Its the last weekend here in Stockholm. We woke up early Saturday morning and took off to Central Station to get some ATM cash, bread rolls and a couple of cans of red bull. Our planned outting was to see the famous Sweden archipelago. Since we weren’t quite sure where the boat launched from and the exact times we decided to take a cab and not do the normal walk through town.

When we arrived the line to the outgoing trip to Voxholm was super long. This meant that we wouldn’t get very good seats on the ship. We decided to wait for the next one which would leave in half an hour. We were almost in front of the line this time. Once we boarded Lorraine snagged us a primo spot in the back of the ship. We were able to sit or stand during the whole ride to Voxholm, Lorraine soaked up the sun while I roasted!

The trip to Voxholm is like nothing we have ever done before. You are completely surrounded by islands. The archipelago consist of thousands of islands starting from the mainland Stockholm all the way out to the Baltic Sea. All along the way you see summer homes lining the islands buried within the plush green forest, its hard to imagine this place covered in snow.

Voxholm is a small community with an emphasis to catering to the sailing crowd and tourist. They have outdoor cafe’s stringing along the streets with a few stores selling goods for the locals. We walked up and down taking in the sights. I found the difference between walking in a city USA versus any other country is your senses are more alert to what is what. As an example, in the states you don’t think twice about going into a restroom. When you travel you can’t read the signs or symbols, you have to notice who just went in or came out and that’s after you figured out which door leads to the restroom or WC (water closet) as it’s called in Sweden.

After exploring the street we picked out one of the larger cafe’s. We got seating right next to the sidewalk, ringside seat for checking out the crowds. One novelty about the outdoor dining places your allowed to smoke. You can bet Lorraine enjoyed this, the shot below shows just how much… or rather how uncomfortable she is blowing smoke while people are still eating around her!

On the way back from Voxholm we hopped on another ship line. This time we stayed within the inside quarters as it was a little chilly due to the now overcast skies. Even this was a nice ride as we were a little fatigued from the day and being indoors on nice cushioned seats rocking away with the waves felt good. Nice way to end an excursion.

This shot was taken while leaving Stockholm and heading out towards the Baltic Sea.

Last week Lorraine had asked to go eat at TGIF’s. She had scouted the site while out on one of her many walking adventures. The restaurant is located right smack in the center of Stockholm. It’s a setting right out of the movies.

The shot below is the view we had while eathing dinner. The locals and tourist sit around the cement pond relaxing and eating ice cream.

This past week at work I had to go out and eat at a nearby mall since they had closed the cafeteria for their annual three week summer vacation. On this particular day my co-worker said let’s go try out Voxholm. The town approximately 20 minutes away by car. It’s a cool site since it has a fort that once protected the Stockholm waterways. It’s also a center for the jet set sailing crew, lot’s of outdoor cafe’s and restaurants.

The restaurant served us traditional seafood dishes such as pickled herring with two different sauces, caviar on a hardboiled egg, potatoes and the best part of all eel! Yeah! that’s right! I ate some slimy eel! It’s sort of hard to explain the texture but definitely not like fish, though the taste is definitely fishy.

Almost every day since my stay I’ve eaten something that has Swedish origins. I’d say I’m about 50/50. That means about half the stuff I eat I like, the other half I really didn’t like much. It turns out pouring on the sauce and gravy over you dish is normal. This is exactly opposite as to how I like my meals. Oh well, to learn the culture you need to live it.

Today we played tourist by taking the 24hr “hop on, hop off” boat. This boat takes you around different Stockholm highlight points. The idea is you can hop off any of these places and hop back on within 24 hours. Afterwards we had lunch at Cafe Nova, a nice restaraunt in Old Town. I had a nice ham and cheese sandwich with a slice of rasberry pie. Lorraine had a Chicken Salad with different vegetables mixed in.

Our next stop was the royal museum which used to be the home of the royal family. This was actually cooler than I thought it would be  As we walked along some of the areas of the it hit me that every one of the nobel prize winners actually had dinner in the very same room i was standing in. A lot of art dated back into the 1700’s, how cool was that.

After walking all day we headed back to the Sheraton but not before we picked up more waffle cream cheese crackers along with more red bull and water.

Today we went and shopped at place called “off the beaten path”. Lorraine had seen this place advertised on the hotel info channel. We took off this afternoon to the underground subways in search of the path.

The Path had locals selling their arts and crafts along with street vendors selling vintage and new clothing. It was definitely different, not as large as we thought it would be but fun none the less. Part of the fun for me is the actual act of exploring new places, trying to figure out where we are and where we need to go.

Just about an hour before sunset every day we see a parade of hot air balloons pass across our hotel window. They fly right over the main parts of the city. Wherever the winds may blow.

Growing up with the kids one of our favorite family past times is passing gas, yeah… that’s right. The ancient art of controlling a good tune, carrying a note to the end and ending with a “make-you-squint” odor.

Naturally when I passed by this sign it made me stop and laugh, damn near made me homesick. In any case it was enough for me to pull out my camera and take this photograph.

Since I’m being childish and gross… what do you when you go in the bathroom and take a dump? that’s right! you…. P-INFART. Bahahahahahahahahahahaaaa! Get it? Bahahahahaha!!!

It’s the 4th of July!
This was the first time for both Lorraine and I to be abroad during a major holiday. Back in the states, July 4th is a major holiday celebrating independence day. I find it ironic during my last visit to Sweden I was here during their celebration of independence day.

We took off early morning to catch one of those European double decker buses. Lorraine earlier had figured out the schedules and locations so off we went.

This particular bus took us all over the streets of Stockholm. All the major tourist sites as well as side roads lined with shops and cafe’s. Through out the whole tour, I didn’t even see not even one sign that it was 4th of July United States style, then again… why should there be.

This is the nicest facility I’ve been to yet, I’ve been to a lot of sites all over the world. The Sweden plant by far has the most impressive building and location.

I’m not sure how this area is during the Winter but in June and July this place is amazing. I’m standing out front near the parking lot. Almost every viewing angle you see trees or pastures.

Trial Run…

Actually this was a trial run that Lorraine and I did the Sunday before I had to show up for work. To get to and from work I leave the Sheraton, head down to the underground subway system (Central Station) head out to Northern part of Stockholm, get off and catch a 35 minute train ride to the town of Taby. Walk approximate 3/4 of a mile along this path I dubbed the “enchanted” forest.

We both explored deep into the enchanted forest when I first had the urge to relieve myself, seeing me coming out of the forest smiling, Lorraine went in for a turn.

I probably would have not gone in if I would have known snakes were about. As we were walking along Lorraine grabs my backpack and steers me toward a huge monstrous serpent. Good thing it crawled into the foliage or it would have been a goner! (alright…the snake was about 9 inches long)

Came home from my first visit to Sweden and now I’m back again. This trip will be for 3 weeks instead of the 10 days I spent here the last time. Lorraine is traveling with me and will be staying the full 3 weeks. She’s going to have her own personal blog up and running soon so I won’t include her travel thoughts here, just mine.

Its early in the morning (close to 3 am) and the sun is already starting to rise. During this time of the year you get close to 20 hours of light.

The photo above was taken from our hotel room (Sheraton Stockholm, Towers) window. We have an awesome view of the river across the way. The street below is lined up with the classic cafe’s and store selling artwork. The window is built so that you can stick your body completely out, no screen or bar protection you find in most hotels.