Day 2 & 3 - In Stockholm

Went around exploring Stockholm these two days. Probably covered more than 10 km per day. Made very ambitious plans each time, but found ourselves wandering around the place in the end.

Day 2:
Had free cuppachino from the dispenser with Sainsbury Basics biscuits for breakfast. Set out to get groceries for dinner. Bought beef and orang juice and capsicum. Cost around 65 Krons.

Stumbled upon a job fair at the city council building. Loitered around the area, and helped ourselves to the chocolates and sweets the various companies were offering. Kinda reminded me of the Cambridge freshers fair.

Visited the obsevatory at the University of Stockholm. Got quite a nice view of the city from the top of the hill where the obsevatory was situated. There was a fenced up meteorological area behind the obsevatory with a rain gauge, and lots of snow all around. The whole setup was just calling out to the mischievous passer-by's like me to throw snowballs into it... Couldn't help but respond to the invitation. Think I effectively added 100 mm of rainfall to the measurement that day...

Then passed by a pizza shop for dinner. Shared a kebab pizza meal for 60 krons. They had free flow of bread, pineapples, butter, olives, and other pizza ingredients, and a can of coke. Ate my fill from the bread, and butter and pineapples. And really enjoyed the coke and the huge kebab pizza. All for less than $7.00 Sing per person! The food here is really much more value for money than the restaurants in Cambridge!

Hiked north to explore what appeared to be a green patch on the map. Visited a prehistoric museum along the way. And walked all the way down to an island with a viking ship, but did not enter because it was closing. Walked through the tourist district, all the way back to our youth hostel. Made spghetti and salmon for dinner. Slacked in the TV room til 12, and retired for the night.

Day 3
Started off pretty much the same as yesterday, to cuppachino and biscuits. But headed south to the palace. Caught the change of guards parade, visited the museums in the Palace, spent the afternoon there. While in the museum, reflected on what power meant, as we saw symbols of power like crowns, orbs, and scepters; and 'orders' decorated by the king. Had lunch at around 5 pm, and headed further south to the other bank of the river. Nothing much there, so headed back to the hostel. Had pasta and salmon for dinner, and relaxed at the TV room.

Pasta with Salmon and Brocolli

So we arrived on the first day to see the pretty side of Stockholm - the tourist district. Explored, on the second day, the not so pristine side of Stockholm - the edge of the city. And visited the old, royal side of Stockholm today.

Visiting the museums and viewing articles of power and politics evoked quite a good reflection of what power meant. And having Serene around allowed me someone to discuss these reflections with. Think will blog about this issue on a seperate post.

Will be setting off for Kiruna tomorrow, land of raindeers, ice and snow, and auroras. Will miss this hostel though. It's really cosy! City Backpackers in case anyone is interested.