A beautiful blue day to explore the Stockholm Archipelago! We cruised beyond the city and viewed the vacation homes, quiet coves, rocky outcroppings, and others out enjoying the day on their boatOur ferry stopped at 4-Brygga (piers) serving small communities but we decided to just go along for the ride and not get off.We returned to Gamla Stan, the old section of town, with many wonderful buildings including the royal palace.We enjoyed the very good Nobel Prize Museum, where artifacts and information highlight many of the achievements that were awarded.Alva Myrdal was born in Uppsala, Sweden. She co-won this medal for all her global efforts to lead to nuclear disarmament: The nuclear race was a major concern, and she fought for nuclear weapons-free zones in Europe. The world needed that in 1982 — and still does today!There are 5 types of medals awarded: Peace, Medicine, Literature, Physics, Chemistry. In 1895, Alfred Nobel stated in his will that the returns on his capital were to be distributed annually as prizes to those who have “conferred the greatest benefit to mankind”.Since 1943, IKEA creations have helped make everyday life better for many people — spreading the “Flat Pack” and common sense from Sweden to around the world.We stayed a bit out of the center in a quiet Marriott Courtyard Hotel, enjoying this view from our room.The bridge we could see, Riddarfjardens Vasterbron, from our walk thru the park from dinner at an Italian restaurant – on the way to Ralambshovs Parken next to our hotel.Pointing at our hotel on the Stockholm City Model — a pleasant 20 minute walk to city center. Or we became masters of the SL transportation system with trains, subway (t-ban), trams, ferries, and buses! A great 7-day pass, well designed app, and we appreciated the value and convenience it added to our visit.Can’t beat this setting for FIKA! enjoying a great Cinnamon Bun with Cappuccino watching the local river traffic. Waffle cafe at the marina near Nobel Parken.We crossed over to another island which has the Vasa Museum. This masterpiece sunk on its maiden voyage on its way out of the harbour — it made 1500 meters before it sank!!! It was rediscovered and recovered 333 years later. With much archeology research and preservation, the museum has been hosting this well preserved ship since 1990.This is a model of what the warship looked like in 1628 when it sank. There is a lot of detail to the symbolism this ship represented. It was commissioned by King Gustavus Adlophus, who never got to see it — since he was off in Poland fighting a war against his cousin Sigismun.There are 64 guns on three levels, the ship is high at 172 feet, and too skinny which made it unstable with gusts of wind.The Vasa museum has exhibit on life in sailors in 1628, with types of food they ate, how it was salvaged, how it is preserved — really a detailed and interesting museum. click on the link to learn more.Stockholm sparkles as the sun fades — we’re on the overnight sailing to Turku, Finland on the Viking Line’s ferry ‘Glory’. We had great time and weather exploring Sweden.
