Copenhagen, Denmark -(2) Copenhagen in the evening

It is well-known that Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, and my photos taken while walking along the river in Copenhagen certainly reflect this joyful atmosphere. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the picturesque Nyhavn neighborhood, which is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The colorful buildings at golden hour made for the perfect photo opportunity, and I couldn't help but feel happy and content surrounded by such vibrant scenery

Copenhagen, Denmark- (1) The Garden of the Royal Library

 The Garden of the Royal Library is a hidden gem in the heart of Copenhagen. There are no signs outside and not much advertisement on the web, but it's definitely worth a visit. We stumbled upon it by accident while making our way to Nyhavn, one of Copenhagen's most popular places to visit.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark has been voted the happiest country to live in and it's easy to see why. During my visit to Copenhagen, I noticed that everyone spoke perfect English and the locals were warm, genuine, polite, and always ready to offer help. The people were beautiful, happy, and fit, and it seemed like the entire city was designed for bikers, pedestrians, and cars to coexist with separate lanes for each. Most people opted to bike or walk to their destinations, and bike rentals were easily available. The bikes didn't come with gears, but they were fast, and it was common to see people riding without helmets.

The weather in August was perfect, and it seemed like everyone was outside enjoying themselves, whether with friends or family. It felt like the Danes were celebrating life every day, and their positive attitudes contributed to the overall happiness of the city.

Azaleas at Brighton Dam

 Established in 1959, Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes over 5 acres land.  Each year in May, this place is a heaven for people who appreciate flowers and nature.  The gorgeous azaleas bloom and glow and give us so much joy (photos were taken in May of 2022).  

Trip to Spain and Portugal - The village of Monsanto, Portugal (24)

Monsanto is a historic village in Portugal that played a significant role in defending the country from various invaders throughout the centuries. Set atop a hill, the village is famous for its unique feature - boulders. The entire village was built around these massive rocks, giving it a distinct character. Monsanto has been bestowed with the title of the "most Portuguese town in Portugal."

It's important to note that driving up to the top is not recommended due to the narrow and sharply twisted streets. Instead, we opted for a slow hike up to the village, admiring the tiny dwellings along the way while stopping to take in the stunning views of Monsanto below. It was a truly unique experience. As we hiked, a friendly village dog followed us all the way to the top, and we almost took him home with us!

At the very top of the hill is a very old square built castle.  It was said that the castle played an important role in Medieval times when the Templars Grand Master built a castle which withstood several battles.