Jessica's 3rd leg: Sweden and trains
We initially planned to fly to Bangkok from Copehnagen, but they had flights from Stockholm too so...why not. Also, Victoria invited us to stay with her in Gothenberg. It was the perfect excuse to use the Swedish rail system.
We took the SJ last year to go from Stockholm to Gothenberg and I. Loved.It. First class was affordable. The fast train goes silently through the Swedish countryside, rocking gently around corners. Coffee, Team, water and fruit are complimentary and the seats are huge. If you pay extra, you can get a lovely meal with METAL cutlery! Such luxury!
Look how cute the meal is!
Rebecca and I had to take the Danish system to Malmo, crossing the Oresund bridge (site of the TV show, The Bridge). Arriving to Swedish loudspeaker announcements doesn't sound like a warm welcome, but it made us so relaxed. Is my Swedo-philia showing yet?
We spent a lovely day and a half with Victoria, David and their kids, hitting Swedish must-dos like
- Drinking Swedish beer in a badtunna, an outdoor fire-heated bath tub
- Having cheese and bread for breakfast (and lunch and dinner)
- Fika in a downtown cafe (mid-morning coffee and cake)
- Racing in swimsuits through the cold night into a hot sauna
- Riding in a Volvo bus
- Letting a man make you a sandwich #equality
We took another train to Stockholm, where we didn't do much apart from shiver and spend an hour trying to find those little melamine trays in a neutral pattern.
Recommendations
Gothenberg Botanical Gardens
I need to stop skipping botanical gardens, they have boring names but lovely contents. Gothenberg's has a large greenhouse filled with beautiful tropical plants. There's sculpture, playgrounds and beautiful walkways in the heart of the city. Botaniska Tradgarden on Trip Advisor.
HTL Hotel Stockholm
I found this hotel via Petite Passport, and stayed there in 2014. Visiting again was just as plesant. The hotel skips the fuss and focuses on what you need, an apple TV, lots of hooks and fragrant bath products. It's really convenient to the train station and the shopping district, and has a delicious breakfast buffet (extra charge). HTL hotels website.
