Boats, boats, boats.
When I returned to Stockholm after holidaying en France, Rich came with me. I invited him, he didn't just happen to tag along. So for a week we did that that fun thing where you get to be a tourist in your own city. Which, when it's summer and the city is Stockholm, means boats.
Boat the first: the Djurgården ferry to Djurgården (unsurprisingly), to laze about at Rosendals slott and play cards. And then back to Slussen to have a BBQ at Herman's for dinner. Anyone coming to visit me - we will be going to Herman's. It's the greatest.
Boat the second: a big fast waxholmanolaget boat out to the archipelago. Warning to other Stockholm travelers; the archipelago timetable is sort of there as a guideline. Boats typically leave whenever they feel like it, which often means early. Despite missing an early departing boat and ending up very hot and discomknockerated on the next one we made it out to Gällnö, in the east of the archipelago. Gällnö would be quite perfect, but for one thing. Mosquitos seem to quite like it too. It's warm and forested and surrounded by water. Turns out, we were a welcome snack. I was still recovering from the mozzie-mauling a week later. Other than that, it's a tiny delight, and a good spot for an onion pie, a gin and tonic and some boat envy.
When I returned to Stockholm after holidaying en France, Rich came with me. I invited him, he didn't just happen to tag along. So for a week we did that that fun thing where you get to be a tourist in your own city. Which, when it's summer and the city is Stockholm, means boats.
Boat the first: the Djurgården ferry to Djurgården (unsurprisingly), to laze about at Rosendals slott and play cards. And then back to Slussen to have a BBQ at Herman's for dinner. Anyone coming to visit me - we will be going to Herman's. It's the greatest.
Boat the second: a big fast waxholmanolaget boat out to the archipelago. Warning to other Stockholm travelers; the archipelago timetable is sort of there as a guideline. Boats typically leave whenever they feel like it, which often means early. Despite missing an early departing boat and ending up very hot and discomknockerated on the next one we made it out to Gällnö, in the east of the archipelago. Gällnö would be quite perfect, but for one thing. Mosquitos seem to quite like it too. It's warm and forested and surrounded by water. Turns out, we were a welcome snack. I was still recovering from the mozzie-mauling a week later. Other than that, it's a tiny delight, and a good spot for an onion pie, a gin and tonic and some boat envy.
Boat the third: a row boat! We rowed from Gällnö to the neighboring island! It was so 'Swallows and Amazons' and intrepid. (It really wasn't that far, I was just over excited.) Sadly, Vambö is even more of a mozzie haven, so we didn't stay long. Despite an abundance of intriguing turds. Cows, or moose?! We will never know.
On Thursday we took a well earned break from seafaring for some highly successful vintage shopping. And then, on to...
Boat the fifth: canoeing in the city centre. It's possible to hire kayaks and canoes near KI, and kayak right round one of the city islands - if you are fast enough to get back within your hire time.Which I haven't been yet. But we did manage to canoe right down to the City Hall, where you pop out from under a bridge and find yourself in the Baltic looking at Gamla Stan. The waves are somewhat unnerving, but the view makes up for it.
As a boat detour that same day we went for a walk and discovered a bridge with a padlock shrine. Well, Rich knew about it already, so it wasn't so much by chance, but it certainly is intriguing. They are all chained to the middle of the bridge, and have initials scratched into them.
Boat the sixth and last: over to Birka - Viking Island. On the final day of holiday we went all out touristing and took the boat to Birka Island. Our tour guide was an actual Viking! Except that his Dad kept calling him on his mobile, which rather spoilt the illusion of all the Viking clothing and long hair.
 |
| On the boat, in an outfit that resulted from the highly successful vintage shopping trip! |
 |
| This is a model Viking village, not a GIANT GIRL in the background. |
 |
| Beautiful lunch spot. |
 |
| Viking boats |
Many and varied boats make for a good holiday! Plus, I get the impression that in the winter they are not so feasible as a method of travel, what with all the water being solid, so it's good to get as much boating in as possible.
That's all for now chums, hope you are enjoying your weekends,
Byeloveyoubye!
x
No comments:
Post a Comment