So Samsø...

I said I would post this earlier in the week but I have been (believe it or not) doing my assignment. I discovered that I had to physically hand in a hard copy which has brought the due date forward by 3 weeks as I will not physically be here to hand it in.

Anyway, what you all came for... Samsø...

In short, the weekend was one of the best times I’ve had so far. Samsø is everything that I have ever pictured in my mind that Europe would be. Rolling hills, water, thatched roofs on the houses and bikes. Samsø is a place where many Danes go for the Summer. I was fortunate to be asked along by my kitchen mates from Teitgen. The house at Samsø belongs to Anne's family, and from what I understand it belonged to her grandfather. Each generation have added something to the house, her grandfather built the kitchen which was attached to a gypsy van then her parents removed the van and added a new wing which includes a living area and a mezzanine sleeping deck. Anne thinks she might like to add a raised out-house so you can go to the bathroom with a view of the ocean. I like this.

It is very quaint; very ‘Danish’. There are neighbors but you'd be pressed seeing or hearing them. Over the course of the weekend there were seven of us; Anne (new), Camilla, Jakob, Anne, Kasper, Aisling and I. I arrived on Saturday evening around 7pm and was met with a delicious BBQ with beef and potatoes and corn from the local farmers and all more.

After dinner the girls decided that we were going to paint our faces, nails and bodies with shiny stuff. Why? Because it is fun silly! Anne painted everyone's face with 'fairy' dust and we all adorned fairy names. I can't remember mine but I know it had a unicorn in it.





We then created glitter tattoos... again because it's fun!







Then I met this guy, and did my very best Steve Irwin impersonation for the Danes. It is apparently the closest thing you would find to a snake in Denmark - it is in fact, a snail. Now don't get too close...



By this time the Pilsner's were flowing so we headed to the headland (ha ha) to watch the sunset and try and create an 'album cover' similar to that of Dawson's Creek. I think we did ok.

Then Friends...





Then they pulled out a game called 'Klubb', which is apparently very Danish - you will soon learn that everything is Danish. Sunsets are Danish. Green fields are Danish. Humour is Danish. They claim everything, but I think we should let them have it because they certainly have got a nice philosophy on life and how to go about it. So back to Klubb. You line up wooden blocks and you have to knock down the opponents wooden blocks with the throwing blocks. As you all know I'm a sore loser but I'm an even sorer winner, but we won so we proceeded to give the other team a well-deserved barraging.



Not long after the sun was down so we headed inside to do shots (ugh!) as we were to venture out to see some local night life - which was a local restaurant-turned-night club that has a Danish name but everyone calls 'The Butt Cheek' because that is how it translates in English. Little shady from this point on (because of aforementioned shots) but there was lots of dancing and laughing at locals.

The next day.... it was a morning from heaven. The sun was shining, birds singing, bees buzzing...

But some very shady inhabitants in the house at Samsø.

Thankfully they all made buns - possibly one of the best hangover remedies I've ever had. Home made buns with butter and home made rhubarb (rubaba) jam.



Followed by a dip in the ocean.



A 14 degree dip... holy moly it was cold. The type of cold that burns your skin and seizes your muscles. But it surely sorted out my headache.



Next, it was time to go for a ride. Of course, that's what you do in Denmark when you're heavily hung-over and the sun is shining. There are no excuses. I'm glad though, this was my favorite part. We headed off on our deadly-treadlies in search of more fresh produce and the other side of the island. This is Anne, Camilla, Myself and Aisling, the bike bandits:



First stop was food. The farmers leave their produce on the side of the road, there is an honesty system where you leave the money in a little cash box at the stall.



And off again!



After about an hour and a half we got to the other side of the island, found a little table and ate the peas that we bought from the stalls. We contemplated doing the 4hour walk to the top of the island, but as it was already late in the day we thought it best not to.



So back on our bikes for the long journey home...





...to prepare the food we bought! Tonight we had another BBQ with veggies and pork and after dinner Kasper made us all Danish pancakes (which are actually crepes, but he doesn't believe me).



YUM.



I was so tired that I think I passed out not long after this. Then the following morning I took a ferry, train, bus, train, bus and finally a train to get home. It was fun though because I had the company of Camilla who had to leave also as she is flying to Australia for her exchange.

So that was Samsø, there are of course heaps more, but it's late. Before I finish though I would like to thank the two Anne's, Jakob, Kasper, Camilla and Aisling for firstly inviting a foreigner along (moreover, an Aussie) and for sharing the weekend. It is one that I will look back with the fondest of memories. Not only for the location and beautiful surroundings but the all-round top shelf company and world-class banter.

Tak!