Before I share today’s journey, I have to touch on our packing situation. I travel quite a bit for work. I have it down to a science, only packing essentials, extending outfits with minimal items, and almost always fitting everything into a carry-on roller board. Checking a bag when you are a business traveler is considered a rookie move. So why, oh why, do I lose my ever-loving-mind when packing for leisure?? We have enough clothes to last us three weeks!
Today’s itinerary began with a walk to the edge of Gamla Stan by the Slussen (the locks between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren), to catch a ferry across to Djurgården. We were blessed with another lovely, blue sky day and warming temps.
First stop was the Vasa Museet – which contains the world’s largest and best-preserved wooden sailing ship. The ship sank in Stockholm’s harbor on its maiden voyage in 1628. After 333 years under water, it was brought to the surface in 1961. The reconstructed vessel is 98% original and is magnificently adorned with hundreds of carved sculptures.
The ship was constructed under the orders of King Gustavus Adolphus, whose stubborn demands to build the ship tall (172 ft.), and very narrow, led to serious design flaws and caused it to be unstable. Just 45 minutes into her maiden voyage, she listed back and forth and sank! Can you imagine the spectators watching from the shores? It must have been both tragic and comical at the same time!
After our visit, we met up with my college BFF, Nan, and her husband, Jeff, who happened to be in Stockholm on a stop from their Baltic cruise! Crazy, insane timing worked in our favor, and we had an afternoon lunch at this little outdoor cafe, Josefina, filled with great food, great wine, and even better company of friends. If laughter is indeed good for the soul, then our souls are healthier after today!
We said our goodbyes to Nan & Jeff, then walked to Skansen, an outdoor museum that depicts the life of the Swedish people and their cultures and crafts for hundreds of years. Centuries-old original buildings from around Sweden have been brought and are on display in Skansen. This was listed second only to Vasa in most guidebooks as a “must-see.” While we enjoyed our stroll through the outdoor park, let’s just say the vernacular ride to the top was the highlight. If you are headed to Sweden anytime soon, I would skip this and opt instead for the ABBA or Spiritmuseum!
An evening meal of traditional Swedish meatballs, complete with lingonberries and pickled cucumbers rounded out a lovely day two in this beautiful city!
Godnatt!
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