Jun 8 Stockholm, Sweden

 Jun 8  Stockholm, Sweden

This morning, my scratchy throat has turned into a cold!  So I took out my little pharmacy and have doubled up on the Cold FX, gargling with salt water, and have the cough drops at the ready.  Hopefully it will be short- lived!

This port is the one I am most excited to see!  When Con and I were here almost 15 years ago we stayed on the ship and therefore missed one of the most famous sites in the city, the Vasa Museum!

I have been awake since about 3:30 AM catching glimpses of the passing view as we sail up a long bay? channel? weaving our way through the islands towards Stockholm.  It is like cruising in Georgian Bay - trees, cottages, small boats!  The water is a smooth as glass.

This is a view from the ship’s webcam - 

Our tour took us through the city, made up of several islands ( giving Stockholm the moniker ‘Venice of the North’. ).  These Scandinavian capitol cities all have a similar look in terms of the old architecture.

We passed by museums, art galleries, the Royal Palace, and of course, many harbours.

The Vasa Museum houses the wooden Swedish war ship that sank on its maiden voyage.   After more than 300 years at the bottom of the harbour it was put on a series of cables and raised to the surface!  An astounding feat!

 

Here she is!

The stern of the ship with its ornate carvings.

                                        One of the carvings

 

                           A model of the Vasa

Following our stop at the museum we set out for the oldest town in Sweden, Sigtuna, founded in 980.  This part of the tour involved walking over gravel pathways - not really conducive to walkers - so my photos are limited.  The link above has more photos and information if you are interested.  Mary will post her photos on Facebook.

                                               

                     

St Olaf’s Church dating back to the 12th Century

St Mary’s, the first known brick church built by the Dominican Monks in the 13th Century.

 

                                  The smallest Town Hall in Sweden

We returned to the ship for a little nap before dinner!  We chose Roasted Chicken Breast for Mary and Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding for Dorothy.  Mary had the Loveboat Dream (another chocolate creation) and Dorothy ordered Chocolate Crepes with Vanilla Ice Cream. 

On to the show!  Mikey Voltano was a performer we had seen on our Australian cruise and he was even worse than I remembered!  I’m sure more than 50% of the 45 minute show was him talking, rather than singing!  I could hardly wait to get back to our cabin and go to bed!

The days are passing quickly now!  Tomorrow we’ll be in Visby!

Until then…..

Two Weary Travellers

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