Stockholm day 2

 I spent 2.5 hrs in Swedish History Museum to get my Viking fix with fun interactive events, yet walked via the Army Museum quickly since the lighting was too low to read and my eyes were tired. “Vikings worshipped their gods out in the elements. There were many gods, but the gods of most importance were Odin, the god of knowledge, Freya, the goddess of fertility, and Thor, the god of thunder and a symbol of strength and metalwork. The people of the Viking age are thought to have seen the world like a kind of round plate or disc, at the middle of which stood an enormous tree – Yggdrasil, the tree of life.”

After a quick stop at Östermalms Saluhall “The world's 7th best food hall" (didn’t like the pricing), I walked to Mariatorget park to take free walking tour of Södermalm, the south-island of Stockholm evolved from the industrial area of the city to a cultural mix of art, environmental development, religious acceptance and social awareness. We visited the Monteliusvägen view point, Hornsgatan, Maria Magdalena’s Church, etc. 

Saturday must be a popular weeding day in Sweden, since I ran into two in different churches.

Stockholm Day 1

The gloomy morning turned sunny in Stockholm as I took old town and new city free walking tours. The old town tour started from the Viking Era, the German influence in the country and the Danish clash which led to the most important Swedish event: the Stockholm bloodbath in 1520 followed by the succession of Gustav Vasa. The new city tour center answered around modern Stockholm with contemporary architectures which make a perfect mix of the old and the new, the past, the present, and the future.

In between the tours, I took a nap on an outdoor recliner facing the the harbor. The hostel became much quieter tonight with less than half of the guests. Friday nights were usually busy, maybe some people were in the music festivals.

Into Sweden via Oslo airport

 Svolvær looked totally different on a sunny day. Too bad we had to leave Lofoten to Oslo. We ran into a Germany hiker who visited only Lofoten to hike 2-week. Only 20 passengers on this tiny plane at this tiny airport with great views. There were only two buses from the city to this small airport each day. The atrial views from Lofoten to Oslo on the small plane were impressive as well. 

After 2-hr, I layover Oslo airport 5-hr for an Ethiopian flight (used UA frequent miles) to Abu Dhabi passing via Stockholm (where I will stay 5-days). Oslo airport is green and nice but its domestic and international terminals are packed with people.  However, I managed to find a quiet seat with power outlet. Since I didn’t find anything I want to see in Oslo city, I just camp in the airport on my last day in Norway. 

Ethiopian airline flight delayed one hour due to flight crew shortage which is a common problem this summer since airlines can’t certify new crew members in a short time to meet the summer demands. I was forced to take the expensive airport express train since other options stopped running in late night. I self-checked in hostel, showered, ate instant noodles, and chatted with two young travelers before sleeping. What a long day!

Sweden