When you go to bed at night you expect it to be dark. When you wake up at 10am in the morning however you would be fairly comfortable in assuming there would be light around. Yet when I woke from my slumber my first morning in Stockholm it was pitch black. Why you ask? Well I failed to notice that my dorm room had no windows the previous day. I think it was for this reason that I managed to sleep so late for a change.
Still it was my first full day in Stockholm, and with the sun shining bright I was keen as mustard to get out there and explore. My first task was to navigate the long road of shops and people that lead me down to the Stockholm Palace.
Wandering over the bridge and through the great archways I made my way to watch the Swedish Royal Guards perform their changing of the guard show, and what a show it was. With a marching band and lots of really weird walking around the entire event went on for a good 45 minutes or more.
From here it was time to explore Stockholm Palace, which is one of the largest still used for its original purpose. For a fee you can wander around the Treasury (don’t bother its tiny), the Armoury and inside part of the Palace of course. It’s a shame that most places like this do not allow pictures as there really are some amazing rooms to explore. I also got lucky by making the free tour of the inside of the palace. It really does make for a better experience as you learn about what the rooms have been used.
After getting my fill on all things royal I made my way to old town in search of some food and a place to get out of the heat. Luckily after finding millions of antique shops (some great some really bad) hidden down little alleyways I stumbled upon a feed and a nice cold drink.
I then spent the rest of the day wandering back to the hostel via the shopping area. It was rather chill to wander the shops just like back home, some things are just the same no matter where you are. Along the way I even picked up a bargain new t-shirt from H&M and scored my souvenir bottle opener for Stockholm.
Last on the list of things to do was visit the supermarket to stock up on food for the few days I was planning to send here in Stockholm. I was doing well too; had some nice rolls, a bit of meat and cheese and even a couple of beers to relax the night away.
Then I got to the checkout and was confronted with a self-service checkout…. in swedish. After some rather obvious dumb looks at the screen a lovely older lady came over and helped me find my food on the checkout screen and tell me everything else I had to do. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t understand her and she couldn’t understand me, we both understood what was going on.
It’s funny how such random moments stick out so much. I’d visited the Palace and old town all day yet that brief moment in the supermarket really made my day. Just re-enforces the fact that when your travelling EVERYTHING is an experience.
Wow, you’re so lucky to go to Sweden, how did you find the costs there? I’ve heard it’s expensive.
Hey Ayngelina, cost was crazy expensive. I have a story on that in my next couple of posts but lets just say I’ve never had such an expensive load of laundry in my life.
Sweden can be expensive, but if you know where you look, you can live very very cheap as well – I have lived here off and on for the last few years (cos Sofia is Swedish) and have never really found it to be a problem. 🙂 – both Denmark and Norway are much more expensive.
Hey Nathan, I know I only visited Stockholm but I think it was the most expensive hostel I booked on a value for money scale. In saying that I like to book last minute.
I think its the same with all places though. Back home in OZ I know the expensive places and the cheap places, its all about the local knowledge.
Keen as mustard…never heard that expression before haha! I love that b&w shot of the street. Glad that woman helped you mate!!!
Andi… You’ve never heard that saying with all your time spent in Australia?
Thanks for the comment on the photo too. I only just found it in my collection of photos when I was searching for something else from Stockholm.
I really like your photos in this post, especially the B&W one (Andi, this is the second day in a row you’ve beaten me to saying the same thing 🙂
Glad you managed a sleep in! Doesn’t happen often on the road — at least for me sharing rooms with guys who snore O:-)
Thanks Heather, I’ve been meaning to post more B&W shots but keep finding others I want to use instead.
You just need to find a room full of girls who don’t snore. I got lucky and only encountered one or two people that snored on my trip.
i agree the black and white shots are superb, very effective.
am loving your blog!! I enjoy the way you write & have to agree about the pictures inside some of these places…I bemoan that frequently. good luck with your tour I look forward to more fun posts. you can find me in #London and on 3daysinlondon.info am following you on twitter @3days_in_london
Cheers Cindy
Thanks Cindy. I’ll be sure to catch up with you while I’m here in England 🙂
Thanks for the kind words too, makes writing much more enjoyable when you know someone is enjoying it.
I like random moments like that, total strangers helping out for no reason but sheer kindness. 🙂 LOVE your photo of the alley!! Makes me want to wander happily for hours with no destination in mind.
Hey Krista, I’ve had a few moments like that while travelling and they all stick in my mind so clearly. Its amazing what a few moments from someone can do for you.
Did you see the changing of the guard? I bring it up because I have to say it was surprisingly weak sauce.
The soldiers just weren’t that crisp in look or action. Compared to Buckingham Palace or any changing of the guard in Washington DC, it just wasn’t up to snuff.
Regardless, Stockholm was full of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, second to Denmark. Agree or disagree?
Hey Garret, I did see the changing of the guard and I have to agree it was overly boring in the end and I didnt stay till the end. It just went on and on and on…
I think I’d disagree too, Estonia has some rather stunning women.
Great Post Aussie Nomad! I like the picture of the guards. I love seeing pictures of castle and I particularly love Stockholm Palace.