Day: May 21, 2025

Skol! Our Trip to Scandinavia Day 2. “I Need Some Sleep”

by reissmd, posted in Stockholm, Sweden

Today was a disaster but I only have myself to blame. Much of yesterday we had a lot of snacks throughout the day….. I mean throughout the night. When we were in Copenhagen waiting for our flight I should have eaten something but I didn’t. When we arrived in Stockholm all I wanted to do was get some sleep. Since my body is still on LA time I awoke at about 2 AM extremely hungry. My body was craving lunch or an early dinner but my surroundings said everyone is in bed and you should be too. I remember reading that the hotel restaurant (yes, Restaurant Reiss) opened at 6 AM so I toughed it out until then. Patrice was asleep so I quietly exited the room and headed downstairs only be told that the buffet opened at 6:30. It was difficult but worth the wait. I was well satiated and returned to our room. Sorry, I was too hungry to think about pictures.

Except for this picture. How could I pass up Restaurant Reiss?

After letting my food partly traverse my digestive track I then returned to bed. Less hungry I was able to get some sleep. Patrice being a much better sleeper than me headed to the Royal Palace. She sent me this picture from outside the hotel.

Sorry, I can’t tell you anymore than they are men on horses who look like they might be police.

Feeling more rested I joined our group for a chance to meet the other travelers on the tour. There are a total of 24 people on the tour, 8 men and 16 women. That is a ratio I liked when I was in my 20s. At 75, who cares!

The tour took us to the Vasa Museet (museum). This is a structure built to house a 64 gun war ship that took its maiden voyage in 1628. The Swedish ship sailed for 25 minutes. Yes, the ship was unstable, too heavy, and sank shortly after it left port. Actually it never got out of port. I am used to seeing displays honoring great accomplishments. Maybe you have gone to the Smithsonian and seen Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” or Chuck Yeagar’s “Glamorous Glennis” (in which he broke the sound barrier). But a museum to honor a ship that was a total failure? The ship might not have been seaworthy but it was and still is quite beautiful.

Ornate sculpture on the side of the ship. Not bad for something that is about 400 years old and spent about 340 years underwater.
Rear of the ship is also a true work of art.

We then headed to dinner at Villa Godthem (Rosendalsvägen 9, 115 21 Stockholm). The food was very good. Lobster soup followed by Swedish Meatballs, and Chocolate Mousse cake.

Apparently they forgot the soup part of my serving.
Swedish Meatballs. The red glob was a portion of lingonberries (in the same family as blueberries and cranberries). I was told Swedes love them. Maybe I am part Swedish?

I am now in a place I have been looking forward to visiting all day. Yes, I am in bed.

Goodnight all. Or good afternoon to you.