We're on a BOAT!

Today was a very stressful day. Being the stupid Americans we can't help but be, we brought 6 full size suit cases. Never did it cross our minds until we were lugging it to the train station that getting that luggage across Denmark might be difficult. We successfully managed to get on the right train only 5 minutes from our hotel into Copenhagen. From there we caught a train to Aalborg, about 4.5 hours away. We didn't have reserved seats so every station we stopped at caused us anxiety. I was constantly worried that we wouldn't have seats and would be kicked off somewhere within Denmark. Luckily, and some how, we made it into Aalborg where we took a connecting train to Hjorring which took another hour. From Hjorring we caught another train to Hirstshals. We didn't know where to pay for this train ticket so we rode without one. Very risky business. Some where along the way I also noted that one of the wheels on my largest suit case had fallen off and that I had been dragging it. The bottom had been completely destroyed! No wonder it was so hard to pull! In Hirstshals we booked tickets on the Colorline ferry to Kristiansand Norway. They cost about $40. Hirstshals in a port city so there was no option but to have fish and fries for dinner. Not bad I must admit.
Finally, we were allowed to board the ship. Everyone was running and we didn't understand why. Soon we realized that seats needed to be reserved on the ship and that hardly anyone had reserved them...so we ended up sitting on the floor. There was also a tax free market onboard. It was nearly as crazy as Walmart on black Friday! The taxes in Norway are extremely high, therefore alcohol, smokes, and candy was extremely cheap. Too bad all I had was US dollars and Danish Kroner. We also had our first drink on the trip. No ID required. Even for Valerie! Velkommen to NORWAY! Drinks were on the house as a gift from Norway said the bar tender. Lets just say the rest of the trip was a hoot. haha
Pulling into Kristiansand was the most amazing feeling. The lights and ocean were breath taking. A sense of relief came over us. We were finally there! We docked at midnight on Friday. We were the first ones off of the ship. haha . As soona s we saw Malin we started screaming and ran across the street dropping all of our bags in the middle of the street. Everything was worth it at the moment. We hugged each other and walked back to the car. Valerie noticed Malin's Norwegian accent had returned. Hmm... I wonder why? All of our luggage some how fit in her car and we made the drive to her house. We stayed up until about 2 am catching up and taking everything in. All 3 of us slept especially well last night.