The Sun Shone

Approaching Kastleholmen

An endless variety of sailing vessels

A wistful sailor

Goran Lund Amusement Park

This was a huge boat!

A beautiful site

The Modern Museet Sculptures

It's our last day in Stockholm so David and I were up early and off to tour The Palace. It's located in Gamla Stan, just a short walk from our hotel. One always has to remember to look up when touring old European buildings as the artwork and sculptures are also on most of the ceilings. I was especially impressed with the artistry and the style that allows the delicate statues to be built into the ceilings and look down into the rooms. We've tried to capture it on film but it may not have translated as well as in person.

There are over 1400 rooms in the Palace and the king and queen don't live here anymore but they do hold their formal functions of state here, such as when the honorary consuls come to visit. The State Apartments in the Palace are still used as the guest bedrooms for visiting royalty and representatives. David and I found them very dark. Apparently only 600 of the rooms in the palace have windows. The last Canadians to stay here were former Governor General David Johnston and his wife. The Hon. Ed and Lily Schreyer also stayed here. Interesting note, the current King and his wife have been to Winnipeg.

For some reason, I am fascinated by the dining rooms in castles and palaces (an interest that bloomed on our tours through Scotland and England) and that interest has continued on this visit so you'll find a few photos of those as well. One of the rooms could host 170 people for dinner.

This is the nicest day of sunshine yet, though the wind is still teasing us.

This tall ship in the background was a bar/restaurant.

David and I went exploring this afternoon and headed for two other islands. You can walk to the islands by crossing bridges. One needs a keen sense of direction to get around here but if you get lost, just check the skyline and look for a familiar spot. It is so lovely to have so many choices for walks with fabulous vistas. We stumbled across the Modern Museet (Modern Museum). It was full of unusual moving art sculptures outside on the lawns surrounding the museum so you didn't even have to step inside to get a sense of the modernity of it all. We also got close to the Grona Lund amusement park. We also saw views of the areas we had already toured, but from across the lake. The different perspectives help to appreciate the spectacular architecture everywhere throughout this city. David suspects there must be a building code that denies high skyscraper buildings to maintain a sense of the tradition and history of the country's architecture.

View from the Top of the Palace

Changing of the guard

Another view of the Riksdag.

Inside The Palace

These chandeliers were beautiful--incredibly large and ornate.

A marital bed canopy.

This is the gallery that can accommodate 170 guests at a dining table.

Clocks were on display throughout the palace.
The Swedish people are always on time--maybe that's where I get my punctuality from.
This clock had a dragon on top of it.