Day 178/17. This beats the space shuttle Atlantis.
Last year I was lucky enough to visit the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Cape Canaveral. I remember the huge impact physically seeing and smelling the thing had on me.
Well, today that was easily beaten.
The Vasa was the most expensive and richly ornamented naval vessel built in Sweden in its time (commissioned in 1625). Constructed over 3 years using over 1,000 Oak trees, the lavishly decorated Vasa sailed forth on her maiden voyage on August 10 1628 on managed only 1,300 metres into Stockholm harbour before being hit by a gust of wind and capsising. It was a cock up, she was way too top heavy.
333 years later she was raised and restored into one of the most incredible things I have seen. The Swedes have done a fantastic job of restoring her and what you see today in the centre of Stockholm is incredibly 98% original from 1628. The museum is superb.
Back home, we live close to Portsmouth and the Mary Rose. For those of you that have seen it, well, that is just a pile of wet planks compared to the Vasa.
This ship we saw today is now almost 389 years old. Simply amazing.
I cannot think of a sight that will beat her.
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