I started off my europe trip wanting to make the most of every day and not waste time just for the sake of it. However after having travelled to a few stops now I found myself wishing I was back in bed and not heading for the bus stop, before 8am and in the rain.
Still Sweden was calling my name and with just a hint of sun recorded on the weather forecast for Stockholm I was keen to exchange my hoodie and jeans for a singlet and shorts. After a quick breakfast at the Copenhagen train station I said goodbye to my new friend Caitlin and headed off to catch my 5+ hour train ride to Stockholm.
Slowly the train passed from the wet and cold of Denmark into the warmth of Sweden (it’s weird to be saying that given I just think of Sweden as being cold). As the hours passed I found myself looking out the window admiring the beautiful scenery. Green green fields for as far as the eye could see rolled by my window, reminding me that not all of the world is suffering from the drought that has plagued my beloved Australia for several years.
Reaching Stockholm train station in all of it’s sunny glory I made a quick stop to grab yet another different currency from the cash machine. After that is where I managed to walk around and around Stockholm train station and surrounds, unable to find the street that would lead me to my bed for the night.
What made it worse was the 5pm reception closing time on my hostel. Slowly the clock ticked on from 3pm to 4pm as I began to get sweaty, confused and just plain fed up. I swear train stations are setup to confuse backpackers as the exit to the street I required was hidden downstairs and over through a narrow little walkway.
With my orientation restored I made a quick march in the direction of my hostel where I could dump my gear and relax, before heading back out to walk the streets and get my bearings. As it turned out my hostel was rather well located at the top of Drottninggatan street, which is one very long street full of shops ranging from restaurants to tourist haunts and department stores.
Deciding to head in the other direction and loop around the town I wandered the streets finding small parks and different views of Stockholm. Stopping at the Stockholm Observatory for a moment I rested my legs and took in the setting sun as it fled across the rooftops of Stockholm.
From here I headed down into the streets passing churches and buildings, climbing stairs and street curbs until finally making it back to my hostel where I crawled into my tiny 6 bed dorm and slept the night away.
Stockholm’s one of my favorite cities. I visited there a few years ago and June and was fascinated to walk around at 10 oclock at night and it still be daylight. It’s such a clean and beautiful city! Did you hit up the ice bar while you were there?
Hi Laura. No I didn’t see the ice bar, didn’t even know it was there to be honest. I did spend some serious time pounding the pavement but you’ll hear more about that in the next couple of posts 🙂
I’m used to daylight dropping out around 9ish back home so for it to be still light at 10 was crazy. Definatly enjoyed Stockholm but need more time to see if I really love it or if it was just the people I met that made me enjoy my time there.
That last photo is gorgeous–so colorful! Glad you made it before 5!!!
I know Andi. I sat there for about 30min just looking out over the buildings. The colors were just amazing at that time of night.
I heart the top photo above your title. Kudo’s Aussie!
Thanks Hogga. It was just a random shot I took playing with my camera on the train.
Stockholm! I’ve just back from it.. there is so nice walking)
Hey Natalie. It was a great place for sure. I want to go back and spend some more time there and see a bit more.