Copenhagen and the Summer House.

While we were in Denmark Hannah and her friends hosted us so well. This trip was very special partly because of all the people we met along the way. Last year in Indonesia I found it so interesting to see people's lifestyle from the other side of the world. But during this trip I also realised that people that live closer also have very varied ways of living. I learned and it opened my mind to other possibilities. 

We decided to have a day in Copenhagen as Hannah only lives an hour away from it. 

Dropping off Jonas' stool at a depo of a stool collector. 

Cardamom pastry. 

I love filter coffee. 

Time traveller's tomb stone in a graveyard in Copenhagen. 1996-2064. 

Specialised brush shop. 

The center of Copenhagen was a bit disappointing, but this restaurant certainly was not. 

In the evening we went to one of Hannah's friends parents' summer house. 

The Baltic sea is not salty. I googled and found answers: 

The Baltic Sea is unique: the largest body of brackish (low-salinity) water in the world, it is also distinguished by its division into a series of basins of varying depths, separated by shallow areas or sills. The many rivers flowing into the Sea are the reason for its brackish character. Source. 

Jonas enjoying life. 

Pretending we own a dog. 

My man. 

Lovely dinner and delicious people. 

Collective living in Tølløse.

After Hamburg we made our way to Tølløse (Denmark), where Jonas’ sister, Hannah, lives in a collective with eight more people. It was interesting to see this way of living in a group. They collectively asked for a mortgage to buy this wooden Swedish house that they are all repairing together. I wish this option of a collective mortgage existed in the Netherlands. I found myself easily imagining living with a group of friends in Rotterdam, sharing tasks and responsibilities. I think it’s an interesting option especially because I don’t have family nearby. 

We got a boat from Puttgarden (Germany) to Rødbyhavn (Denmark)

The Swedish wooden house that was bought with a collective mortgage. They are busy fixing it up. 

Cosy inside. 

All the right prints. 

The Boss. 

Marijke and her now famous green onesie. 

I wanted to show you our tents but Phil was really eager to be in the photo. 

Hannah and Line. Line is a stone mason. Hannah is a writer. 

Jonas, Hannah and their American granny. 

It doesn't get much cosier than this. 

Line working away on the insolation of the house. 

In the vegetable garden. 

Our first of many berry picks during the trip. 

Sausages and Beer.

We were so eager to get on the road and start our roadtrip! The first stop was only a couple of hours away from Rotterdam, recommended by Toon and Jannetje: the Rodelbahn!

Excited about the Rodelbahn ride. 

Scared or excited?

Making our way to Hamburg.



Façade of Brahms Kontor, where our host Sina works. She was an amazing host and showed us all the highlights of the city.

The beautifully tiled stairs of the Brahms Kontor (Hamburg).

The staircase of the Brahms Kontor from the highest floor. 

 Heiligengeistfeld Flakturm IV bunker. Some wiki info:

G-Tower was transformed into a nightclub with a music school and music shops. 53.556212°N 9.970104°E.This tower, containing six levels below the rooftop, includes in its design, as part of its air-raid shelter, two identical spaces for protection against gas attacks, one on the first floor (above ground level) and the other on the second floor. Both in Tower 1, they are about 300 sq. m. (3,230 sq. ft.) in area, and have six windows (openings in the wall).

We told Sina we wanted sausages and beer and that's what we got. 

Currywurst!

Sina taking her role as a city guide very seriously. 

One of the things I felt jealous about of Hamburg (vs. Rotterdam) was the amount of people that were outside, using public spaces, also in less residencial areas. It made the city feel more full of life and safer. 

We ended the tour on this beach with amazing views. 

Sina had one of my prints and this Pothead on her wall! 

Tommi in Sina's and his place. 

Enjoying a sofa with Marijke before not having access to one for the following 8 or 9 days.

Thank you Sina, it was great to see you and catch up after all this time! 

The travel companions.

Marijke, Jonas and Phil were my travel companions during an unforgettable road trip to Finland. We talked, we learned, we saw different ways of living, we were young, we were free. Maybe I should count myself out for the young bit, though the older I am the more I believe that age is a state of mind. Does saying that mean I'm talking like an old person? Nevermind. 

This photo was taken during the excitement before beginning our trip from Rotterdam. Plenty more photos to come.