Scandinavian Trip, Iceland, Sweden & Denmark

Sweden / Sverige

Walter and Susan's 40th anniversary trip
to Iceland, Sweden and Denmark
Last Updated August 7, 2011
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'Ganget', great friends from 40
years ago,CLICK for bigger PIC!

The very best part of our entire trip was to see our old friends again from Halmstad, where we were married 40 years ago. It was a true delight to see everyone again after so long, and know that they were still as wonderful as we remembered! This picture is from our anniversary dinner.

Welcome to Stockholm!
The Capital of Sweden

We flew from Iceland to Sweden, arriving at the Arlanda airport outside of Stockholm, the capital. As usual, the airport is a long way from the city, so we had an hour long, SKR500 cab ride to Stockholm. We stayed at the Freys Hotel in downtown, which from our top floor room (shown above), had a great view of the city. I confess, as soon as we got to Sweden, I was dying for a korv med mos och lingon, never mind the museum tours! We walked the city several times, and also used the busses to get around. I was amazed at the cosmopolitan feel and mixed population of Stockholm, it was a far cry from the monoculture city we visited 40 years ago. English is the common second language everywhere, another big social change.

Our Hotel View CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Our Hotel View CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Our Hotel View CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
YES! Korv med mos o. lingon! CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Resting Between Walks CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Lovely Church Memorial CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Grad Class Parade CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Grad Class NP3A CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	City Square + Cafe CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

The Dreaded Pay Toilets, CLICK for BIGGER PIC!

Strange Signs
The Pay Toilets
Were The Worst

Often things look very familiar in Sweden, newstands, restaurants, even the odd Pizza Hut, or Coca Cola sign. But every so often, you see something that just is inexplicable, sign-wise. I really wonder what the Roman legion bassett hound is all about at COMVIQ. it's still a mystery. The Pay Toilets were the biggest trauma, heaven help the person who doesn't have a few spare crowns. Trying to puzzle it all out using non-text Euro-symbols isn't that much fun either, especially when there is a sense of urgency.

COMVIQ, Mobile Bassett Hounds?

CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

Gooey Brand

CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

Royal Palace Signage

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The Royal Palace
1 of 10 in Stockholm

The Royal Palace in Stockholm has both an operational and tourist aspect. Royal Guards patrol the access, and perform with their band once a day for a changing of the guard ceremony. There are several museums inside, with historical royal family heirlooms (some of which probably did not need to be saved, like the royal suspenders, etc.), past crown jewels and similar items. The royal family no doubt finds it annoying som helvete to have tourists wandering all over. The Riksdag close by is the main seat of the Swedish federal government.

The Riksdag CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Vigilant Royal Guards CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Royal Guards on Parade CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Changing Of The Guards CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Tourists Watching The Guards CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Royal Guard Band CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

The Beauty of Stockholm
An Amazing City

Stockholm is a beautiful city, spread over a harbor area with many rivers and canals, no doubt a hold over from past Viking heritage. Some of the city views are truly extraordinary, with perfectly preserved buildings going back hundreds of years mixed with modern roadways and offices.

Harbor View CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Harbor View CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Harbor From The Bus CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Harbor From The Bus CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Grand Hotel CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Old and New Together CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
The Three Royal Crowns CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Street In Gamla Stan CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Entrance To Gamla Stan CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Walking Along A Canal CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Kings Theater CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Statue of John Ericsson CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Modern Architecture CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Great Synagogue Of Stockholm CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Great Synagogue Of Stockholm CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

Stockholm City Hall
Unexpectedly Beautiful

Stockholm City Hall is unquestionably the most elegant city hall on earth. It has a complicated and lengthy construction history, and each section of it has its own special elegance and unusual features, all somewhat controversial. There are some odd bits, like the Blue Room, which is not blue at all, and the gilded mosaic hall which looks like it belongs inside one of the pyramids, with the highly debated woman's picture on one wall. Supposed to represent Stockholm, most figured it hardly did the ladies of the city justice. The building also has the nicest meeting hall for the city councilors I have ever seen. The tower is topped by the Three Crowns, the historical symbol for Sweden.

City Hall Tower CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The 'Blue' Room CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	Inside The City Council CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
Inside The City Council CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Column Room CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Gilded Dance Hall CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!
The 'Blue' Room Walls CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Gilded Lady CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!	The Outer Courtyard CLICK for a BIGGER PIC!

Sea-Going History
Amazing Ships

Maritime history is alive and well in Stockholm, and the Naval museum and other exhibits showcase the rich sea-going history of the city and country. Complete ships have been recovered and restored, and are on exhibit.

Naval Museum Model