Stockholm, Sweden - Day 2

Hello from a second day in Stockholm, Sweden! 

All aboard was at 1:30 PM so to make the most of the day it was going to need to start early. For me it began at about 6:30 AM on the balcony. The Viking ferry had just arrived full of passengers and their cars, and truck drivers and their trucks. Vehicles were going here, there, and everywhere, both leaving the ferry and lining up to join the ferry. 

The wind was cool and brisk but you can tell by the blue skies it might be a good day to do one more trip around on the HOHO bus. 

Such an organized process

By the time I got back from breakfast the clouds had started moving in. And the Hop On, Hop Off line was getting long.

It still wouldn't have kept me from another ride around the city, but Scooter did. He was having a bit of trouble yesterday trying to go up the ramp when we came back on the ship. Then this morning he wouldn't turn left. 

I'm sure it was a combination of things: 

*The gravel issue we encountered in Seydisfjordur, Iceland

*The buckled and uneven pavers we drove over in Honningsvag, Norway

*The muddy muck we ran into in Trondheim, Norway

*The metal ramps we climbed as we worked our way to the top of the cloudy mountaintop in Andalsnes, Norway

*The hills and constant cobblestones we encountered in Borholm, Denmark

*And the wet pavement we had to drive over here in Stockholm, Sweden yesterday

Geez, the guy has been through a lot! Since left turns are kind of an important thing I decided to stay on the ship and do some scooter maintenance. I covered the table with a pool towel and put him on top and took things apart and cleaned things up. Although I replaced the drive belt right before this trip - and it still looks good now - I took a chance and tightened the tension. I did some donuts in the cabin and I am optimistic we're all set. Fingers crossed.

That left me the rest of the morning and early afternoon for sitting in the sun and watching the happenings on the dock. Did you know there are trucks that move trailers around and then the driver turns his seat around and drives the other way to pick up the next load?

He's sitting in the cab facing (and driving) in the direction of the arrow. Wow.

My in-the-sun time on the balcony continued as we sailed away. To sail out of Stockholm the ship has to navigate hours worth of waterways. Such a pretty way to get in and out of a city. Here are just a few of the photos I took along the way.

Someone is eating on their balcony and its not me. 
Dang seagulls.

Tomorrow we'll be in Tallin, Estonia. It's another port where I had a no-you-can't-go accessible tour scheduled so I'll be coming up with something else to do. See you then!

Stockholm, Sweden - Day 1

Hello from Stockholm, Sweden!

Port security maybe?

As I was researching an alternative to my no-you-can’t-go tour I found there was really only one option - my good ole standby, the Hop On, Hop Off bus.

There they are!

The ship added it to their excursion list a couple days ago, but as before if you book through the ship you have to leave at the time they say. I wanted to go when I wanted to go so I did it independently.

The city of Stockholm is built on 14 islands. Who knew? While the HOHO bus didn’t get us to all of them it did give a nice overview of the city. Stockholm is a tall city with beautiful buildings so folks riding on the top level of the bus got a magnificent view. I stayed down below so my sights were limited. 

So many construction cranes

When I could, I focused on individual buildings.

  

Large boots on a roof? It’s the ABBA museum!

I also focused on buildings along roadways, alleyways, and waterways.

 

Archways were interesting…

 

 

as were signs.

Translation: “ Very limited access for bicycles at Slussen subway, Russian Guard, Another way”

 

I was planning on doing the whole loop and then going back and getting off the second time around but heavy rain started and changed my plans. And ended my picture taking.

We’re here overnight and since my HOHO ticket is good for 24 hours I might be able to take my second swing through the city tomorrow morning. Only time will tell - but it’ll be the weather calling the shots. See you then!