Elche, Elche!!!!

The vacation is almost over. However, we absolutely had to see elk again. Dad looked up something on the way south and we spontaneously stopped here to visit an elk park. We are in Markaryd, 100 km from Halmstad. About 250 km from Gothenburg. After a quick lunch break at the worst McDonald's in Sweden (urgently in need of renovation, stale Sprite, ugh coffee), we arrived at the campsite around 2 pm. Quick check-in. Jacked up the car, had a quick snack, and off to the elk park. Only a 10-minute drive. Arrived at 2:58 pm. The last tour of the day started at 3 pm. Now that's what I call timing. You can either ride the train through the elk area or drive through with your own car. But then you won't have a guide. Without any big expectations of seeing an elk at all, we sat down in the train. Before that, the ranger distributed branches. What now? Can we feed them? After just 5 minutes, mom elk and baby elk were lying at the roadside. Totally bored. Body language saying "get lost," not hungry. All the elks there are hand-reared, totally tame, calm companions. The ranger addressed them all by name. A big elk stag happened to be named Philip. It was amazing when it stood next to us. How big they are, on their long stilts. Next, we went to see a calf born in May with its mom. They let us feed them. The kids were excited, the adults too. Through the ranger, we also learned a lot. Elks can run up to 60 km/h. They have to in the wild to escape from wolves. Great trip! Dad totally happy-his holiday wish fulfilled!

Our campsite here was completely empty at 2 o'clock. Now it's completely full. The Swedes are having a weekend again. It's so nice here. So peaceful by the lake with ducks as neighbors.