Twenty-four hours of travelling (including several hours at Dubai) gave us plenty of time for people watching along the way which I always enjoy. Interesting that those under 40 almost entirely spent their time looking at their mobile phones, whilst we oldies read magazines, actual books - and chatted with our neighbours.
On our flight from Dubai to Stockholm, one of the male flight attendants made me take a second look. (No, I'm not - as you must be thinking - having immoral thoughts in my old age). This flight attendant had the same thin build, haircut and facial features with the slightly disapproving expression of one of the characters from 'The Big Bang Theory'. When handed my drink, I actually almost replied "Thank you, Sheldon". You meet all sorts.
Finally, we arrived in Stockholm around midday with a temperature of around 10C and an extremely chilly wind. Thankfully we've packed for cold weather. We realised, soon, that hours of daylight are very much reduced at this time of the year, and after checking into our hotel, had only an hour walking around the nearby streets before the light began to fade. Back in our room with the television on, we were surprised to see episodes of the Australian Highway Patrol filmed close to where we live at home.
An early dinner (Swedish meatballs in a creamy sauce with mash, pickled cucumbers and lingonberries - delicious), before these two travel shattered oldies had a very early night.
Only two full days in Stockholm and we began with hopping on one of those big red busses which meanders all around the major sights of the city and hopping off at the Museum which houses the restored 'Vasa' ship. This was a just-built 17th century royal battleship which on the day it was launched in 1628 to much fanfare floated for only 20 minutes before keeling over and sinking. It was finally raised from the depths in the 1960s and when we first saw it in 1973, it was still very much a wreck undergoing massive treatment prior to restoration. Now it looks almost complete and is quite a sight to see. Many of the artifacts found in the ship are on display and much research has been done on the lives of the officers and sailors on board and it is all so fascinating.
On our last day we began with a long meander through Gamla Stan (the old, original part of Stockholm). Narrow, cobbled streets with beautiful ancient houses and business premises shoulder-to-shoulder along them. Some had the most interesting doorways and some houses still have their ancient fittings like window shutters and all expertly maintained. It was a delightful morning.
Next we continued on to the Nordiska Museum built in 1907 which tells the story of Nordic lifestyle and traditions from the 16th century onward, through furniture and interiors, fashion and jewellery, glass, porcelain and craftwork. There is also an exhibition focusing on the only indigenous people in the Nordics - the Sami. It was well worth the visit.
We have really enjoyed our short stay in Stockholm - the city old and new, the friendly people and the lovely food. Whilst here I have been re-reading 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' and although I did not meet Mikael Blomkvist or Lisbeth Salander (!), I loved seeing the actual setting of the Millenium series of Scandi thrillers.
Tomorrow we travel by high speed train to Oslo to continue our trip.
On our flight from Dubai to Stockholm, one of the male flight attendants made me take a second look. (No, I'm not - as you must be thinking - having immoral thoughts in my old age). This flight attendant had the same thin build, haircut and facial features with the slightly disapproving expression of one of the characters from 'The Big Bang Theory'. When handed my drink, I actually almost replied "Thank you, Sheldon". You meet all sorts.
Finally, we arrived in Stockholm around midday with a temperature of around 10C and an extremely chilly wind. Thankfully we've packed for cold weather. We realised, soon, that hours of daylight are very much reduced at this time of the year, and after checking into our hotel, had only an hour walking around the nearby streets before the light began to fade. Back in our room with the television on, we were surprised to see episodes of the Australian Highway Patrol filmed close to where we live at home.
An early dinner (Swedish meatballs in a creamy sauce with mash, pickled cucumbers and lingonberries - delicious), before these two travel shattered oldies had a very early night.
Only two full days in Stockholm and we began with hopping on one of those big red busses which meanders all around the major sights of the city and hopping off at the Museum which houses the restored 'Vasa' ship. This was a just-built 17th century royal battleship which on the day it was launched in 1628 to much fanfare floated for only 20 minutes before keeling over and sinking. It was finally raised from the depths in the 1960s and when we first saw it in 1973, it was still very much a wreck undergoing massive treatment prior to restoration. Now it looks almost complete and is quite a sight to see. Many of the artifacts found in the ship are on display and much research has been done on the lives of the officers and sailors on board and it is all so fascinating.
On our last day we began with a long meander through Gamla Stan (the old, original part of Stockholm). Narrow, cobbled streets with beautiful ancient houses and business premises shoulder-to-shoulder along them. Some had the most interesting doorways and some houses still have their ancient fittings like window shutters and all expertly maintained. It was a delightful morning.
Next we continued on to the Nordiska Museum built in 1907 which tells the story of Nordic lifestyle and traditions from the 16th century onward, through furniture and interiors, fashion and jewellery, glass, porcelain and craftwork. There is also an exhibition focusing on the only indigenous people in the Nordics - the Sami. It was well worth the visit.
We have really enjoyed our short stay in Stockholm - the city old and new, the friendly people and the lovely food. Whilst here I have been re-reading 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' and although I did not meet Mikael Blomkvist or Lisbeth Salander (!), I loved seeing the actual setting of the Millenium series of Scandi thrillers.
Tomorrow we travel by high speed train to Oslo to continue our trip.
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