Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[Pushka]

The best looking crepe pancakes station

Hot meals

All the usuals.

Excellent bacon.

 

[Pushka]

Then it was off to the hoho boat. We decided against the bus. The boat is a great way to hit the main tourist spots.

On the way. Parliament. As you can see it is a stunning day.





Then on the boat with the first stop - Vasa Museum.
There wasn't a queue and we were quickly inside.
Wow. First thing that struck me was the smell of wood.

 

[Pushka]

The crowds on the ground floor were the worst and we were able to avoid them pretty much.
A replica




Captains quarters and dining area




When it was built it was the most well equipped naval vessel in the world. We were curious as to why it sank so quickly. We searched for clues amongst the crowd but the details were seemingly hidden. The museum is about the restoration and not the destruction it seems. Around 30 people died onboard and most were saved. It sank in the Harbour after all.

The average height of men was around 5'5" and the recreation of one of the deck areas was so low we were constantly ducking.

 

[Pushka]

More pictures.






We left the museum not knowing why it sank. We had to google. Wiki told us the ship was very unstable and no one was brave enough to tell the King. Trials were aborted due to safety. No wonder the story is hidden.

 

[Pushka]

Then it was back on the boat to get some kulta. Yep.


And we did karaoke, admittedly in a private booth.




I really love ABBA - their music is feel good so what is wrong with that.
Abba is near the Amusement Park that had some terrifying rides. Even watching it from the boat we were all groaning as one reached reached the bottom.

Back out across the Harbour.

 

[Pushka]

Then back for food. Pizza and wine at 1.30pm. We are on holidays.


So far we've seen three Radisson Blu Hotels.
Ours


The Viking


And another on the Harbour

Too confusen.

 

[OZDUCK]

Then it was off to the hoho boat. We decided against the bus. The boat is a great way to hit the main tourist spots.

On the way. Parliament. As you can see it is a stunning day.
View attachment 100920

View attachment 100921

View attachment 100922
Then on the boat with the first stop - Vasa Museum.
There wasn't a queue and we were quickly inside.
Wow. First thing that struck me was the smell of wood.
View attachment 100923

View attachment 100924

Thanks for the lovely photos of Stockholm. When we saw the Vasa it was still being sprayed with preservatives etc and had no rigging up etc. Admittedly, that was, goodness me, 40 years ago.

 

[Major]

When I saw it in 1970 it was just the hull. It was being sprayed with water 24/7 to stop it drying out. I remember copping some of the water mist whilst walking around it.

 

[Pushka]

The restoration phase has been massive and still ongoing. We were reading that the timbers are settling as it's designed to be in water (obviously) and not on land. The forward area I think it was is twisting. Also one year where they had a rainy summer and more visitors than normal that oxidation was occurring on the wood so they needed to upgrade the airconditioning. I wonder if it's life expectancy now it's been restored will be less than underwater.

When I saw it in 1970 it was just the hull. It was being sprayed with water 24/7 to stop it drying out. I remember copping some of the water mist whilst walking around it.

Yes - they said that they needed to keep the wood damp for years to ensure the timbers didn't warp from drying too quickly.

They also stated the low salinity of the Baltic waters meant that the woodworm mollusc can't survive so it wasn't able to penetrate the timbers.

Why is it that the narrowest street in Stockholm attracts the most people to walk up it? Aren't humans quirky.

I also love karma. We were queued up at the hoho boat ramp. A Russian couple pushes past us. Clearly we were not in 'their' queue. They reached the front of the line - only to be told they'd queued for the wrong boat and not allowed to board. They were left forlornly at the dock as we motored away.

 

[fairbasa]

They do talk about why it sank in the museum but perhaps it's not particularly prominent. I remember seeing a video (perhaps a temporary display) reenacting an investigation/trial which occurred after it sank.

 

[Austman]

We left the museum not knowing why it sank. We had to google. Wiki told us the ship was very unstable and no one was brave enough to tell the King. Trials were aborted due to safety. No wonder the story is hidden.

AFAIK the King insisted on an extra gun deck. The extra weight made the ship top heavy.

And another on the Harbour

That's the Strand Hotel. I suppose when the hotel is a chain - there can be several of them!

As you can see it is a stunning day.

It's a pretty place when the weather is fine. And it can be stunning out on the archipelago - with 30,000 islands - some really tiny with a house on it. Some beautiful manor houses. Many of the homes are summer houses. So I hope you have fine weather tomorrow too!

 

[Pushka]

Thanks Austman. I've heard the sailaway is stunning. It's 7.35 am and pure sunshine. I read here that you lived here for 10 years. Lucky you but my it's expensive.

Celebrity told us a porky. They sent an email a few days ago stating that due to late arrival this morning (9am) there would be staggered embarkation and not to arrive before 2pm. Our deck.

The internet being the internet and I've checked Stockholm Port schedule just now and it arrived 40 minutes early at 6.20 am.

Tell us to come later by all means but don't make up the reason.

 

[OZDUCK]

When I saw it in 1970 it was just the hull. It was being sprayed with water 24/7 to stop it drying out. I remember copping some of the water mist whilst walking around it.

I thought that I would have bragging rights with seeing it in 1976 - foiled again.

 

[Pushka]

Our checkout is 12 noon and we plan on waiting until then. So going to have a leisurely breakfast then into the Central Train station to grab some chocolate and goodies. We are going to try out Uber to get to the Port - about 20 minutes away. My ANZ Amex card is being hokey right now but the attached Visa is fine.

 

[love_the_life]

Our checkout is 12 noon and we plan on waiting until then. So going to have a leisurely breakfast then into the Central Train station to grab some chocolate and goodies. We are going to try out Uber to get to the Port - about 20 minutes away. My ANZ Amex card is being hokey right now but the attached Visa is fine.

Hey, you'll be on board soon Raise a glass for me! (sigh)
I think ​Tony Hancock has some experience of Mr Uber. He mentioned that he had someone of that name pick him up

 

[Pushka]

So many ship pax staying here. And lobby is jam packed with ex cruisers waiting for rooms. Celebrity have created a log jam in the hotels by telling people not to arrive at the original time. But that is not their problem to deal with.

 

[Pushka]

Well that was amazing. We are already on board and it was just 30 mins since we checked out! Best ever embarkation.

 

[love_the_life]

Well that was amazing. We are already on board and it was just 30 mins since we checked out! Best ever embarkation.

And hit the bar while it's quiet

 

[Pushka]

Some pictures of the cabin before it gets messed up. It's just a regular balcony.




Nice toiletries - Gilbert and Soames


Shower door not curtain



Nice balcony although maybe it will be a little cool?

 

[Pushka]

Last of the cabin


We have all drinks included in our package but have hidden these in our room from MrP as we have to pay for those. Or replace them at the right time.

We saw the hideaway on our way to the cabin and it looked nice with its own coffee and tea area.




It's in the mid section centrum. I think it's a noisy place as it's right above the DJ.

Getting busier now.