Dave and Vera's Blog: Day 2 (July 25) More of Stockholm

Today we had a walking tour of Stockholm with a local guide. Starting at our hotel, he took us through parks and by government buildings, arriving in Gamlastan, the oldest part of the city. As with all of our Rick Steves tours, our guide Hakan was excellent. He even invited us into his condominium right in the middle of Gamlastan.

Looking through the Parliament buildings and towards Gamlastan.

Gamlastan is a mix of 17th and 18th Centruy buildings. The "main drag" is a pedestrian walk-way that actually proceeds through the entire city, not just the old town. Here, the walk-way is lined with touristy kinds of shops and restaurants. Including all of Stockholm, it becomes the longest such shopping area in the world.

The narrowest "street" in Gamlastan.

Remember yesterday and the rain. Well today, like yesterday, changed from hot and muggy to stormy in a matter of minutes. But today was worse. We had hail and very strong winds while being stuck waiting for a passenger ferry. Being a former Nebraska boy, I even asked if Sweden had tornados. Everyone was soaked, and we wound up sticking it out wherever we could find shelter.

But it was worth it. We got to see the Vasa, the largest and best preserved 17th Century sailing vessel in the world. The ship is huge. The large replica you see in the fore ground is dwarfed by the Vasa behind. The Vasa's maiden voyage lasted 21 minutes, and then it sunk. For 333 years it remained at the bottom, preserved by the sea sediment. In 1961, 333 years later the Vasa was reclaimed from the sea. The reconstructed vessel, 98 per cent original, is covered in hundreds of well preserved carved sculptures.