The next morning, we flew from Tallinn to Stockholm, Sweden. We headed for the Arlanda Express train. In the elevator, a man collecting cans told us we must be rich because we were taking the fast train into the city. It was less than $20/person. We told him if we were rich, we would have had our car and chauffeur waiting. We got checked in and ended up at Dirty Cocos to get something to eat. Will didn’t seem to be too comfortable amongst all the pink, but the food was very tasty.
We walked a bit and found our way to one of the stages for the Cultural Festival. Who know maybe Elliott and his band will make it one day. At this time most of their fans seemed to family and these young girls.
We set out fairly early the next morning to the Vasa Museum.
The Vasa was a 17th century ship that sank during its maiden voyage on August 10, 1624, about 100m from the shore. It sank about 300m down; until it was found again in the 1950’s. They were able to recover the ship and restore it. The Vasa is about 98% original. The ship is 4 stores tall and is truly a site to see. Don’t miss this museum if you’re ever in Stockholm. And go early, this place gets crowded quickly.
We walked over to the ABBA museum. The most famous musical group to come out of Sweden. Since it was a Saturday, they were booking timed entry tickets quickly. Got our tickets and had about an hour in between. So, we went to the Swedish Spirits Museum. This museum talks about the drinking customs and history of alcohol and drinking in Sweden. We thought the True Crime exhibit was the most interesting. That exhibit talked about Prohibition in Sweden in the 1920’s. Other than that, not too much of interest.
The ABBA Museum was fun but crowded. They have a number of exhibits about the history of the group and a number of interactive exhibits as well.
Jumped on the ferry from there to the Gamla stan (Old Town) area. The city of Stockholm is comprised of a number of islands. So, bridges and ferries are the way to get from place to place.
Grabbed a bite to eat. I had the deer which was quite good.
We then went to the Nobel prize museum. This was another museum; I could have skipped. It seemed to be more of a collection of personal items given to the museum from Nobel Prize Winners. Didn’t feel there was enough information on what they won the Nobel for and why. Okay, and maybe some things where way above my head and would have made total sense to a Chemistry or Physics major.
Wandered over to the King’s garden where they had additional stages set up for the Cultural festival. Everyone was enjoying the beautiful weather and festive atmosphere.
Later Will and I went back out and found Stockholm’s narrowest alley. And then a weird statue on the face of a building (Cuckold of Skeppsbron). It’s the tortured face of a man overlooking the lady bits of his unfaithful wife. When it rains, the water drips from the face as tears.
