Day 9: Stockholm has so much to offer

After just one day in the Swedish capital, we can already say that even a week is not enough to visit all the important places.

But let's start from the beginning.

The first morning in Stockholm started off grey, but with a rich breakfast - two types of bread, cheese, more than one type of jam, juice, tea, and eggs.

Afterwards, we took the train to the city center, more specifically to the island of Djurgården. Here, we visited the Vasa Museum, where a huge sailing ship from 1628 forms the core of the exhibition. The Vasa, built for King Gustav II Adolf from the wood of about 1000 oak trees, managed to sail only 1500 meters on its maiden voyage before tipping over and taking about 30 people to their deaths in the Stockholm harbor basin.

The 69-meter long ship was then forgotten and was not salvaged until 1961. The museum, specially built for the very well-preserved ship, now provides information about its construction, salvage and restoration, as well as historical background. Some of the heads of the people who sank with the Vasa have been reconstructed, and through examinations of bones, teeth, and personal belongings, their gender, age, size, eating habits, and in some cases their profession or social status have been determined.

Furthermore, numerous items from the salvaged ship are used to illustrate life and work on board a warship of that time. It doesn't seem to have been particularly fun, especially after two days of playing backgammon in calm weather.

The reason for the flawed maiden voyage was also revealed: the Vasa was too narrow and therefore not stable enough. The head shipbuilder died before the maiden voyage, but even the initially surviving captain didn't get very far...

By the way: it wasn't just men on board the Vasa when it sank.

Next, we chose to visit the Royal Armory, which is located in the basement of the palace. After a short tram ride and a small lunch break with wraps on a park bench, we saw the lavishly decorated royal carriages, various rider and horse armor, as well as a multitude of old (and not so old) clothing of the royal family. Firearms, weapons and knives were also on display, but personally, we liked the carriages the best.

After being systematically evacuated at 5:00pm, we discreetly positioned ourselves by the barrier that was set up due to the Stockholm Half Marathon. Here, we clapped dutifully for the strange running people and had a lot of fun not having to participate.

Since the palace is located at the edge of the old town, we also took a short walk there. As hunger was beginning to set in, we briefly went to the main train station to book a boat tour for tomorrow at the tourist information, before deciding together on a restaurant.

In the end, we chose "Meatballs for the people" in Södermalm, the hostel neighborhood of Stockholm, lovingly called SoFo by the locals. Despite being on a waiting list, we quickly got a place at the bar; the restaurant is popular and well-known throughout the city.

We ordered, as it should be, meatballs, which were served classically with mashed potatoes, cream sauce, lingonberries, and pickles. Funny enough, the meat is always changing here; we had veal and deer, but there's also, for example, elk, bear, or reindeer.

Originally, we planned to visit the "Fotografiska", but due to heavy rain and the long distance, we decided to head home. And here we are now, sitting on the couch, drinking tea, and about to watch another episode of "Lucifer" before going to bed.

Conclusion of the day: Stockholm is damn beautiful, but also damn big!