Stockholm - Changing of the guard

Another sunny and bright morning in Stockholm, although rather windy. After a leisurely breakfast we walked to Vasamuseet, a museum about the royal warship Vasa that sunk in Stockholm's harbour in 1628 on her maiden voyage just 1300m after setting sail. This boat lay at the bottom of the sea until 1961when it was finally lifted out of the water. It took another 17 years to restore the boat which now sits in this museum. This is one of the very popular attractions in Stockholm and it is indeed very interesting to see.

As it is compulsory for all children to learn English at school from an early age, everyone here speaks near perfect English and with barely a trace of an accent, it is quite incredible to hear. They also learn a third language later on. This makes Stockholm a very easy city to visit for English speaking visitors, as in public place like museums all signs are also in English. They were even conducting English tours at the Vasa Museum.

We then walked to the old town to see the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace. This occurs every day and it turned out to be the most wonderful spectacle. Stockholm is quite an expensive city for foreigners to visit, yet this changing of the guards ceremony turned out to be almost a mini military tattoo with the most accomplished marching band playing music which lasted for 45 minutes - and it was all free. Besides playing military marching music they also played a hit by Abba in true Swedish style! I have added an extra photo of this event.

We then wandered through the charming lanes of the old town (Gamla Stan) which were very colourful and full of people enjoying lunch at pavement cafes - I have added an extra photo of this area. Gavin and I walked into the main part of the city to see the shopping area, and I took a photo of the Opera House which is also an extra photo. We walked so much today, that we are now relaxing at the hotel and we are about to go have a light supper in the hotel.

We have all enjoyed Stockholm very much, it is such a beautiful vibrant city, with so much to see - definitely worth a return visit. In the summer it is alive with people out and about enjoying the sunshine and taking cruises on boats. Gavin visits it in winter for work and he says it is also very pretty in winter with the snow and atmospheric lights everywhere.

We fly home tomorrow after a wonderful holiday - it has been one of our best holidays. (I cannot bear to think about the laundry I will have to tackle when I get home! )