Stockholm

Ted. I’m not sure that I had ever met a Swede before we welcomed a young Servas traveller to our home around 2016 (back when we still had a home). Mikaela was traveling around the world at the time and we found her to be quite adventurous and charming. It was only natural that we had a rendezvous with her when we visited New Zealand the following year and then met her parents, Björn and Malou in France in 2018. We accepted their offer to visit them in Sweden in 2020 but those plans were scrubbed by the pandemic. 

So, after passing yet another covid test, we finally boarded a half empty Scandinavian Airlines plane in Paris and soon landed at Stockholm Arlanda airport to be greeted by Mikaela and her Dad. The airport itself was the first clue that we had arrived in a different part of Europe. Absolutely spotless, the concourse was a marvel of glass and polished wood with high backed upholstered seating at the gates. 

These kind folks organized a great plan for our eight-day visit. We found time for museum visits, long walks and relaxing meals. Every public building and home has exhibited comfort, taste and an understated classiness.  The weather turned out to be great as well; one day of mist and then a run of mid 70’s and sunshine.

Judy & Mikaela exploring Stockholm

One of our first stops was the Vasa Museum. The Vasa was an ill-fated warship built by the Swedish navy in 1628. On its maiden voyage, the top heavy vessel raised its sails in the harbor, traveled less than a mile and then flipped over. It rested peacefully in the protection of cold mud for 330 years until it was carefully raised in the 1960's, virtually intact. The museum has a lot of information about Sweden and naval warfare in the 17th century but pride of place rightfully focuses on this magnificent ship that is 95% original. More information can be found on this archaeological gem at Wikipedia.

Scale model showing original colors

The real McCoy, 226 ft (69 m) long

Nearly 500 wooden sculptures

A 17th century Death Star