We all have dreams and plans. I was one of them who was positively looking forward to some of the exciting things last year, and then they were all taken away from me due to a situation. The plans I was talking about had names, and they were called destinations in traveling context. Traveling has been my passion, so it was a big disappointment when three of my planned trips got canceled in 2020. Two of them were big trips, which one of them involved my best friend from Indonesia who had dreamt and planned about this trip almost her whole life. (And she is still dreaming about it, although I think she must have been more disappointed than I have). And yes, I have bought plane tickets and have booked accommodation in all of those destinations. But fortunately, I could get our money back.
And you must already know about the ‘situation’ I was talking about, it was the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been travel restrictions to go abroad and they are just getting tighter now. Anyway, I have learned to try to let go of things that I can’t influence and to focus on the things that I can influence. To focus on the present moment and the opportunity. Disappointed at first? Surely yes. But was there even an opportunity in this situation? Yes, there was. Fortunately, at the beginning of the pandemic, the COVID-19 situation in Denmark was much more controllable than in other countries in the world, so the first national lockdown did not last as long. The Danish government has also been very generous that in the last summer of 2020, there were 50% discounts given to the entrance fees of zoos, museums, and free ferry tickets to cross many islands in Denmark. It was quite a rare opportunity, so we took the chance. We can say that COVID-19 travels for us were domestic travels – to explore locally.
It was a perfect opportunity to travel around Denmark and to do island hopping. Just between March 2020-February 2021, we have traveled to 12 islands in Denmark (plus Jylland, which is not an island), to 20+ towns, 5 zoos/safari parks, and have taken 3 ferry trips to 3 different destinations (one of them was for free). The 12 islands I referred to were: Samsø, Fyn, Mors, Langeland, Tåsinge, Strynø, Sjælland, Gavnø, Lolland, Falster, Møn, and Hjarnø. I have been to more Danish islands than the aforementioned, but visited them before 2020. I also visited most of these places not during the national lockdown, as the lockdown order was serious. Safety and health first, and always remember to respect the rules and to protect others.
Where have you been in 2020-2021? Any new places or new dream destinations? The photos below are the highlights or my favorite ‘traveling around Denmark’ moments of our trips, and this post is the Spring-Summer 2020 edition. The Autumn-Winter edition will come in the next post. Hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic will fade away by the vaccine and the lockdown rules will be lifted soon. Until then, hope you can find inspiration from this post. Enjoy!
Cherry blossom in Mindeparken, Aarhus 
Rosenvold Strand Camping, Juelsminde
Seal in Odense Zoo
Authentic Indonesian Becak found in Odense Zoo
Tranekær, Langeland 
Dageløkke Marina, Langeland
Seal Safari in Thyborøn by the boat
The old bunker in Thyborøn
Tivoli Fireworks show from our terrace, First Hotel Kong Frederik
Christianborg Palace, Copenhagen
Faxe Kalkbrud, Faxe 
Gavnø Slot, Gavnø
Stevns Klint 
Møns Klint
Lyng (Erica) in Rebild Bakker 
Rebild Bakker
Surfing boards, Klitmøller (cold Hawaii) 
A hipster surf shop in Klitmøller
Rubjerg Knude Fyr 
Strynø Havn (Strynø is an island of 4.88 km2)
Aalborg Harbour 
The center of Samsø
Bathing under the sunset in Samsø 
Issehoved, Samsø (reminded me of Komodo island in Indonesia)
Besser Rev in Samsø
The sheeps in Hobro 
Havnø Gods, Hadsund
Summer in Mors (we saw a seal shown up in the harbor)
A cozy corner in Helsingør 
Kronborg Castle, Helsingør
Haveje Marielyst, Falster
Knuthenborg Safaripark, Maribo, Lolland
The rhinos in Knuthenborg Safaripark were taking a nap. The huts behind are rentable for the guests during the opening season.
