STOCKHOLM – 5 September
This time the city really is a long way from the port as we docked in Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm. The ship moored in the bay and we were tendered in. We took the shuttle into Stockholm which took 50 mins along a four lane motorway most of the way. Even we couldn’t walk that! What a beautiful city it is. Stockholm is scattered across a series of 14 islands where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic. On the way in on the ship you pass many islands on which there appear to be holiday homes with jetties, guess it is like cruising in the Sounds, very pretty. The original and historical part of Stockholm is Gamla Stan Island. The city was founded here in the 13th century and has cobbled streets and the Royal Palace. The Stockholm Cathedral is also here as is the parliament and other imposing buildings. Our Bus Driver informed us that most people speak English fluently and they never dub English language films, they just use Swedish sub-titles. He was right about the English language as everyone we spoke to immediately replied in perfect English. Everyone accepted Euros but gave change in Krona which was a bit of a pain, however Moya managed to spend our krona. Stockholm would be one of our favourites if we had to have favourites.
One thing that you notice throughout the Baltic are the numbers of ships of all shapes and sizes. We have counted up to 20 ships in our view at any one time. Many are Ferries that ply between the various countries. They are about the size of the Cook Strait ferries but some are bigger. There are so many of them you wonder how they make money for the owners. It must be a popular way to travel.