Travel // Going Around // Europe // Stockholm, Sweden
After hours (approximately 4 hours) of endless turns along narrow and winding waterways and passing several wooded islands, here comes Sweden’s capital the hidden city of Stockholm welcoming Black Watch in full summer blast. I was wondering how Stockholm – located miles into narrow and winding waterways - became a major seaport. Obviously my question is ‘senseless’ knowing that for centuries, Stockholm is already inhabited and an important commercial seaport.
Royal Dramatic Theater. Photo taken on July 4, 2010
I was so fascinated viewing Stockholm’s green scenery during the ship’s passage inbound to the port of Stockholm yesterday. Navigating along the narrow waterways allowing us to enjoy a close-up view of colorful houses on its many small islands reminded me of the city of Venice. But instead of those colorful villas clustered side by side dotting the islets in Venice, loosely spread typical Swedish farm houses stands on densely forested islets - a totally very impressive countryside landscape of highly urbanized Stockholm. Viewing this scenery from the ship, it would appear as if the ship had lost its track from the open seas and wandering to seclusion into the woods.
One of the many islets along the narrow waterways to Stockholm. Photo taken on July 4, 2010
The ship passed very close to the island of Vaxholm, the island where ABBA members Bjorn and Benny had spent time writing some of their songs. I should have taken photos of that island but the Swedish pilot navigating the ship was too late to mention that interesting fact to us. But I still have this photo above, Vaxholm’s neighboring islet – a perfect getaway to get rid from the bustle and hustle city milieu.
Old square in Gamla Stan. Photo taken on July 4, 2010
I went on tour for few hours in Stockholm and I find the city very impressive and relentlessly panoramic. The narrow, twisting alleys, cobblestone streets and Baroque doorways of century’s old structures in Gamla Stan (Old City), Stockholm’s oldest district, gave me the chance to feel the atmosphere of medieval intimacy of present day Stockholm. In contrast to the old district of Stockholm, modern buildings, shopping malls, bars and restaurants, business offices to name a few are as imposing as the old buildings of the city. Stockholm is a city crowded with museums but so far I only managed to visit Vasa Museum. This museum was built around a 17th century war ship Vasa. Vasa sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour during her maiden voyage. The wreck was salvaged in 1961 after 333years under the sea. The reconstructed ship that is on display at the museum is 95 percent original. Vasa Museum is one of the world’s top attraction and offers unique insight into early 17th-century Sweden. Then I was looking for a museum that does not yet exist in Stockholm– ABBA Museum...LOL... Thank you Lina (our Swedish tour guide) for clearing up what I overlooked from the ABBA Museum official site.
The reconstructed warship Vasa. Photo taken on July 4, 2010
Black Watch left Stockholm’s harbour by 4:30PM yesterday and headed for Sundsvall, Sweden. As of posting, the ship is alongside at the port of Sundsvall. I have no plans about going out; obviously I need some rest after that fantastic tour in Stockholm.
