Mina föräldrars resa till Sverige.

In mid-June, I warmly welcomed the arrival of my parents to Stockholm as well as the summer weather that I thought would never arrive.  After 9 months, my parents looked just as I remembered them.  It was their first trip to Sweden and first time meeting my Swedish family.  It was as if both of them had known each other for years.  One night, we went to a restaurant called Gondolen for dinner and drinks and one of the best views of Stockholm.

 

Sunset with hot air balloons.

One day my parents and I took a boat from Lidingö to Finnhamn to enjoy the Swedish archipelago.

 Strandvägen.

Before brunch at the Grand Hotel.

After brunch we explored the city including one of my favorite spots, Gamla Stan. 

Best shopping in Stockholm, followed by fika at the Diplomat.

 We walked along the waterfront or Strandvägen all the way to Djurgården, an island in the middle of Stockholm.  

 The thought of leaving these kids is unbearable. 

Another archipelago trip to Waxholm with both families.

It was so much fun to have my parents finally get to see where I have been living the past year, and see what I have been doing.  I loved having both my families together, but 10 days was too short.

Helsinki, Finland

Thursday, June 6th Kirsten and I departed Stockholm for Helsinki!

Previously, I think I mentioned the large cruise ships that pass right by my house along the coast.  They are big cruise ships that go from Stockholm to Helsinki and back.  The reputation of these boats aren't the best, but Kirsten and I decided that one weekend in the Spring we should take one over to Finland, and explore Helsinki.

We lucked out because the weekend we chose to go was beautiful, sunny and 22 degrees C (70 degrees F).  Departing Stockholm, we lounged on the sun deck with a pear cider in hand, soaking up the warm rays which are rare in Sweden.  I called the house when the ship was passing and Kirsten and I waved to my family and the kids, and they were standing on the back deck waving back to us.

The boat ride took about ten hours, so by the time we got to Helsinki it was morning.  We shared a cabin with two other girls, one from Nigeria and one from Finland.  The close quarters in the cabin was not ideal, but what do you expect when you buy a ticket for 30 euros?

Our friend, Vilma (previously an au pair in Stockholm) met us when we got into Helsinki and then continued to show us around the city.  We spent the weekend with her, walking the streets of Helsinki, shopping, and sun bathing in the park.

Kirsten and I departing Stockholm.

 The ship- Silja Line.

 Our view when leaving Stockholm.

 Enjoying pear cider on the deck.

Photo taken and edited by Kirsten.

Somewhere in the archipelago between Finland and Sweden.

 Life is good.

 But brrr was it cold and windy!

 Kirsten and my favorite spot we found on the boat, looking out the back.

 Sunset from the boat.

Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki.

Walking the streets of Helsinki with Kirsten and Vilma.

Waterfront market with fresh fish, berries and produce.

 

The bus ride on the way to see Avicii (one of the main reasons we came to Helsinki in the first place)

Avicii (a Swedish DJ) His most popular songs are "Levels", "I could be the one" and "Silhouettes".

Saturday morning we took berries and karjalanpiirakat (a Finnish rice pastry) to a park and had a picnic breakfast, and sun tanned all day long until we caught our boat home.

 Biding Helsinki goodbye as we departed on the ship back to Stockholm.

A fort built on the small islands right before you reach the city of Helsinki, which defended the city when in battle.

Baltic Seascape

Overnight, Stockholm turned from a dead, brown, soggy mess (after the snow melted) into a beautiful coastal town (like all of its inhabitants as well).  Now that spring is here, trees are in bloom, tulips are sprouting, and color is once again an option when it comes to wardrobe.  Out with the black and in with the new and colorful.

It is incredible how a few 65 degree days and sun can turn a city around.  Every cafe and restaurant has opened its outdoor seating, people are smiling again, and slowly more skin is starting to show on everybody's pale, white bodies.

Spring clothes come out, boats begin their test runs, and most importantly, it no longer takes the kids and I an extra 20 minutes to leave the house each morning (throw on a light jacket, and you're good- no hats, no gloves, no scarves, no layers upon layers, and no snow boots).

Last weekend my family decided to take their boat out for the first ride of the season!

Ella and Elsa ready for the ride.

Captain Mårten and co-captain Andreas

Nina and Johanna enjoying the ride from the back. 

Gabriel, Alfred, Elsa, and Ella