Arriving in Stockholm

Wednesday September 27 was rainy when we left Oslo on the 7:32 a.m. train to Stockholm.  It was a very pleasant trip.  The train was not crowded and the WIFI was working.  We arrived at 1:30 p.m., just 15 minutes late.  After getting our bearings in the very large Central Station, we took the Metro to our Airbnb.  It was sunny in Stockholm with a high of 19C.

Stockholm has a population of around 1.7 million.  The city is built on 14 islands which are separated only by a short walk over one of 57 bridges.  Each of the main islands has its own character.

Arriving at Central Station Stockholm

The Stockholm subway system is said to be the world's longest art exhibit- 110 kilometres long.  Each station has unique art on its platforms, walls or waiting hall.  Since 1957, artists have played a key role when new stations have been built.  Over time, the older stations built without any art have been updated with statues, murals and installations.  

Metro Station with murals all along the mall

When we got off the Metro at our stop, we  saw in the distance the Innovation Tower, a residential tower completed in 2018 that offers the highest living spaces in the city.  It has a stepped profile as it rises, with protruding living rooms with panoramic windows and recessed terraces.  According to my Wallpaper Guide, the apartments have unusually high ceilings for a building of this nature, to compensate for the lack of daylight in the Swedish winter.

Definitely a show stopper

We are staying in a studio apartment in Vasastan close to the Norrmalm area.  We are quite centrally located near the Barnnusviken river.

Our studio apartment with lots of light!

Kitchen area

Modern Bathroom

View from our window

We headed out to a lovely bakery on a pedestrianised street with a number of restaurants.

Lillebrors Bageri


Very nice looking bread in a lovely display

Fabulous Swedish buns

We then went searching for a place to eat.  We were very tired as we had to wake up early to get ready for the train trip.  We stopped at Colette on a busy street near the Metro stop, and had a very good omelette.  The server also gave us some recommendation for food stores and cafés.  

We sat outside on the patio.  

Café Colette - early dinner with a glass of wine pour moi and cider for Allan

We both had very good omelettes 

We went to bed early.  I am posting this on Thursday September 28, Allan's birthday.  We are heading out to Gamla Stan, the Old Town, to take a Free Tour.  We will probably spend the afternoon on that island and then head to the island of Sodermalm where we have a dinner reservation at Woodstockholm, part furniture store and small bistro with a themed menu that changes regularly.  The owners are also furniture makers who make a "Woodstock" chair.  Next blog will be on Friday.


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