Stockholm
May 2006

The actual destination of the SSB-trip was Scandinavia. My first journey to one these countries. Unfortunately the weather did not wasn't that sunny and clear as we expected on our trip. But that is probably the risk in the northern countries.

The old town is lovely situated on four small islands. It is quasi a city in the sea. You'll need two days to explore this small city, but those are very varied days. The old town consists of many narrow lanes and oyou feel like being in the last century. Small cafes invite to staying and the view of the boats is amazing. A beer in Gamla Stan, the old town, is expensive, but therefore museums and other costs are affordable. We discovered the Svenska Akademie (There the Nobel Price is assigned annually),  explored the palace (more than 600 rooms) and the Stadshuset (city hall). To make it simple: The city has the flair of past days.

On the only sunny day we did a boat trip in the archipels. We passed the fortress Vaxholm and many unnamed, small, somtimes housed islands went to the green and beautiful island Grinda. Fantastically! When you know Astrid Lindgren: Holidays on Saltkrokan. Thus it looked here. We crossed the small island and enjoyed lunch time with a view on the sea. Red houses and juicy meadows, Sweden from the picture book.

Am absolutely must is the visit of the "Vasa" museum. This warship sank 1628 during its maiden voyage after only  1,6km. They had wrongly calculated the stability of this ship with two decks of cannons. After 333 years, they saved the Vasa again from the sea-bottom. Absolutely impressing - the ship lights up in its old gloss. Hard to believe, that this is all original. Owing to the many exhibits one can spend hours in the museum, without becoming boring.

Certainly we tested the night life of Stockholm as well. Many bars have a disco in the cellar. Before 11pm it costs no entrance-fee, afterwards the guests are standing in a lane to get in. Anyway, they know how to celebrate :-)

That was not the last trip to Sweden. The people are friendly and the country is inviting. Scandinavia is wonderful - And the next time, we hopefully will have a few degrees more and aome more sunny moments!

Hej dċ!

Storkyrka	...in front of Skeppsholmen	Houses at Stortorget
The ship "Vasa"	Absolut Ica-Bar	Changing of the guards at Royal Palace
The archipels	The archipel Grinda	An Elk
View from the tower of Stadshuset

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