Early breakfast and then back to cabin to get ready for day out in Stockholm. Our “Stockholm on Your Own” excursion tickets indicated that we had to meet in the Stardust Lounge at 8:30. We arrived at 8:20 as they announced we could leave, get excursion stickers (#15 for us) and go to tender departure location. Cabin cards scanned and then onto the tender for the short ride to shore. Buses were lined up nearby on Nynashamn dock so we boarded and waited for departure. Ride was less than an hour. We were dropped off in the city near a large department store. (That one did not have free toilets.) The stop for Hop On Hop Off bus was not too far away so we walked there and waited about 15 minutes for its arrival. Used discount coupon and were able to pay in Euros even though the currency is Swedish krona. We rode two stops on the Blue Line to the Vasa Museum , a recommended place to visit. Narrow road with little room for the bus to get through, but did drop us quite close to the museum. Impressive sight of the Vasa, a ship that sank August 10, 1628, in Stockholm harbor while on its maiden voyage. The wreck was salvaged 333 years later and reconstructed (95% original) for display in the museum. There are many interesting exhibits in the museum about the ship and Swedish history. We left after seeing about half of the exhibits and walked outside to check if the bus was there yet. There were many tour buses lined up along the curb so we couldn’t figure out if the bus would be able to get through. We walked down the hill and saw the bus coming so began to walk back to the stop but didn’t see the bus coming so looked back and saw that the driver was letting passengers off down there. Got on and the driver backed up to turn around and avoid having to go through all the traffic. As we rode, we didn’t hear much with the headphone sound system, but enjoyed the ride. Stopped at the place where can change to yellow line, but decided to walk across the bridge to see the outside of the Royal Palace and then walked back, intending to get back on a Blue Line bus. There was a Yellow bus there so Steve asked how long that ride would take, knowing we had less than 2 hours left of our time until we had to be at departure location. It was about an hour so we got on the bus to ride for the tour. Got off at Stop #10 and walked back to where we had to meet the Excursion bus. Stop in Pizza Hut for (free) toilet and a store to buy sandwiches and drink for lunch. Ate it while waiting with others for the bus. We rode on a comfy double decker bus back to the port. I talked with a crew member who works in the Kids Program on the ship. Interesting.
When we arrived back at the Nynashamn dock, we had to hand our passports to Swedish officials who looked at them and stamped them with the Swedish stamp. Not sure why they did this but think it might be because it’s our last port stop before arriving back in Dover.
There was a “special $10 sale” going on so we went to check it out. Very crowded as if they were giving stuff away. People pushing and acting as if they were getting such a great deal. (CHEAP watches, handbags, sunglasses, scarves, ties, jewelry) Got out of there very quickly. Crazy place!
When we arrived at Seven Seas, we were asked if we’d were willing to share a table. Yes, of course. Joined other people who were from Germany, UK, and Ft. Myers, Florida. Enjoyed our conversations.
Too late to go to early show so went back to cabin. Got camera out of safe and went to see vaudeville entertainer Richard Gauntlet. He was very funny and entertaining. Left there to go to Chocoholic Buffet at Four Seasons restaurant. We arrive about 10 minutes early but they were already open for guests. (No lines at all.) Ice sculptures but no chocolate ones. Lots of chocolate desserts but not as tasty as I wanted. Some people were piling their plates (they handed out large dinner plates) as if they never ate any desserts before. When we left there were long lines of people waiting to get in.
Back in cabin, watched a movie and went to bed later than usual, knowing I didn’t have to get up early as we will be at sea tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment