Denmark

Visited: November 2013

Duration of visit: 6 days

Capital city: Copenhagen

Population: 5.6 million (2013)

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

• Business meeting in Hama factory to commercialize famous Danish Hama beads in Panama.
• Nyhavn (New Harbor) – an old dockland transformed into a colorful colony of picturesque boats, houses, restaurants and many open-air activities in the summer.
• Kids-friendly hotels and restaurants equipped with Lego bricks, toys and boards to entertain children, while adults do their activities.
• Amalienborg Palace guarded by soldiers of the Royal Guard with bearskins and blue uniforms.
• Constant November soft rain with light raindrops that almost float in the air gently fall on the car’s windshield and never turns into a real downpour.

The oldest kingdom in Europe has gained its reputation by constant development and focus on quality of life, rather than economic growth at any price. Economic prosperity, medical care, social equality, a very successful social welfare system, quality nourishment, active lifestyle and strict emigration control combined with full integration, have positioned this Scandinavian nation as one of the happiest in the world.

With a population of only 5.6 million, Danes have won 13 Nobel prizes (the highest per capita) and produced internationally recognized writers, painters, sculptors, and craftsmen.

Families and time spent with family are the most important aspects of Danish life.

There were two main reasons why I visited Denmark in 2013:

• I was looking for a business opportunity to start operations in Panama and Hama beads seem to be a great option to offer an innovative solution for kids, who are eager to learn and grow, obtaining new skills.
• The second reason was to travel with small children to one of the most kids-friendly country in the world. Both assumptions confirmed to be correct during the trip.

When travelling with small kids, is not always easy to keep them entertained, busy or active and safe, while adults do their activities. Denmark is probably the best place on earth for the kids, where children’s menus in restaurants are by far not the only perk to make kids welcome. High tech playgrounds, the land of Vikings, plenty of places to play outdoors, interactive museums, theme parks, everything that is connected with Lego and many small details amazed me on every step.

All these amenities were even more appreciated due to the very short daylight in November, when the weather and darkness are not the most pleasant to walk outside in the late afternoon.

The most rewarding little gestures are found in hotels lobbies, restaurants or other waiting areas, where kids have a separated area to play and create.

Most of these places are equipped with a specially designed tables, loaded with Lego bricks, toys, crayons and paper.

Hama beads are developed and manufactured in a factory in Nykøbing Mors. High-quality products are fabricated in a rather simple way, but the form how they are applied in practice motivated me to try distribution in Panama. In a formal meeting with an export manager we discussed all the advantages, marketing possibilities and commercial conditions.

All the process in the factory work perfectly. There is no rush, the atmosphere is relaxed and employees seem to be happy and loyal to the company for decades.

The professionalism, perfect support and good communication were received through our cooperation, until a few years later I decided to stop the operation, because Danish originated products were just too expensive to be accepted in Panamanian market. When cheaper Chinese or Ikea versions became available, the challenge to compete was impossible.

The capital of Denmark received us with rain, clouds and cold weather. Constant November soft rain with light raindrops that almost float in the air and gently fall, never turned into a real downpour. Covered in raincoats and accompanied with umbrellas, we explored the center of Copenhagen and the main attractions from outside.

From stunning royal palaces and picturesque canals to trendy neighborhoods and world-class museums, Copenhagen has a lot to offer for being a rather small city with population of 600,000.

Colorful, captivating Nyhavn is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights, where beautiful old houses have been renovated and restaurants dominate the old port. Originally, the area was used as a commercial port, where ships from all over the world would dock, to upload and download the goods, sailors visiting pubs, alehouses and satisfying their sexual needs with local women.

At present, sailors have been replaced by tourists and local visitors walking beside the canal, enjoying sounds of jazz, sipping coffee or beer in cafes and bars, tasting great food in relaxed atmosphere of expensive restaurants. However, boats still line the canal and canal tours can take you on trips of the city’s other waterways.

The iconic statue, symbolizing the city, The Little Mermaid, was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale. It talks about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince, on land. The 1.25 meters tall sculpture is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade. The statue was decapitated on many occasions as well as being poured by paint as a sign of vandalism.

There were not many people around during our visit due to rain, so we had plenty of time to enjoy it alone.

Copenhagen’s largest shopping area is centered around Strøget, in the heart of the city, stretched for over a kilometer from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. It features budget chains of clothes stores, designer brands, souvenir shops and more. Street performers and Lego store called much more the attention of my kids then the City Hall Square, Hall Tower or Church of Our Lady.

During our short visit I’ve got a chance to see different sides of Denmark society: doing business, children friendly community, driving a car between cities and on the countryside and exploring the capital by walking around Copenhagen.

One of the best places to live and one of the happiest countries in the world doesn’t reflect the status on the first sight. There is not much splendor, wealth or luxury visible or exhibited. The added value is in details about appreciating life’s simple pleasures, with the people, who matter most to them.

The country, where bikes are more popular than cars, where the first amusement park was established and where toy production Lego company is based, is a heaven for kids. To live or to visit!