We started our day with a free walking tour of the "modern" (i.e. the last 400 years) Stockholm. These tours are fantastic introduction to a city. We had planned to do 3 different tours today but only did the first. The term 'free tour' is not quite true, it is expected that you tip the guide at the end of the tour, somewhere between 5 and 10 Euros is about the right amount, depending on the quality, it is interesting to watch others tip.
The tour started with a brief history of Sweden and Stockholm. Then first stop was outside a deparyment store called PUB (Andy took notice!). In fact PUB is the initials of Paul U Bergstrom who started the store over 100 years ago. The important thing about PUB is that Greta Garbo was working there before she was discovered by Hollywood. The new 100 Kroon note (Swedish currency worth about ~$15 AUD) will have her image, already the 100 note is being referred to as a "Garbo".
Second point of call was where they present the Nobel Prizes (Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Economics and Literature. The Peace prize is awarded in Oslo).
From there we went to the site where the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme was assinated. There is a plaque set in the footpath.
Next we went to an expensive area of Stockholm, before going to the site where the "Stockholm Syndrome" originated. All to do with a 5 day siege after a failed bank robbery. 2 robbers and 4 hostages (who became very protective of their captors).
The last stop was across the river from the Royal Palace. Overall a 9 out of 10 tour. Well worth it.
Instead of doing the next 2 tours we decided to do our usual roaming, see what we run into, tour. Once again it was a good decision.
We first tackled the "Old Town" , Gamla Stan. Lots of cobblestones, a palace, a few churches, the Nobel Museum, narrow streets and alleys, etc.. Very typical medieval old town. Very picturesque.
After the island of Gamla Stan we went over to Sodermalm, a very hip and happening area.
We had walked about 5 km South (in a straight line, we probably covered three times that distance) of our hotel, so back via Gamla Stan, St. Clara's curch which looked like it did lots of work for the homeless. We got back about 5 pm (~ 8 hours wandering.
Following a few "duty free purchased drinks" drinks, we headed out for the evening.
We left the hotel for dinner without a plan. Left or right? Let's try left. Next corner left, right or straight? Umm...straight. Next main road, we run into a parade of Classic US cars. Apparently on the last Friday of the month (May to August), car enthusiasts from all over Sweden drive up snd down this road showing off their vehicles. This being the first time in many months, to roughly estimate, there were at least 500 different cars. By the time we went back to our hotel (with our take away Thai curry) at about 11 pm they were still doing laps of the street.
Another great day, and it is amazing what you run into, especially if you turn away from the Tourist areas.
Cheers,
A & K.
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