After breakfast this morning we checked out of the lovely Hotel Skeppsholmen and ordered a taxi for the railway station. We have decided to take the train rather than plane between Stockholm and Göteborg (Gothenburg) so that we have a chance to see some of the countryside. It seems to be quite a big deal to rent a car anywhere in Scandinavia if you want to return the car to a different destination from where you hired it.
Travelling to Göteborg from Stockholm,we saw a few different kinds of landscapes.
On our way from the east coast, we enjoy approximately 4 hours of lakes and forests, Swedish small towns and farmlands hastily completing harvesting and tilling before the colder weather sets in.
We watch the weather close in, pass through a few showers and gloomily watch the dropping temperature. As we get closer, however, the wind is pushing the clouds quickly past and by the time our journey is over, the rain has cleared.
We pass by a bison farm - yes, bison! Between Skövde and Göteborg we pass by Bisonfarmen i Gate. This farm in West Gotaland, (Sweden) has a herd of American bison imported from the U.S. in 2004. Today there are about 125 animals in the herd. They can be seen on guided tours with tractor and prairie wagon. The Farm is located near the Forest of Hökensås. Bison Farm at Gate has 138 acres of pasture divided into seven enclosures. The animals are moved from enclosure to enclosure to meet the needs of new grass. In the wintertime, the animals are fed with hay. At the farm breeding and meat production are the main activities.
Approaching Gothenburg, we pass the two lakes Aspen and Mjörn. They are much larger with lots of small boats anchored around their shores – and are very close to the train tracks!
We also pass a Volvo factory!
Donna reckons that the carpet is a sign that we are in the right place. The room is certainly rather luxe. Very nice. Toochilly to go out in the night air, but we will head out nice and early tomorrow to the Haga area - one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Göteborg.
Yesterday allowed us to fully re-charge. A day filled with rest and recovery (although Donna who is not used to sitting still for so long felt it). We spent a few hours having a look at what there is to see and do in Stockholm and finding accommodation.
Everything in Scandinavia is far more expensive than any other place we have travelled, so accommodation doesn't come cheap. Since we are paying a premium, it might as well be somewhere nice, and central to everything.
So this morning we headed back from the Raddison to the Stockholm Airport on the free connection bus because this is the easiest way to connect with the public transport system into the centre of Stockholm. The express train in to Stockholm City is not included in the public transport and at AUD$50 per person, we don't hink it is cheap. But with the journey cut to 20 minutes as the speed gets up to 190 kph - couldn't quite catch it as the monitor kept changing.
highlighted!
At the main station, we go down to the metro station and get a 72 hour all-public-transport pass for the same price as our trip this morning AUD$50 each. Now, we are set. We know that there is no transport right to the door of our hotel today, so succumb and take a taxi so we can divest ourselves of our luggage. The taxi driver complains of the amount of roadworks, but we assure him that there is no more than most other cities. He moans about the Green Party, who hold the balance of power and are influencing the investment in environmentally friendly transport modes that will restrict vehicles in part of the City. Sorry, just can't agree with him. It was nice to get a couple of photos of the inner city as we were driving to the hotel. I hope to get clearer shots over the next couple of days.
We finally reach the hotel where we will spend the next couple of days - the stunning Hotel Skeppsholem set just up from the waterfront on the island of Skeppsholem. The Hotel has a long and colourful history. Originally built in 1699-1702 with the purpose of housing the Royal Marines of Karl XII. Since Sweden’s financial situation of the time was poor, most of the building material came from ruined castles on the countryside. The buildings, known to locals as “The Long Row”, was never used for the soldiers as intended, as most of them never made it home from the wars. They were therefore left uninhabited until 1710, when the city started using them as a hospice for poor people infected with the plague.
Years later after renovation, the buildings became offices and storehouses for the Navy, and also housing for military employees. The Martial Court was accommodated here too. In the 1900’s most of the space was turned into apartments for Navy staff, mostly officers and their families, and in the 2000’s it was once again adapted to be used as administrative offices. It is fascinating and lovely. We arrive in the sunshine with lots of people sitting in the garden.
Our room is not yet ready, but that is okay as the hotel will gladly hold our luggage. So off we head down the path and then out along the quayside walkway to the ferry terminal. We are off to see the ABBA museum that I had booked tickets for while we travelled in to the City on the train this morning.
So, one cannot come to Stockholm and NOT go to the ABBA museum. Not sure where to start.
For those who know me, I am an ABBA tragic from way back. I'll never forget the day when a teenage Gen was horrified when she found me singing to Fernando in one of the band's later incarnations. She didn't know at that time that the band was universal and timeless!
Because we have pre-purchased our tickets, we can skip the line at the door and waltz straight on in.
We end up spending more than 4 hours here. It is filled with the stories and memorabilia of the individuals and their personal lives before,during and after the ABBA phenomena, the band and their hits and tours, the stage play and the two movies. It included interactive sections where you could try mixing the songs, auditioning for a supposed opportunity - and no, I am NOT putting that up here, nor the photo shoot of me as the various band members - suffice to say those are the pics that horror movies are based upon!
There is nothing that is not covered.
The costumes, the props, the newsreels, the platinum records - everything. From the foursome's childhoods to the current day.
It is a wonderful tribute that allows so many people to re-live their teen years. And the story of the Australian link to their fame is well
So as the day is drawing to a close, and the weather starting to chill for the night, we head back across the bay to our island and our hotel.
Dinner is served until 10 pm, but with a full hotel, the best we can manage is 6:45 pm. So we take it. The restaurant here not only services the hotel, but locals also, and is very well known here. Restaurant Långa Raden caters to discerning diners (and the bus tour groups lodging here). The food is typically Swedish with a modern twist. Donna and I decide that we can only do two courses and opt for a main and dessert. The food is fabulous.
Mains - Donna
Hängmörad svensk ryggbiff med kryddsmör,
tomatsallad och rödvinssky
Dry aged Swedish sirloin steak, spice butter,
tomato salad and red wine jus
Maria
Köttbullar med potatispuré, pressgurka,
lingon och gräddsås
Meatballs with potato purée, pickled cucumber and
lingon berries and cream sauce
Desserts - Donna
Hallonyoghurtglass med kolabrownie och
maränger
Raspberry and yoghurt ice cream, caramell brownie and
meringues
Maria
Vit chokladpastej med citrusmarinerade
jordgubbar och smultronsorbet
White chocolate cake with lemon marinated strawberries
and wild strawberry sorbet
Those desserts were 'died and gone to heaven delicious'!
Back in the room as we are putting our gear away, Donna comes across the purchases that you can make on the room menu - the smalls you might have forgotten - socks, jocks, nickers and tights (small to extra large- one in each size) - now THAT is class!!
Donna then did a Michael and went out to take some night shots - we will share them tomorrow.
Tomorrow we are heading into the Old Town.
After breakfast this morning we checked out of the lovely Hotel Skeppsholmen and ordered a taxi for the railway station. We have decided to take the train rather than plane between Stockholm and Göteborg (Gothenburg) so that we have a chance to see some of the countryside. It seems to be quite a big deal to rent a car anywhere in Scandinavia if you want to return the car to a different destination from where you hired it.
We watch the weather close in, pass through a few showers and gloomily watch the dropping temperature. As we get closer, however, the wind is pushing the clouds quickly past and by the time our journey is over, the rain has cleared.
We pass by a bison farm - yes, bison! Between Skövde and Göteborg we pass by Bisonfarmen i Gate. This farm in West Gotaland, (Sweden) has a herd of American bison imported from the U.S. in 2004. Today there are about 125 animals in the herd. They can be seen on guided tours with tractor and prairie wagon. The Farm is located near the Forest of Hökensås. Bison Farm at Gate has 138 acres of pasture divided into seven enclosures. The animals are moved from enclosure to enclosure to meet the needs of new grass. In the wintertime, the animals are fed with hay. At the farm breeding and meat production are the main activities.
