Stockholm

We arrived on a crisp sunny morning at Stockholm station. 

On a normal day I would probably have said it was freezing. However, after having spent ten days in the arctic circle, it was positively balmy!

After dropping our bags at our new hostel we went out to explore the city by strolling along the river.

Stockholm is truly a beautifully crafted city. The gothic architecture and rustic feel of the buildings along the riverbank are amazing. It's impossible not to look around in a relaxed sense of awe at the historic buildings.

We then wandered north of the river, up to the market section. We found a beautiful indoor market. It was filled with so many sights, smells and hubbub I got swept up in the traditional Swedish moment and bought what can only be described as a giant Swedish meatball. On the first nibble it was great. Anymore than that and it was so strong, kind of like a black pudding patte, I started to gag. Good job I bought a 2kg slab...

After the market we wandered back through the streets of Stockholm and to our hostel for a shower and off to a pub for an evening beer.

The next day the snow had managed to catch us up. So we went for another walk and to the Swedish history museum.

After the museum mum went home for a nap while I went on a walking tour of the old town. It was really good and below is the smallest statue in europe! 

I met a couple of girls on the tour who were studying in Stockholm for a year. 

The next day I recounted the walking tour for mum. Leading her down the winding cobblestones and sharing my new knowledge was great fun.

Here is where we met a snag.

Although Stockholm is a great city, it's not a city of great variety. So after 4 days we decided to take advantage of europes cheap flight network. We booked our tickets to spend our last 3 days in Poland. We got to the bus depot 5 hours before our flight. That, unfortunately was not enough time!

We missed the airport bus (we had pre paid for) by 5 minuets and the next bus wouldn't leave for another 7 hours! We then had to tramp through the snow back to our hostel and managed to book in again. Pros and cons. We were now in separate rooms so at least I'd get a decent night sleep without mums snoring!

I'm really glad we stayed in Stockholm in the end. We went on a lovely guided boat cruise out to the archipelago.

We also got to go over to the university and meet Maria and Hannah (from the walking tour) who showed us around the uni, made us some delicious cakes and took a walk up to a winter beach.

Overall a great trip to Stockholm and to Sweden. Pretty much nothing went to plan, but we had a much better time than we could have ever imagined.

I'll never forget sharing a hot cup of lindenbury juice, dashing through the winter woodlands on a dogsled, sneaking into the ice hotel or watching the phenomenal northern lights with my mum. My best friend.

Now I can't wait for the rugby World Cup with dad!