A day of exploring!!

Hello all!!

Wow. What a day. I am completely wrecked. You should all feel very special as I nearly went to bed but decided I wanted to let you know what an awesome day I had. 

Slept til about 7.30am which was good. Sun rises about 4am here but my shoebox room has no window - actually a really good thing because the light doesn't disturb me! 

Got some bad news from mum this morning though. Just like when we were in Switzerland last time, someone has used our credit card account. Luckily it was on her card not mine (our cards link to the same account) because now we've had to cancel hers. All ok though, can still use it as a credit card with no fees until the money is put back on by GE. 

Had a quick brekky at the hotel (all they have is bread and butter though!!!). Then set off for the day. 

Started off walking around the surrounding area of my hostel, called Gamla Stan. Basically Stockholm is broken up into various islands. Gamla Stan is one of those and it is where Stockholm began in the 1200s. It's the old town. The laneways and little squares are really beautiful! Walked through the narrowest one, Marten Trotzig and then to the Main Street; Vasterlanggaten. But everything at this time was pretty dead so decided I'd come back later. 

Next I went to the Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral). Beautiful inside! The church count has officially started. Up to 2 including the 1 in Paros. By the end of each European trip I always feel like yelling ENOUGH BLOODY CHURCHES ALREADY!!! But in this one there was a statue of St George slaying the dragon (representing Denmark apparently). I also liked a painting in there that depicted a strange light (6 rings of light) that apparently appeared in the sky here in the 17th century. Maybe like the northern lights??

Then I walked to Riddarholmen - another island! Didn't go into the church here but apparently it's the royal family necropolis. All the other buildings on this island are state ones likes courtrooms etc. Went to the wharf area here as well. Weather was pretty grey and gloomy at this stage. Asked a lady to take a picture of me and she went nuts and took about 5! Everyone I asked seemed to do that today!!! I also had lots of people come up to me and ask, so then I got them to take one in return. No one is as good a photographer as you though mum!! Miss your photo taking :P 

I then decided to walk to the tourist office to check that what I wanted to do tmro was open because it is Sweden day! Didn't know until today! But both the Vasa a Museum and Skansen will be open, and as an added bonus Skansen is free tmro on Sweden day and the king and queen will be paying it a visit! Exciting!!

After that I went to the royal palace. It was originally built in the 1200s when Stockholm appeared here, but most of it burned down in 1697 so it was then rebuilt. I had a look in the treasury which had the Crown Jewels and ornate royal objects, then in the royal chapel. Then I joined a tour through the royal apartments. Two ladies from hawthorn were on it and they were lovely! Was great to have someone to chat to albeit briefly! We saw lots of beautiful rooms, though it was a lot like lots of other palaces I've been to. One room was been modelled after the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. What I loved about this palace though is that even though the royal family no longer live here, they still use most of its rooms for ceremonies, parties and events! Yet we are still allowed to tour through. When one of the princes got married in 2010 there was a huge party apparently in the palace!

Went to the changing of the guard outside. Liked the music by the navy band. Was having a great time by myself when they announced they'd play "All by myself". Think they were trying to send me a message!!! Haha. Was a nice change to have that stuck in my head though instead of Super Trouper and Waterloo by ABBA which I was singing in the street all day. 

Next up I went to the other 2 parts included in my palace ticket. First was the Gustav Antiques Museum. A collection of statues. Finally was the Tre Kronor (three crowns, which is part of the crest of Sweden) Museum. This was all about the palace's history including the fire and I found it really interesting. The 3 fire wardens on duty the night it burned down were sentenced to death but then had it downgraded by the king to running the gauntlet 7 times (running through a line of soldiers who abuse you). One of them still died as a result. 

Next I walked to the Stadshuset (town hall) on yet another island! There was a function on so no tours of the interior, but oh well. I bought a ticket for up the tower instead. Had 50 minutes to kill so bought an ice cream and a hot dog. 

Climbed the 365 steps up the tower pretty easily. The view was AMAZING. The sun decided to come out just as I was getting up the top which meant our views were beautiful sunny blue skies over the skyline. Amazing. Had a strange little homesickness attack here. Dad and I watched a tv show by Anh Do the other week where he came here and he went on this ride at the local theme park. Could see it from the tower and got a bit teary for a sec!!! Miss you guys but having a fab time :) getting excited to see dad in just over a week too which will be great! 

Once back down I walked through the main shopping street (yet bought nothing - proud??) to Sergels Torg; a modern main square. Hadn't felt vulnerable alone until here, quite a few dodgy people around. So kept going to Kunggradspark. Here there was a huge food and wine festival on!!! Meant I say as well all day today there were crazy year 12s driving around everywhere in trucks tooting drinking and partying as they have finished school! 

Kept walking (I walked a lot today!!!!) back through Gamla Stan which was now buzzing with life. Walked to the south to Södermalm; a trendy neighbourhood apparently. Went to the Stadsmuseum (city history museum). Really enjoyed this! Was interesting reading about the patron saint St Erik as well as how Stockholm changed over time (housing, streets, palace). Only weird exhibit was one upstairs about crime. No thanks, I don't want to read about muggings, rape and murder in the city I'm currently staying in!!! Had a laugh about why it was in the museum with two American guys and got out of the there!

My last stop was the supermarket where I gladly bought some "cheap" groceries for lunch and dinner the next couple of days. Spent about $18 and got bread, cheese, biscuits (sweet and savoury) and bananas. Not too bad I guess! 

Had a rest at the room then went for dinner. Going to a restaurant and saying "table for one" has to be one of the saddest things I have done in my life! How embarrassing. The man laughed and said "don't worry, I eat alone sometimes too!"  Took my lonely planet guide and read. But have decided that I've now treated myself going out once, and it probably won't be happening again in Sweden/Norway. Guess how much 6 tiny Swedish meatballs (which were advertised as a main course!!!!!), some mashed potato and a glass of tap water cost me? $45. Forty. Five. Dollars. Do you think I'm made of money Stockholm???? The meal didn't even fill me up and I ended up eating bread and cheese in the room. The meatballs were nice though, but seriously!!!!! Grrrr!!!!

Overall am loving Stockholm though. Have picked a great city to go solo. So easy to navigate and everyone speaks English and is absolutely lovely. I'm greeted with a kind smile everywhere I go and people are full of advice and help. Shame it's so expensive!!

Vasa Museum and Skansen tmro (hopefully with some bonus royal spotting!). 

Now pardon me while I collapse into bed from exhaustion !!!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox