Month: May 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.

Skol! Our Trip to Scandinavia Day 1. “That Was a Long Day!”

by reissmd, posted in Stockholm, Sweden

Well seems like it was just last month that I was blogging about our trip to New Orleans for the ACP meeting.  Actually it was last month.  Today, actually last night, we left for a trip to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.  Neither of us have ever been to these countries so it should be an interesting adventure.  We are once again using Tauck tours.  I remembered my mother talking about enjoying the Tauck vacations so we gave them a try last year when we travelled to Croatia.  That was a fun trip so we are giving them another chance.  I know some of my friends prefer to set up their own vacations so they can dictate the itinerary but that can be so much work and sometimes quite expensive.  Last year we investigated a private tour of Scandinavia and a two week trip was going to cost us an unspeakable amount of money.  I didn’t even bother to reply to the agent.  When the travel company followed up I told them they misunderstood my request, I wanted to visit Scandinavia, I didn’t want to buy it.  They offered to alter the tour to make it more affordable but we thought going to Croatia with Tauck was a better decision. 

The flight from LAX last night took us first to Copenhagen.  Our friend, Mike, was kind enough to give us a ride to LAX.  It was very fortuitous because he is quite strong and I don’t think I could have lifted our luggage into a cab.  The flight to Copenhagen was uneventful except for a brief period of severe turbulence.  Of course I was in the bathroom when it started making for an interesting excursion.  That being said the flight and service was quite good.  I guess these days if a door or window from the plane doesn’t come off and you don’t hit a helicopter when coming in for a landing it has been a good trip.  The crew of the SAS flight were very good.  I found out that SAS (Scandinavia Airline System) hires attendants from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.  The crew members all speak English but talk to each other in their native tongue.  The languages are similar enough for our Swedish flight attendant to understand her Danish co-worker even though they are speaking 2 different languages.  Apparently not that different.  

In Copenhagen we had a 3 hour layover until departing for Stockholm. Patrice occupied herself by reading her book, checking emails and Facebook, and ignoring my whining.  

The flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm was also uneventful (I am very happy to report) and we were met at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) by our driver Sven (I made that up since I didn’t hear him say his name).  He quickly took Patrice’s luggage and carrier, leaving me to fend for myself.  

Sven or Bjorn, or whatever his name, putting Patrice’s luggage in the car while good old what’s his name brings up the rear.

We made it to the hotel and I am now chilling in our room. I need some sleep.  Our trip starts tomorrow. Something about his hotel makes me feel at home. See below.

Bar and Restaurant Reiss. How perfect of a start.

See you tomorrow, if I wake up.