The Man in the Yellow Cap Goes Nordic with the Family

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(written by Susan and posted by Eric)

Stockholm, barely blooming but sunny and warm continues with visits to the Vassa Museum.  Located on Stockholm's Museum Island, built across the harbor from Gamla Stan and the Swedish Royal family's city pied a terre.  We skipped that, the Vasa however deserves special mention.  The ship, built by King Gustov in the 17th century as the Swedes became a global power through their military and naval prowess. 

 FYI many of their kings were named Gustov so forgive me for not remebering which one he was.  

Anyway, building a world class navy became a driving force in the king's march into power.  He called for engineers and the day's primo shipbuilder to contruct the biggest war ship of the day. Gustov's ship began its maiden voyage from Stockholm harbor in early August 1628.  Loaded with stones in the hull for ballast, the heavy sails and two unexpected sqalls allowed the ship to list badly. Once the cannon openings were under water, the boat filled quickly and sank killing 33. Sailors, women and children among them, all drowned.   The ship was not found until the 1960's when technology allowed it to be raised. A building has been contructed around it with the original ship inside.  It's really remarkable to see.   

We walked around the harbor before leaving on an overnight train to Copenhagen.  Overnight trains sound so romantic and they can be however a booking misshap put us on a train from the early 1960's with no private sleeping area but in three not so charming semi-reclining seats for the overnight.  With no dining car, vending machines or water to be had, we were relieved to have brought water on board with us.  I am amazed at the people who can sleep all night sitting up, with the lights on, in their clothes in a train car with strangers but that's just me.  Peter fell asleep eventually, Eric fell asleep, I slept from 2-4AM when amazingly daylight filled the car.  Scandic Spring. Suprise.

Eventually we arrived in Copenhagen where we walked through a truly lovely park in springtime bloom. The walk surpisingly led us to the famous Little Mermaid sculpture in the harbor.  We did not set out looking for her but there she was, along with many tourists that we had cleverly avoided by walking a tourist free route that brought us to her.  Lucky we were. 

Danish Design Museum was not far so we visited that as well.  Lack of sleep began to get the better of us by then so onward to the next night's adventure, an overnight on another ship.  Another booking error  resulted in spending money unexpectedly but we did make the ship. We all grow weary of booking errors at this point. Now to sleep, tomorrow we wake up in Oslo. 



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