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Stockholm

 


We took a quick flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm to continue our Scandinavia adventure.  

More Stockholm photos here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/P9CcUCkXJkz9Dp4v5

Fri, 8/15 - Copenhagen → Stockholm

We hadn't planned a food tour in Stockholm, but these things tend to happen.  We dropped our bags at the hotel and headed to Östermalms Food Hall.  The tour guide was more awkward than other food tour guides we have had.  Hard to describe but he reminded me of a young George Michael. Not a bad thing but he did not fit the typical profile of a food tour guide. On a very positive note - there were more meatballs on this tour! 


Sat, 8/16— Stockholm

We did a walking tour in the morning with another fairly entertaining tour guide and even more information about the historical Sweden/Denmark mortal enemy situation. 

This statue is to honor women in leadership given most of the history involved men being in power and making "interesting" choices.


Super tiny walkway that is a thing people like to walk through in Stockholm:

Sun, 8/17 — Stockholm to Helsinki

We planned a 2 night cruise to Helsinki so we could experience a little of Finland and Sam could see what a cruise is like. We boarded the Tallink Silja Line ship in the late afternoon and promptly found a spot at the front of the ship to look out at the Swedish archipelago. Archipelago means a bunch of islands (in case I was the only person who didn't know that).  Fun fact is that Sweden has the most Islands of anywhere in the world.  






Harry the Seal was the ship's mascot.  Sam enjoyed his interaction with Harry but not so much the Bingo we were playing at the time this photo was taken.  

Overall I think the cruise was a success.  Our cabin was small but manageable for 2 nights.  Sam enjoyed the multiple kid's play areas and the buffet dinner we had one night.  I enjoyed that he had independence but I was reminded why I do not enjoy buffets. Over-indulging in mediocre food is not my thing, but is exactly Sam's thing. 

Mon, 8/18 - Helsinki

See separate blog on Helsinki

Tue, 8/19 — Stockholm Part 2

We arrived back in Stockholm in the morning, and checked back into the same hotel stored our bags again (we’re regulars in the hotel luggage room now).  Based on the recommendations of the tour guide we had for our walking tour, we visited the Vasa Museum.  The museum houses the Vasa ship which is a war ship that sank pretty much immediately after its maiden voyage in 1628.  The ship was recovered many years later and is now in this museum.  


Wed, 8/20 - Stockholm --> Olso

Before heading to Olso, we had a "choose your own adventure" museum morning.  I chose the ABBA museum and Sam chose the Skansen Museum (and obviously by default Ryan went to the Skansen Museum with Sam). 

Skansen is an "open air museum", and mostly a zoo (per Sam and Ryan since I did not go).




And the ABBA museum speaks for itself.  The museum reignited by love of ABBA!



I learned a lot about these four.  I really did not know about all of their ups and downs before the museum.


With my reignited love of ABBA, I began listening to their music obsessively and then Sam became obsessed.  It's interesting for a kid who likes classical music to be into the popiest pop band of all time.  Here is a video of him after teaching himself Mamma Mia on the piano:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YPEnZ6WAFN6kTKYE8



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