Europe 30 May 2012 - Stockholm

Our visit to Stockholm, Sweden, required tendering to a port and a long bus ride in to the city. We were about an hour south of the city at a port in the town of Nynashamn. The country was beautiful, and in some ways similar to the Pacific Northwest coast, especially around Puget Sound and Vancouver Island.

Stockholm Waterfront

We had bought a shore excursion for the bus ride in and a tour of the Vasa Museum. That turned out to be a good choice.

Once in Stockholm, we got a bus tour of the city, making a stop at Riddarfjarden Lake. From there we could see Stadshuset  (city hall) where the Nobel prize banquet is held. We then went to Djurärden Island where there are several museums.  We drove by Skansen outdoor museum with many school groups touring.

Vasa

Vasa model

Next we came to the Vasa Museum, one of the most historically interesting places in Stockholm. The museum houses the warship Vasa, which sank a couple of hours into its maiden voyage about 300 years ago. It was such an embarrassment, it was simply left where it sank and forgotten about. That is after the cannon were salvaged and masts were cut off so they didn't show above the water line. It was rediscovered in the 1950s, well preserved because of the brackish water, raised, preserved, and moved (carefully) to a museum built for it. It is a fascinating piece of history rediscovered, and reminded us a bit of the "Jesus Boat" at the Sea of Galilee.

After our visit to the Vasa Museum, the bus took us to the city center and let us off near the Opera for a free afternoon. We had about three hours to wander and explore.

The Guard Brass Band

Changing of the Guard

We walked to the Gamla Stan, the Old Town area. At Kungliga Slottet, the Royal Palace, we were just in time for the Changing of the Guard, a rather elaborate ceremony. Soldiers march in to the square, and ride in on horseback, led by the military brass band, also on horseback. They play very well in spite of being on horses. We stayed through most of the ceremony, which lasted about 45 minutes.

St George & The Dragon

Storkyrkan

Next to the Palace is the Storkyrkan (Great Church), a 15th century building that was the scene of kings being crowned till into the 20th century. Notable features inside are a massive sculpture of St George slaying the dragon, and a "light painting" with interesting use of light.

From the church we wandered to Stortoget, the Great Square. It is typical of medieval European town squares. We ate lunch in a café off the square, which seemed to be frequented mostly by locals.

Stortoget

Shopping Street

After lunch we walked the Västerlägatan back to where we were to catch the bus. It just wasn't quite where we expected, but not far away. It was a pleasant ride back to Nynashamn for the tender ride back to the ship. And that ended our last shore excursion of this cruise. We will spend the next two days at sea on the way  back to Amsterdam.