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Day #10: Stockholm

Jun 20th, 2017 by

Today, we docked in Nynäshamn — a port about an hour (driving) south of Stockholm, which was an annoying change announced by NCL a little more than a month ago. In any case, we departed the ship (two mornings early) around 9am after the majority of passengers had left for the day. To get to Stockholm via taxi is a bit pricey (about $150-200 USD one way). It’s much cheaper (about $20 for the four of us one way) but more time consuming and a bit of a hassle via train. 


We opted to take the train, which was a mild misadventure thanks to credit cards not working at the mini mart that doubles as a ticket office and it being about a mile walk from the port (in our case walking with luggage in tow). After getting us sorted out, I spent time helping fellow cruise passengers figure out how to navigate into central Stockholm. Unfortunately, they’ll only have a few useable hours before they have to return to this ship. 

Us? We’ve got a day and a half! 

After our hour long train journey, we checked into our centrally and strategically located hotel near the train station. From there, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed out into Stockholm on a glorious day:


First, we visited the impressive Vasa Museum to view the well-preserved 1600s ship, which was found and raised over 300 years later:


The woodwork was spectacular (although they probably should have focused as much on seaworthiness since it sank 40 minutes into its maiden voyage): 


The museum was also very evocative and informative thanks to its displays, recreations, and the underlying scholarship that supports its work. 

Recreated great cabin (quarters for ship’s senior officers):


Examples of pigments used in paint of the time:

Next, we returned to Skansen, the world’s first (and one of its best) open air museums. You can read more about it from our prior visit. Also, on that page, you’ll note a photo of Emerson at 17 months:

That I’ve recreated here at 7 years:

I simply love that. 

Here are a few more views of Skansen, which is glorious in summer on a fine day:



They house Scandinavian animals too in naturalistic settings. Here’s a brown bear at close range:

For dinner, we had burritos at a local place called Zocala. It’s kind of like a like a fast causal Mexican (think Chipotle) with a slightly more “unusual” menu / combination of flavors. Still, it was decent and not wildly expensive for eating out in Scandinavia (about $50 for the four of us). 

Posted in Sweden | 3 Comments »

Day #9: Helsinki

Jun 19th, 2017 by

This morning we awoke to cloudy but thankfully not rainy skies in Helsinki, Finland. When we visited Helsinki six years ago, it was pretty much a complete washout –tremendous rain hampered our ability to do and see much of anything. 

Today was markedly better.

We took the shuttle bus from the port to downtown by the waterfront. From there we followed Rick Steves’s walking tour around the city, starting in Senate Square:

 

This square also houses the Lutheran cathedral:


From there, we rambled along the Esplanade, which is lined with some of Helsinki’s high-end shops and restaurants:


We then visited the art nouveau train station, which houses the most fabulous Burger King in the world (architecture, not food):


We then checked out some more modern Finnish design, including the famed Aalto’s Finlandia Hall. Emerson also got a chance to play in the nearby park after we ate a snack/lunch of fresh fruit that we’d purchased earlier in the day. 


After taking in a few more sights, we did a bit of shopping, especially appreciating Finland’s design culture (which greatly appeals to my minimalist and geometric tendencies).

We returned to this ship by late afternoon and packed for our early disembarkation tomorrow in Sweden. 

Posted in Finland, Getaway | No Comments »

Day #8: St. Petersburg

Jun 18th, 2017 by

Today, we visited the Hermitage, which is without question known as one of the finest museums in the world. Since our tour only started around noon, we had a leisurely morning aboard Getaway. Emerson was especially pleased to play mini golf with the course all to ourselves:


En route to the museum, we witnessed the gruesome aftermath of what we assume to be an accident (car vs. pedestrian). For some reason, the authorities failed to cover the body of the victim, who’d sustained extensive head trauma. While I’ve seen that sort of thing, it came as an unpleasant shock to Libby. Thankfully, Emerson was looking in the opposite direction and didn’t notice the accident. All in all, not a happy start to a tour. 

But, life goes on…

The Hermitage was unsurprisingly crowded with visitors and tour groups:

However, it’s still a spectacular space with amazing art and artifacts. 

This is actually a clock, which moves moves mark time (e.g. the peacock displays its tail, etc.):

The room that contained it was pretty spectacular (though crowded):

More lavish interior:


I really liked this Ribera (not that it’s anywhere near the most famous / important work):


After the museum visit, we were brought to a large shop for Russian trinkets and trash. 

This made it totally worth the visit:

Posted in Getaway, Russia, Sicily | No Comments »

Day #7: St. Petersburg

Jun 17th, 2017 by

We’re back in Russia.

Like the rest of northern Europe, we last visited St. Petersburg for a single day six years ago when Emerson was only a little more than a year old. Due to Russian visa requirements, it’s generally easiest to do a shore execursion arranged by the cruise line. So, we did a brief panorama tour but didn’t really get in to see any major sights–that seemed like the best compromise at the time.

On this trip, we opted instead for two in-depth tours: one of St. Petersburg’s major cathedrals (today) and another of the Hermitage museum (tomorrow). Today’s tour departed around noon for the city center. 

First, we visited the Church of the Spilled Blood. It was built in the neo-Russian style on the site of Alexander II’s assassination. 


The interior is festooned with mosaics. 


Next, we drove to the Peter and Paul Fortress, which is both the birthplace of St. Petersburg and home to the cathedral of the same name. 


Here the interior is festooned with dead Czars and Czarinas.


Last, we visited the neoclassical St. Issac’s Cathedral, which is reported to be the fourth largest in Christendom. 


What’s interesting is that all of these churches, aside from a small chapel at St. Issac’s, function as museums and aren’t used for religious services. 

We returned to the ship around 6:30 for dinner at Ocean Blue, which was rather delectable. Emerson and I especially liked our lemon tart:

Posted in Getaway, Russia | No Comments »

Day #6: At Sea

Jun 15th, 2017 by

We spent a pleasant day sailing to St. Petersburg, Russia. As we’re not too into ship-based activities, I don’t have a lot to report. Emerson spent some time in the kids’ club, and Libby and I relaxed by reading in our cabin. 


One highlight — for lunch, we tried the Margaritaville at Sea, which brings Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant to cruise ships. It was fun with decent food and good “boat drinks.” Clearly, as an open air venue, it would be perfect in the Caribbean, but it was a little out of place in the Baltic on a cool-ish day. No matter — wasting away in Margaritaville is a state of mind. 

Posted in Europe, Getaway | No Comments »

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