extensive wine list available.

Under Lindetraeet; Situated in a building constructed in 1771 that takes you back in time. Staff is hospitable and the food marvelous. Lovely outdoor seating overlooking Hans Christian Andersen house.

Where to Shop:

There are countless quaint shops that beckon but my favorite is MAGASIN. It's one of Denmark's oldest department stores and everything you can imagine is under one roof. It's actually a British born retailer. Excellent service and a dream place to shop. I got a wonderful discount on a pair of toasty warm boots since I was an international traveler.

ODENSE is Denmark's third largest city but it doesn't feel big or intimidating. It's ideal to bicycle and walk through. In fact the Danish ride their bicycles more than they drive a vehicle. Walking is my favorite though because it gives you moments to be still and really take in all the treasures. Hans Christian Andersen is one of the most beloved writers in the world and one can feel his presence throughout Odense. Within close proximity to Odense is the mesmerizing sea and the vibrant city of Copenhagen. Live a fairy-tale in ODENSE,DENMARK and see why Denmark has some of the happiest people on earth.

                                              Unwind in Odense and take in the storybook setting!

The Pole of the Cold; Siberia's Oymyakon

                                                        Reindeer in Oymyakon


My mother who has Alzheimer's keeps asking why the northern Michigan city she lives in won't close down for the winter. "It's like Siberia" she often says. Well she's not completely accurate although this evening I went cross country skiing for only 20 minutes and when I returned to my tiny studio condo it took me almost an hour to de-thaw from the freezing temperatures oudoors. My mother and I have nothing to complain about especially when the 500 residents of the coldest place on earth deal with frigid temperatures. Where's this coldest place on earth where temperatures dip to an unbelievable -57 degrees? It's OYMYAKON, SIBERIA.

January in certain parts of the world is a cold month but nothing beats the January temperatures of Oymyakon. With my fingers thawing from the frigid northern Michigan winter I literally had tears rolling down my face as I searched the internet to find the coldest place on earth. After watching videos and reading articles about tiny Oymyakon I'm eager to venture to this remote corner of the world. In the meantime I have some interesting facts to share about the earth's coldest place. "THE POLE OF THE COLD"

                                                Frozen fish anyone? Good & Healthy!

1. It takes 2 days and nights to drive to Oymyakon on a barren icy road.

2. 1 million people died making "the road of bones" that leads to Oymyakon.

3. The record low temperature was -98 degrees in 2013.

4. A banana can be used as a hammer.           

5. Frostbite is a constant danger.

6.  Many of the residents have Asiatic features.

7.  Eyelashes freeze due to the constant cold.

8.  Crops can't grow here so residents mosty eat meat and fish.

9.  It is dark 21 hours a day in the winter.

10. Pipes freeze so no plumbing in Oymakon.

11. Cars have to be kept running all the time because the engines freeze.

12. Reindeer herders can take you on a trip through the Siberian wilderness.

13. Oymyakon means "unfrozen water."

14. The area is eqipped with a post office, schools, a bank, and an airport runway.

15. The sun comes out once in awhile.

16. Oymyakon is usually covered with snow.


Only 500 residents can brave the extremely frigid temperares of Oymyakon but to them it's home and they're happy. Comfort is found with love and vodka in cold Oymyakon, Siberia. Be certain to check out the "60 Minutes, Visiting the Coldest town in the World" video on YOU TUBE. It's an excellent and informative documentary.

                         Even a bottle of vodka freezes in Oymyakon!