Stockholm
Few cities can compare with the magnificent setting of Stockholm, with its marvelous array of facades reflected on the waters of the Baltic. Our weather was less than perfect today, but fortunately we had splendid sunshine and no wind for our pre-breakfast Zodiac that took us from the Endeavour up to the city itself through a series of canals. As we cruised at a modest speed, we saw early morning walkers, marvelous houses and then, as we got into the city center, stately buildings erected in a grand manner. We rejoined the ship where it was moored right in the heart of the old city. Nearly all other ships have to dock far from the city center but thanks to the work of the captain, we arrived perfectly ballasted and within the limits set by the maritime authorities for the city docks.
No matter how short the list of greatest museums of Europe you might want to make, one can scarcely imagine omitting the Wasa museum. This great relic of Sweden’s days as a major power sank on its maiden voyage a few hundred yards from where it had just been launched. Lost for three hundred years, a determined researcher found the ship just weeks before that part of the harbor was to be taken for another use. We see the ship now in all its glory. Few museums greet the visit with a more stark and startling opening exhibit.
Lunch was either on board or could be taken in town. In the afternoon we had a walking tour through the old town and then the rest of the afternoon was spent on our own, walking the streets, having hot chocolate in one of the cafes, or just ambling. We dined ashore or aboard as our fancy suited us. Some of us strolled the decks with the glorious views of Stockholm all around us, for in the evening the sun returned to give us wonderful colors and shadows to send us off for a calm night’s sleep.
Few cities can compare with the magnificent setting of Stockholm, with its marvelous array of facades reflected on the waters of the Baltic. Our weather was less than perfect today, but fortunately we had splendid sunshine and no wind for our pre-breakfast Zodiac that took us from the Endeavour up to the city itself through a series of canals. As we cruised at a modest speed, we saw early morning walkers, marvelous houses and then, as we got into the city center, stately buildings erected in a grand manner. We rejoined the ship where it was moored right in the heart of the old city. Nearly all other ships have to dock far from the city center but thanks to the work of the captain, we arrived perfectly ballasted and within the limits set by the maritime authorities for the city docks.
No matter how short the list of greatest museums of Europe you might want to make, one can scarcely imagine omitting the Wasa museum. This great relic of Sweden’s days as a major power sank on its maiden voyage a few hundred yards from where it had just been launched. Lost for three hundred years, a determined researcher found the ship just weeks before that part of the harbor was to be taken for another use. We see the ship now in all its glory. Few museums greet the visit with a more stark and startling opening exhibit.
Lunch was either on board or could be taken in town. In the afternoon we had a walking tour through the old town and then the rest of the afternoon was spent on our own, walking the streets, having hot chocolate in one of the cafes, or just ambling. We dined ashore or aboard as our fancy suited us. Some of us strolled the decks with the glorious views of Stockholm all around us, for in the evening the sun returned to give us wonderful colors and shadows to send us off for a calm night’s sleep.
