Friday, 23 May 2014

Nynashamn, (Stockholm), Sweden

Wednesday, May 21

This was the only port on this cruise where tenders had to be used. Because we were not doing a Princess shore excursion, we had to wait until they were all cleared until we could go. Only five tenders (or water limousines as Royal Princess refer to them!!) were being used but each moves 220 people at a time so, despite it being a 20 min trip to shore, we made it in time to start our SPB tour at 9am. Again, we were greeted by locals and a band playing "American Patrol".

The welcoming band
Exiting one of the "water limousines"

Our guide, Carlos, introduced himself and told us he was from Mexico, of all places. He had come here 6 yrs ago, fallen in love with a Swedish girl, learned the language, obtained citizenship, then lost the girl. He explained that one love affair had ended but not his love for Stockholm. Apart from being very easy on the eye, he was both knowledgeable and entertaining.

Carlos, our Mexican guide (too animated to get a good pic!)

We set off on a 50 min coach ride to the city with Carlos pointing out things of interest and telling us about life in Sweden. First stop was a vantage point that gave us a breathtaking 180 degree view over Stockholm. What a beautiful, clean city it is. Al was excited to spot the sailing ship "Af Chapman" moored in the harbour as this was the boat (still used as a youth hostel) that he and the boys stayed in 40 years ago. After a brief photo stop, we were off to the Vasa Museum.

From the vantage point overlooking Stockholm

Everyone we know who has been to Stockholm told us we must not miss this museum and, once inside, we could see why. The Vasa was commissioned by the King of Sweden as a war ship back in 1628. One would expect such a ship to be sailing for 25 years or more but this ship sailed for only 25 mins before capsizing in the harbour in a gust of wind. The King blamed the designer but it was really the extra canons he had ordered to be fitted to the top deck that caused it to be top heavy. The ship remained submerged for over 300 years but because it was in fresh water, it was preserved. In 1961 it was salvaged and restorations were carried out. The reconstructed vessel is 98% original - amazing

The salvaged Vasa

Next stop was City Hall. Impressive on the exterior, it was jaw-dropping on the interior. The first room we entered (Blue Room) is where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held each year so features a large gold medallion with Nobel's head embossed on it. There is not an inch of blue in the room but apparently the architect had planned to have it painted blue but when he saw how good the brickwork looked, he decided to leave it unpainted. The plans however, showed it as the Blue Room and it has always been called that. The next room was the Gold Room and it lived up to its name with all the walls decorated in mosaic tiles covered in gold leaf making it very impressive.

The Blue Room at City Hall

One of the mosaic walls in the Gold Room

From there we headed to the Old Town - much like most European old towns. Carlos showed us the Royal Palace, the Lutheran Church, the Nobel Museum, an old stone with a Viking inscription and a number of different styled houses.

Outside the Royal Palace in Old Town

The Lutheran Church

We then had an hour to explore on our own. As it was about 1.30pm we were all famished (we have usually had about 5 meals by this time of day!!) so the general consensus was to go and eat first. After a delicious bratwurst roll and fries (we are travelling with Americans after all!) and a very strong espresso to go with the most unbelievable cake - marzipan base covered in dark chocolate topped with fluffy marshmallow coated in delicious white chocolate (1bn calories per bite!) - almost unable to walk, we headed off along the cobblestone streets and looked in some quaint shops filled with typical Scandinavian wooden handicrafts, woollen jumpers, hats, etc., and of course, more fabulous little eateries.

One billion calories per bite!

As we had to be tendered back to our ship, we didn't want to leave it till the last minute to catch a tender so we piled back into our coach for the 50 min drive back to Nynashamn. Fortunately the queue for tenders wasn't too long so we were back on board by mid afternoon ready for our 5pm departure and a restful day at sea tomorrow - if you call packing restful! Sadly, tomorrow is our last full day on this cruise.

Our "boat" is masquerading as a "water limousine" so we now have an unobstructed view!

 

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