Folk Travel Log

Va Vasa museum is Stockholm’s top attraction. A highly decorated war ship which sank on its maiden voyage. After 350 years it was salvaged and now in a dedicated museum - 98% of it is original oak. It survived because the water where it sank is brackish, too low in salt to allow wood worms to survive. Wood worms usually eat up any wood underwater. After slowly raising the hull starting in the early 1960’s then cleaning it, it was continuously sprayed with preservative for 17 years to stabilize the wood - think polyurethane. Phenomenal feat raising and preserving Vasa.  

 Contrary to expectations we have had fabulous weather in Stockholm - rains a lot and locals come out in droves when they can. Sweden is thousands of islands and lakes - Stockholm is many islands connected by bridges so lots of water and boats around. People are very friendly and helpful - have not encountered a surly service person - no wonder Stockholm regularly rates at the top of best places to live. Fountain in square of old town where 80 prominent residents were beheaded by invading Norwegians. Said to be the origin of the term bloodbath. Front of ship. Susan got some new headwear. Sample of decorative elements from Vasa an old sailing ship. This guy is wondering where his pants went. Front of chapel within the Swedish residence in Stockholm. In front of Stockholm city hall were the Nobel prizes are awarded. Royal palace outside Stockholm. Same Trying on royal gear.

 Good day in Gdańsk , some rain in the AM but clear later. Food market below. Ornate gate on City Hall  Fence over canal laden with lover’s locks, tens of thousand. Market stall. Perogies  Pigs knuckle for lunch - very good. Pipe organ in church.

 Rainy in Bornholm so not much to see as it’s all about views from the island. Crane loading towers for windmills which will be erected in Germany. Harbor near  Viking Star

 Good day in Berlin but very long - the city was 3 hours from the port by train round trip including tour and free time 12 hours. Weather was fair. Berlin is a bustling city full of sites and evidence of the partition of Germany. Susan got in some shopping. Some duplicates below - still learning how this program works. Reichstag - German parliament building Opera house Memorial to holocaust victims - thousands of concrete blocks of various sizes - there is no writing of any kind in the memorial. Portion of the wall. Train station. Monument atop Brandenburg gate - the gate predates the  WW’s celebrating victory in prior wars. Brandenburg Gate.

Susan visiting with Hans Christian Anderson which is near Tivoli, gardens and amusements said to be the inspiration for Disneyland. Still enjoying great weather, a few short showers but nothing bad. Danish sandwich, always open face on dark bread with toppings fully covering the bread, this has fried fish and salad. Adornment on side of a building whose owner had disputes with the city. His building was adjacent to city hall, this and other nasties face city hall. Famous Little Mermaid statue. Lots of interesting art in Copenhagen. Changing of the guard at royal family residence. Water fountain commemorating WW2 victory. In front of city building. Another sandwich, this is tomatoes. Doorway at palace  Waterfront area lined with bars and restaurants  Trash incinerator which produces electricity, the chimney releases only water vapor, all the bad stuff is captured. It is also a ski ramp with artificial turf for year round use. It has a restaurant on top and is a climbing wall. I...