Scandy Trip 2023 - PART 1
A look back at my scandy adventure, crossing Sweden and into Denmark, through vast forests and countryside, exploring Theme Parks, Sightseeing and mastering the Train Network!
Arriving in Stockholm
For the first time in 4 years, it was time to head back to Gatwick for the latest voyage. This would send me the furthest north I had been, as Stockholm is just further up than John O'Groats.
The anticipation was building, and this increased further on the flight, as I got chatting almost immediately to a lady who was visiting her mid-30's son in Stockholm for the first time in a few months. Apparently, he had moved out there 7 years ago (note pre-brexit) to be with his Swedish girlfriend, and despite a later split had stayed on in the city.
She spoke about how easy it was to hop between the 14 main islands, how wild the natural landscape was (where you might pass a Moose at the side of the road), and just how generally friendly and relaxed the people were there. Our conversation was filling me with a lot of positivity on arrival.
It's amazing how many islands, dense forests and little houses and farms in the middle of nowhere you pass over when traversing the whole country to Stockholm, truly awe-inspiring seeing for the first time.
Anyway, after checking through perhaps the quietest and most civilised Passport Control I've known, it was time to board the Arlanda Express, a premium train service in comfort and price to take me to the Central Train Terminal. From there, it was time to make my way to my accommodation.
I would be fully embracing the maritime theme by staying aboard a "red boat" on the harbour overlooking the yellow City Hall, and just an island-hop from Gamla Stan, the old town with a simultaneous modernised edge.
This proved to be not only a cost-effective option but a really fun experience, obviously with a more rustic feel to a hotel, with shared facilities, but perfectly fine for my requirements, and pretty cosy but more spacious than I expected.
After exploring and chilling out on the boat for a while, it was time to seek out an authentic Swedish dining experience at "Meatballs for the People"!
This was a short walk on the island I was on, and the food was delicious. By opting for "chef's choice", I wasn't sure which Meatballs I would get from the 16 varieties available; I would get 2 of each, and this worked out to be Beef, Chicken, Pork and Reindeer, with a common Swedish combo of mash, pickled cucumbers and Lingonberries (I also had a Lingonberry drink, a national speciality, which was nice and refreshing on a very hot day)
The first evening was capped off with a beautiful Sunset post-10pm that galvanised the Stockholm skyline - a perfect start to the trip, it had already delivered so much!
Comments