Morning in Rønne

Swans explore Rønne harbor.

It's always a bit odd when you arrive in a new place after the sun has gone down. You have no idea where you are, how to get where you're going, or what you might come across. Last night was no different for me; once I landed at the Bornholm airport, the cluelessness set in until just before I was admitted into the room I'm renting in Rønne, the largest town here on Bornholm.

However, the situation always looks better in the morning. And true to form, I woke up with a view of the harbor, where I could make out large numbers of ducks, swans and smews afloat in the harbor. My host, Mr. Norby, had arranged an enormous breakfast for me with coffee, tea, meats and cheeses, and a variety of breads. His English is somewhat limited (although not nearly as limited as my Danish) but he made a good effort as we talked a bit about Denmark and Bornholm. He's originally from Copenhagen, but had the opportunity to move here a couple of years ago for retirement, making some extra money by letting out rooms of this home as a bed and breakfast.

After I ate my fill, I made my way into the town center to pay for my room and to rent a bicycle, which I'm intended to make my main mode of transit for my stay. That said, the lady at the visitor's center gave me a strange look when I suggested I'd be trying to make it up to the island's north side tomorrow. It is indeed cold and somewhat windy here, but I am stubborn.

Anyway, the bike I rented, while a little goofy looking perhaps, seems to be perfectly adequate, and in my opinion is a bargain at roughly $25 for three days. Later this morning and this afternoon I'm intending to ride up the island's west coast, where I've read there are ruins of an ancient castle called Hammershus Slot. It'll be a good test for separating what's possible here with the bicycle and what simply isn't advised by the visitors center.


Below: My preferred mode of transit for the next three days.