Denmark | Odense

Odense

When I was researching on where we could go outside Copenhagen for a day trip, I came across two options: Aarhus and the island of Funen. Funen is home to many fairy tales, and Odense is the main city on this island. It is also the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. What we didn't know was that it took us 1.5h to get there by train, and return tickets were about GBP60 each person. Gasp. Oh well, we were already standing at the train station. "Aiya, just go lah'" commented K.

Ok, let's go!!

To the Countryside

Passed by many beautiful yellow fields

Finally, 1.5h and an orange later, we have reached Odense! If you look at the map, you would see we have travelled right to the centre of Denmark. Cool :) We passed by many fields, and a considerable amount of yellow fields like the one above.

Unfortunately it was Sunday and the town of Odense was very quiet. Museums were opened though so we went straight to Hans Christian Anderson's house, which has been converted to a museum.

One of the fairy tale streets in Odense. People say it's no wonder he had so much inspirations for his stories growing up here.

Quiet Odense

Finally we found his house! Ermm later we realised this is the back door.

A Christmas shop opposite his house selling all things related to fairy tales.

Another house on the same street

A pretty restaurant

And finally, the man himself. Mr H. C. Anderson. He was considered tall in his time and distinctly known for his umm.. nose.

In the museum, we read about his life, and how he started off wanting to be in theatre and couldn't get his big break. To fund himself, he had to look for other means which resulted in him writing some children's short stories. They were a big hit and the demand for his fairy tales grew, to the point he gave up acting and pursued writing instead.

We had lunch, and then proceeded to go to the Funen Open Air Museum, a village which has been preserved since hundreds of years ago. Visitors could understand the way of life of villagers back in time. I thought it would be quite interesting... but... oh well, I think being city dwellers like us, we got a little bored after a while. And we felt rather tired by then. In fact, we couldn't wait to be back in our hotel. Gosh that would be at least 2h later since we were so far away.