After the long bus ride, I realized that nothing beat the comfort of train travel in Europe. This would be the last time I book anything the last minute.
Upon arrival, I found Stockholm quite interesting in terms of its layout. It was made up of several islands connected by many bridges and highways. My hostel was in the west island of Kungsholmen (Kings’ Island), mainly residential with the Stadhuset (city hall) at the eastern tip. The hostel was actually a cave in the basement, very weirdly laid out and had no windows. My dorm mate Yulia (from Belarus) and I endured two nights of thunderous snoring from our mysterious Mexican friend. I finally used my ear plugs for the first time on this trip.
The main island, Gamla Stan (Old Town), was dominated by the magnificent 1754 Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace). Like all other tourists, I waited patiently for the daily changing of the guard at noon. Meeting up to my expectation, it was a spectacular display of unison, precision, music, and equine elegance. Even the marching guards galloped on foot, interesting yet comical. At the gift shop, the recent wedding photos of the Crown Princess Victoria to her fitness trainer Daniel Wrestling dominated postcards, magnets, coasters, and every available surface you could stick their faces on.
2010 08 09 - Changing of the Guards at Kungliga Slottet, Gamla Stan
2010 08 09 - Souvenirs from the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Wrestling
The next day I went on a free walking tour (you only tip the guide at the end) and found out more great tidbits of Stockholm. We went by PUB, the department store where the owner handpicked a young clerk to be in the promo ad for the store and launched the career of Greta Garbo. We witnessed an intersection with 4 H&M stores just because the corporate headquarter was there so they felt like having a presence. We were offered a chance for millions if we could solve an old murder mystery where the state minister and his wife were gunned down one evening in 1986. Lastly, it was told that we should always keep a lookout for anyone famous as many celebrities enjoyed a relaxing stroll in the city.
2010 08 10 - a plaque detailing the location where the state minister and his wife were gunned down
After the tour, I set out to satisfy the real reason I went to Stockholm, to see the biggest IKEA in the world!!!! I found the free IKEA shuttle (it was actually quite difficult to find as they moved the damn stop) and took us about 15 minutes to suburbia. There, I saw my Eden, the Legoland for adult, the magnificent artistry of widgets and allen keys. I met Billys and Ektorps, Bestas and Gorvs. I found out that most tables and furnitures were named after Swedish towns, and the carpets and rugs were named after Danish towns. The Danes were not pleased to be stepped on once again by the Swedes. I ended the visit with some Swedish meatballs at the IKEA restaurant (the best price in town) and battled my way for a seat on the shuttle with the real shoppers and their loots.
2010 08 10 - the long awaited IKEA shuttle arrives
2010 08 10 - Five floors of IKEA
In the south island of Sodermalm, I scoped out the ferry port as I plan on taking the Viking Line to Finland. It was a good thing that I made the pre-trip because I saw the line ups for the boarding pass/ticket validation was extremely long. I made a mental note that I needed to arrive earlier on the day of my departure. Sodermalm was also a place with less expensive restaurants and local favourites. After wandering around the neighbourhood, I settled in a bar restaurant with some Eastern European influence.
I forgot to mention that there was a music festival in Stockholm that week (it seemed every city had something going on in the summer). I found a huge crowd (clearly older and family oriented) near the Operan waterfront singing in harmony with some lady chanteusse (probably quite well known in Sweden). Then a few blocks over at the Kungstradgarden, I was mixed up with the hip hop generation to OMG on a giant screen. With music everywhere and a beautiful night, I took in the harbour night lights one more time before heading back to my cave and my earplugs.
2010 08 10 - Open concert at the Operan
2010 08 10 - Open concert at the Kungstradgarden
2010 08 10 - harbour view at Stockholm
1. On the Viking Line to Turku
2. Turku, Finland
3. The bag of chocolate cookies I bought....
4. The Absolute Ice Bar and some interesting museums that would be worth a visit on a rainy day.
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