Scandy Trip 2023 - PART 3
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!
The Ferry to Grona Lund & Stunning Vasa
Day 3 and it was back to central Stockholm for a conventional day of tourist sightseeing. The morning saw me take the ferry across to Djursgarden island, with 140 year-old amusement park Gröna Lund dominating the skyline with its rides and enormous drop towers.
8 coasters interweave with each other in this compact boardwalk park with a fairground vibe. There are also concerts held at certain days in the summer in the evening, but I was going for a morning stint.
One ride overhangs the water, and many are geared to offer fantastic views back to the central islands of Stockholm, and you get to fully appreciate how remarkable the setup of the capital is. It was a great few hours with the sea breeze, until an unexpected brief deluge later, luckily when I was grabbing a spot of lunch undercover anyway!
Another point of interest on the island I explored in the afternoon was the ill-fated 1628 Vasa ship, which sank in Stockholm harbour barely minutes into its maiden voyage, on account of being too top-heavy and having too much ballast in its hull.
On entering the main hall of the museum, the magnitude of the ship is staggering, covering 5 floors of viewing areas.
Whilst most of the hull remained intact when it was dredged from Stockholm harbour 333 years after it sunk, in 1961, other emblematic shields have been pieced together, and replicas recreated in the ship’s original vibrant reds and yellows. It was one of the prettiest ships that most of the world didn’t get to see in its true splendour, but this is a celebration of that.
As with most museums, there are an amazing amount of artefacts as well as a reflection of what life would’ve been like on board in those brief moments (enhanced in a short film). A poignant tale, but you couldn’t fault their ambition.
Another plan for the day had been to visit the ABBA museum, but the aforementioned deluge had unfortunately caused flood damage, so it was back to Stockholm to meander past the Royal Palace and relax until a first-class night train (with complimentary Tea, Fruit and biscuits) right across the country.
Next stop: Gothenburg and Liseberg Park!
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