Just got back from Stockholm about 2 hrs ago. As I upload the photos into my computer and shutterfly account, I shall blog on the trip to Stockholm before I carry on with the updates of the life in Luleå from the day I arrived.
The train ride to Stockholm was horrendous. It was the worst train ride that I had ever taken in my life. Comparative to the bullet trains in Japan, this train is way below standards. Seats were uncomfortable, leg space was not sufficient, the back rest of the seat not adjustable, and the “best part” is the train ride was 14 hrs +, and I got to endure all these discomfort for the rest of the night. Can you imagine how torturing it was, and I have still another train ride back to Luleå. The service was bad too – we booked the tickets through their website and they did not accept foreign cards due to some recent frauds. In the end, we can only do it through telephone booking and for each ticket we had to pay 219krs instead of 199krs, which is an additional of 40krs per person (2-way ticket). No matter how I try to reason with them over the phone, they refuse to waive the extra 40krs away. On the train had my most expensive sandwich in my life which cost me 40krs. Haha, don’t know why I splurge so much on a piece of sandwich, but at the moment I just feel like eating it 😉
Reached Stockholm at 7.45am, and all the shops are still closed. Surprisingly, it was much colder in Stockholm than in Luleå. While waiting for the tourist information counter to open, we took some “jump shots”.
– Alan, Chuan Kai, Vincent jumping up with joy –
Took quite some time to find a cheap and good place to stay. This hostel was an interesting one – it’s a ship stationed by the harbour. In short, it’s like a low class cruise with no entertainment, except for rooms and a small restaurant. Due to some unforseen circumstances, we stayed 1 night in a private room for 195krs, and another night in the dorms for 160krs, which is considered relatively cheap. What astonished us was that we were supposed to provide our own bed linens and pillow cases, if not we have to rent from them, which cost us another 40krs 😦 Surprisingly, it’s a common practice across all hostels in Sweden.
– Our beds in one corner of the dormitory –
Weather was turning better with the rain stopping and we decided to make our 1st archipelago island trip – Grinda. We boarded the boat at 3pm and it took us about 2hrs before reaching Grinda. We could only stay on the island for 90mins because the last boat leaves Grinda at 1830hrs. But luck was not on our side, just as I mentioned the rain stopped in Stockholm, the rain went to Grinda with us. *Jinxed*
Went round the island, taking quick snapshots in the rain and poor Vincent was tortured by the strong and cold winds. In short, it was a disappointing outing. It could have been better if the sun is out.
Things weren’t always on the bad side. As we made our way back to the jetty in Grinda, we came across this friendly old lady who was picking wild blue berries, and she offered some berries for us to taste. The berries were a little sour and it’s my first time eating fresh berries plucked from the bushes. On the way back to Stockholm, the weather started to clear and I was back in action with my camera. Lots of beautiful sceneries with the sun setting across the horizon and over the small little islands.
By the time we alighted in Stockholm jetty, it was around 9pm and my last proper meal was yesterday lunch at STUK. Rushed straight away to “Max Hamburger” – Swedish most popular fastfood and grabbed a set meal + a hamburger, haha and I was totally not bothered by the cost. Anyway it was Alan’s birthday and so we gave him a small treat at Max Hamburger. A bit cheapo but can’t be helped because most restaurants were closed and we were on a tight budget, but I believe it’s the thoughts that count. Coincidentally, all four of us will be celebrating our 23rd birthday in Sweden. Alan’s just passed, next will be Vincent (12 Oct), followed by Chuan Kai (1 Dec), and finally my turn (12 Dec).
– Max Hamburger: Best fastfood in Sweden –
The day ended tired, really tired especially so after the torturing train ride. Believe me, the ride really sucks.
Memories for Life 