Days 13 & 14 September 20th & 21st Stockholm

 



the theatre

We had two days in Stockholm but because 

natural history museum

I was feeling below par on the first day we did not leave the ship.  I have had a cold since Sunday and although it was with me the previous three days, I battled on wanting to see the sights etc of St Petersburg and Helsinki. I did not wake up feeling too good 

king ? outside national opera house

on the Wednesday and we decided to have a quiet day, pick

the Vasa

the brains of those that went ashore and complete the highlights tomorrow.  Over dinner we talked to others and the “must do” things seemed to be a Hop on Hop off bus tour of the city and then visit the “Vasa” 

Vasa along port side

museum.  If time allowed a boat tour round the immediate waterways would be good.  The Vasa was a boat like the Marie Rose in Portsmouth which in 1628 on her maiden trial sunk in 

Vasa from stern

Stockholm harbour.  It was reputed to have a lot of its structure, equipment and possessions of those trapped on board when she went down.  We caught the uncomfortable Hop on Hop off bus at about 0900 and because it was rush hour it took 2 hours to arrive at the museum.  We were able to take photos of important buildings on the way.  The Vasa museum was amazing showing a time capsule of 1628.  It was reclaimed in 1961 and has been treated to preserve it for the future.  There was film about the boat which started in English at 1100 and so we just made that and it was good in setting the scene for the the disaster and recovery.  We spent 2 hours in the museum including a coffee break with the local speciality of a cinnamon bun.  The information was all laid out in English on 4 levels, we were not able to go on the boat but we could see the plans and decks.  After being absorbed by this we had to return to the ship (we missed a harbour boat tour)where we had to board by 1430.  After one or two misgivings we found the bus and arrived back in good time.  The voyage leaving Stockholm was beautiful with thousands of small islands to weave through so the need for a pilot was very apparent.  We sailed through them and off into the sunset!
 

leaving Stockholm

    

leaving Stockholm