Beautiful Archipelicol
Bill was up early today hanging out with Ric topside as we passed thru the archipelago - a set of islands in Stockholm with amazing beauty. In fact, this area is made up of 30, 000 islands. Stockholm has approximately 9 million inhabitants and one million boats and sits on 14 islands. Approximately 40% of the islands are inhabited year round while others are getaways. There is a ferry service to several while others must have a boat for access.
Once again, Carla was our hero as she booked an expert guide for the day - Carina - who met us ship side. She was a delight and all of us could not have been more pleased. Thank you Carla for taking good care of us. Since we only had the van for half day, we did a windshield tour stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. By far, this is a beautiful city surrounded by water and mountains. BTW, Vicki has been a real trooper even with her knee troubles.
Since we only had the van for half day, we did a windshield tour stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. By far, this is a beautiful city surrounded by water and mountains. BTW, Vicki has been a real trooper even with her knee troubles.
Carina asked us if we'd like to take a ride out of town to see how those with homes and gardens live and invited us to see her home. We said we'd love to see her home. Because this was spontaneous, she apologized in advance saying this was an un-scheduled stop. Her hospitality, kindness and charm was a highlight of the day. She said since this was spur of the moment, things may not be in perfect condition as she has two young children who left for school earlier this morning. She had homemade cinnamon rolls she made last Sunday in the freezer so she put them in the oven when we arrived as a pastry treat.
Her house was built in 1923 and was in great shape as was her yard (here they call a yard a garden). They also had a small guest house in the back with two twin beds. After showing us around inside, looking at family pictures and discussing life in Stockholm, we spent some time out front enjoying the rolls she baked for us. As Carla says, "that's why we don't take the bus"! Private tour cost more but they are worth every penny.
Our next stop was Drottningholm Palace, home of the Swedish family since 1981 and is one of Sweden's finest baroque buildings. It was built in 1665 and the gardens were modeled after Versailles. The rooms were nice and yet not overstated like those of Russia. That's because the Swede's are a little more reserved. In fact, the King and family often attend events with the locals and are well liked.
From the Palace, we walked down the hill a few hundred yards and got lunch at a small restaurant/cafe. We enjoyed our lunch sitting outside, facing the lake in front of the Palace on another beautiful aftetnoon. After lunch, we boarded a small boat and cruised across the lake for 40-minutes to our next stop.
Once we disembarked in downtown Stockholm, we toured the Royal Ship Vasa. This ship (which looks like a pirates ship) set sail on its maiden voyage in 1628 and keeled over and sank within a few minutes after it left the docks while hundreds watched. It was a good thing the designer died before it set sail as we're sure the King would have had him be-headed.
In 1961 the ship was found and salvaged and has become a global attraction and is the only vessel from the 1600's of its kind in the world. It is housed in its own museum here in Stockholm. When we first saw it, we all were stunned to see its orginal condition and size. Because of the brackish water it settled in and the hard wood it was built with, conditions were such that it remained nearly intact since it sunk over 300 years ago.
Our first day Stockholm was fantastic, having the opportunity to see how some Swede's live and seeing this unbelievable ship. Can't wait for day two.
Once again, Carla was our hero as she booked an expert guide for the day - Carina - who met us ship side. She was a delight and all of us could not have been more pleased. Thank you Carla for taking good care of us. Since we only had the van for half day, we did a windshield tour stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. By far, this is a beautiful city surrounded by water and mountains. BTW, Vicki has been a real trooper even with her knee troubles.
Since we only had the van for half day, we did a windshield tour stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. By far, this is a beautiful city surrounded by water and mountains. BTW, Vicki has been a real trooper even with her knee troubles.
Her house was built in 1923 and was in great shape as was her yard (here they call a yard a garden). They also had a small guest house in the back with two twin beds. After showing us around inside, looking at family pictures and discussing life in Stockholm, we spent some time out front enjoying the rolls she baked for us. As Carla says, "that's why we don't take the bus"! Private tour cost more but they are worth every penny.
Our next stop was Drottningholm Palace, home of the Swedish family since 1981 and is one of Sweden's finest baroque buildings. It was built in 1665 and the gardens were modeled after Versailles. The rooms were nice and yet not overstated like those of Russia. That's because the Swede's are a little more reserved. In fact, the King and family often attend events with the locals and are well liked.
From the Palace, we walked down the hill a few hundred yards and got lunch at a small restaurant/cafe. We enjoyed our lunch sitting outside, facing the lake in front of the Palace on another beautiful aftetnoon. After lunch, we boarded a small boat and cruised across the lake for 40-minutes to our next stop.
Once we disembarked in downtown Stockholm, we toured the Royal Ship Vasa. This ship (which looks like a pirates ship) set sail on its maiden voyage in 1628 and keeled over and sank within a few minutes after it left the docks while hundreds watched. It was a good thing the designer died before it set sail as we're sure the King would have had him be-headed.
In 1961 the ship was found and salvaged and has become a global attraction and is the only vessel from the 1600's of its kind in the world. It is housed in its own museum here in Stockholm. When we first saw it, we all were stunned to see its orginal condition and size. Because of the brackish water it settled in and the hard wood it was built with, conditions were such that it remained nearly intact since it sunk over 300 years ago.
Our first day Stockholm was fantastic, having the opportunity to see how some Swede's live and seeing this unbelievable ship. Can't wait for day two.
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