sweet sweet Sweden

back on a plane

And so started our travels again. First stop Stockholm in Sweden. We were greeted at Karlaplan metro station (at the top of the ‘rolling stairs’) by beautiful Swedish/Estonian Marianne, who we met over 7 years ago in Australia at Eesti Päevad. She had got into contact with us when she heard we were coming to Europe and asked if we would like to stay at her place in Stockholm. Even though it had been many years since we first met, it was like we’d been friends for years! But what was scary was Leah and Marianne have some very similar characteristics like over talking, talking fast, leaving cupboards open and changing subjects mid sentence. Lucky for me I had a lot of practice dealing with Leah and got to remind both of them where they were up to during conversation.

Stockholm at night

Marianne and Leah same pose from all those years ago

back in 2006

chilling

After Marianne cooked us a lovely dinner in the apartment, we walked around some of the beautiful streets and bridges linking the many little islands of Stockholm together. The next day we ventured out by ourselves (Marianne had work). We caught ferries, metro and a bus all around with our 3 day ticket. By far the most interesting stop off was the Vasa museum containing the Vasa ship itself! The Vasa was a war ship that sunk in 1674 making it over 300 years old. Because it was preserved in clay and optimal water conditions, it was still in amazing condition when it was recovered in the 50’s. The ships story was really interesting, with detailed displays of its construction, maiden voyage (it only sailed 1.5km), sinking, time under water, finding and recovery to eventually being restored and now the efforts to slow the deterioration process.

the Vasa

The Vasa museum

Leah on a replica of the crows nest

Me, Leah and Marianne enjoying the sun

thinnest street in all of Copenhagen

The next day we met up with Marianne to see some of Gamla Stan (old town, that sounds like Gangnam style). The streets of old town were very busy in the sunny weather. Dodging tour groups is going to be fun this summer! A lot was going on around the Royal palace because Sweden’s national day was the next day and they were also going to have a royal wedding that weekend. We caught the changing of the guards with probably a thousand other tourists and lots of pushy Asians. It’s a tradition that happens every day and has since the 1400’s!!!

Changing of the guards

near the royal palace

The last morning we got out in the sun and went for a run as part of Leah’s new plan to go for a run in every country. A beautiful sunny jog through green leafy tracks near the water really made us feel better after eating and drinking too much in Estonia. Massive thanks to Marianne, who we are hopefully meeting up with in Estonia in November. Now back to train travel to our next destination Copenhagen.

morning run