The tube on
the Elizabeth Line finally arrives (on Friday 20 October). I’m so glad I ended
up leaving work early to get to Heathrow. I had forgotten about the “fun”
Tube delays that happen in London.
I’ve been in London all week for
work. It’s been full on! Now it’s holiday - heading to Stockholm then
Oslo.
5 stops later I get off a packed
Tube, at Paddington Station, and head to the Heathrow Express.
Being a good corporate citizen I had booked an 8pm flight, I’m really really hoping I can get on the 5.05pm flight.
It’s a short trip to Heathrow, Terminal 5 being the second stop. I am definitely not the only person traveling today.
Check-in is nice and easy. Unfortunately the agent wasn’t able to locate the earlier flight. No worries, I’ll take things out of my suitcase (that I brought in London) and take to the hotel I’m staying at in a week to leave there.
The hotel is a short bus ride away - on exiting the terminal its blue sky and sunshine.
On arrival at the hotel I’m told you can’t leave luggage here. Of course you can’t. FFS. Well that’s super annoying! Probably to be expected, they don’t care one bit. I’m very much missing the Asia 5 star standard of hotels.
Right back to the drawing board! I can luckily check in another bag - the issue is which bag is more secure as I was given a bottle of gin. Time will tell.
I have a short wait for the bus back to the airport. It’s actually nice standing outside with the sun and blue sky. I had thankfully added money onto my oyster card earlier - have money, can travel.
I have no issues checking in another bag, phew!
Fast Track for security goes smoothly. It’s definitely not as busy as I thought it would be. I even make one of the staff laugh when I say I don’t want to take my apple watch off as I’ll miss out on steps!!
Finding a seat in the lounge takes much longer! In the end I find a spare seat - drop my bags and head off in search of a drink.
The monitors inform me the 5.05pm flight to Stockholm is cancelled, well that explains why we couldn’t find it when I was checking in.
After a while I change seats - I need to be closer to day light.
What seems like ages later I decide to head to the gate. Definitely didn’t need this long in the lounge!! Hey ho.
At the gate we are advised the flight is full, not surprised given the earlier flight was cancelled. The staff advise not all hand luggage will be allowed on the plane. Let the fun begin…..
We push back from the gate 9 minutes late, much better than I expected.
We thud into Stockholm Arlanda airport at 11.21pm local time. The pilot announces its 5 degrees…..brrrr!
There are only two counters open for immigration - one line for EU passport holders and the other line for all other passport holders. Thankfully I’m near the front of the plane so the line for me wasn’t too long.
Woo hoo both my bags arrive and my backpack seems dry. Off to the train I go.
I had brought the ticket before I left Hong Kong - it’s an 18 minute trip compared to over an hour drive. A no brainer really. My hotel is a 5-minute walk from the central station which will help too. Well I hope it will be!
As soon as the train doors open at Stockholm Central I feel the cold. I really hope I have enough warm clothes.
I walk quickly out the first exit I see and walk in what I think is the right direction. Not having much luck in locating the hotel. In the end I ask a security guard where my hotel is - he points me in the direction and I’m off. I’m amazed at how many people are out and about. Definitely didn’t expect this at 12.30am.
I notice the huge temperature difference when I step into the hotel, it’s heavenly!! There is a fire going which I make a beeline for.
The very friendly lady on reception upgrades my room to a junior suite, a shame it’s just for one night. But I’ll take it! The next three nights are under Ann.
I climb into bed at 12.59am feeling wide awake.
My alarm wakes me at 8am on Saturday 21 October. More sleep is needed. It’s a cool 5 degrees but feels like 0. Ooh my!!! When I open the curtain I see a small house on a lawn.
I’m looking around reception to see if Ann is in the long line to check-in when I see her walk in the door. Talk about timing! She’s flown overnight from JFK.
We finally locate a spare table at breakfast - there are people everywhere! For now, I’ll stick with coffee.
We have a chilled few hours in the room, which is what both of us needed!
Mid-afternoon we change rooms - the view of the water is amazing.
As part of Ann’s hotel membership status we get club lounge access included in our room. Cocktail hour starts at 4.30pm, we are here waiting for 4.30pm to tick over.
We have a good couple of hours in the lounge chatting, drinking and eating.
Ann had made a dinner reservation at 8.30pm, at 7pm we decide to head back to the room to get warmer clothes. We are hoping we’ll be able to get into the restaurant earlier. Time will tell.
Our Uber arrives fairly quickly after booking - it’s chilly as when I walk outside (5 degrees) and raining.
When we finally locate the restaurant (at 7.50pm). We are told there is no table as yet. It’s a tiny restaurant so not surprising. They recommend a place to go a hop, skip and a jump down the road for a glass of wine.
They are packed! But have seats outside - thank goodness they provide blankets. And super warm blankets at that.
We both order a glass of champagne. Aaah this is the life! Although my toes are freezing….
After finally getting my credit card to go through we leave the comfort of the blanket and overhead heater and head back into the cold and rain. Luckily it’s super close!!
When we sit down we are asked if we want to do the wine pairing with the 5 course menu. 5 course menu. Ummm ok, not what I was expecting but hey ho. When in Roma and all that.
We start with a glass of champagne followed by the snacks.
Delicious!!! Each bite is tastier than the previous one.
One of the waiters comes with our first glass of wine, which is a Sauvignon Blanc, ummm that’s a strong no from me! They thankfully said they will bring me something else. Phew! I had thought we had already started the wine pairing with the bubbles but clearly not.
Riesling is it. Let’s see how this is.
Our second course is a pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds and celeriac foam with a glass of chenin Blanc.
Next is a fish. First bite throws me as I had expected it to be hot but it’s cold. It is tasty though.
Lamb is our next course. Like the others, so delicious! The sauce is a mix of mint sauce and anchovies. Very tasty.
Our final course is desert.
As we ask for the bill the waiter brings another course to the table. Each course I thought was the best, until I taste the next one.
We head outside to the Uber, which arrives fairly promptly. Thankfully the rain has stopped.
As I climb into bed google informs me South Africa has won their semi-final (world cup rugby). See you next week in the final!!
For now, sleep is needed.
Ann wakes me at 9.20am on Sunday 22 October. A huge sleep in!!! Something we both absolutely needed.
We enjoy a chilled breakfast in the club lounge.
We decide to walk to The ABBA Museum. It’s a cold 5 degrees when we leave the hotel. Thankfully having lots of layers on helps to keep me warm.
As we cross over the
Djurgårdsbron bridge to Djurgarden Island there are signs telling you which way
to go (depending on what you are here to see / do). The autumn leaves are
everywhere.
We continue walking, ABBA is no longer appearing on each signpost. Ann asks two guys who surprise surprise have never been. They are helpful though and tell us it’s just up ahead.
We have a good two hours in The ABBA Museum before walking back to the hotel.
Walking into the hotel, the bathroom is the first stop followed very quickly by a soft drink in the club lounge. It’s nice to sit down again.
Feeling refreshed I decide to head to the train station so that I know where I’m going on Tuesday morning at the crack of dawn (well before the crack of dawn!).
It’s an easy few minutes’ walk to the entrance of Stockholm Central where it’s like all other major European Train stations with a huge departure board. A lady comes to ask if she can help me. So lovely. At least now I know what I’m to do on Tuesday morning.
I decide to head back to the hotel a different way and within minutes come across S:ta Clara kyrka (St Clara Church).
The convent and Church was founded on a site in 1280’s. In 1527 they were torn down. A few years later, in 1572 construction of the current church started.
As I exit the Church I hear a
lot of people and realize it’s a demonstration. I pick up the pace and in the opposite
direction (thankfully in the direction of the hotel).
As I walk back into the Club Lounge I hear a Prosecco bottle being opened, perfect timing.
Dinner is booked for 6.30pm tonight. We enjoy two drinks before heading back to the room to change quickly then ordering an Uber.
Finally the Uber arrives - one minute it was 4 minutes away, the next 2 minutes then all of a sudden it’s 6 minutes away.
When we arrive at the restaurant it’s close to full.
The food we ordered was super tasty! Lobster Taco, fried chicken, steak tartare with homemade chips and fried tuna with an Asian salad. I wanted to order everything again!!
We decide to walk back to the hotel. There are more people around than I expected for a Sunday night.
Monday 23 October I wake just after 8.15am, this time tomorrow I’ll basically be halfway to Oslo. Goodness it will be an early start.
Looking out the window it’s all systems go outside - Monday morning and people are commuting to work.
Breakfast is chilled - so nice not being surrounded by so many people!
On exiting the hotel it’s definitely cold! It’s a short walk to Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm.
It’s great wandering around the cobblestone streets looking at all the amazing colourful old building. Aah Europe I do miss thee.
We look around a couple of souvenir shores. So many cute things!
We come to Stortorget, the main square of Gamla Stan.
Continuing our wanderings we pass the Storkyrkan, Stockholm Cathedral.
Basically behind the Storkyrkan is the Stockholm Palace / Royal Palace. We ask one of the guards if we can have a photo with her. I thought best to ask given she’s holding a massive gun!!!
Before we left the hotel we got a couple of recommendations from the Concierge for food / drinks. One place appears to be evening only. Right next door there were a few people sitting outside, we decide to go there. The doors open 3 minutes later and we join the line to enter. Must be good if there is a line up before opening time.
Feeling refreshed we head back to the cobblestone streets and wander around more of Gamla Stan.
Time to walk back to the hotel.
I have about an hour in the room - warming up and doing some packing before I decide to head out for a walk. Ann’s emails have started so she remains at the hotel to do a bit of work.
Stadshuset (Stockholm City Hall) is what we have been looking at from our window and was on my list of places I wanted to see.
I decide against the guided tour and instead wander around myself.
I take a different route back to the hotel, walking along the river for a bit before crossing one of the 49 bridges in Stockholm.
At 4.30pm we head to the Club Lounge for drinks.
Ann had researched a place to go for Swedish Meatballs - which was on our “must do” list. It’s an easy 12-15 minute walk from the hotel.
On leaving the hotel the cold hits me. It has definitely felt like the coldest day today! It’s walking rush hour - so many people on the street.
Cocktails and meatballs are ordered.
The meatballs are super tasty!!
We get back to the hotel before the happy hour period ends. Talk about timing!
Back in the room I finish packing then relax.
I set my alarm for 5am then climb into bed. I have a 6.02am train to Oslo. It was either that or not get into Oslo until 11.30pm at night and I didn’t want that. Fingers crossed I’ll sleep on the train!
My alarm wakes me at 5am on Tuesday 24 October. More sleep is needed! I jump out of bed immediately though. No time to waste.
Of course when you are on time / early everything goes smoothly. I have a good 15 minutes at the train station before going to the platform.
Goodbye Stockholm, it’s been a pleasure to be here.
Being a good corporate citizen I had booked an 8pm flight, I’m really really hoping I can get on the 5.05pm flight.
It’s a short trip to Heathrow, Terminal 5 being the second stop. I am definitely not the only person traveling today.
Check-in is nice and easy. Unfortunately the agent wasn’t able to locate the earlier flight. No worries, I’ll take things out of my suitcase (that I brought in London) and take to the hotel I’m staying at in a week to leave there.
The hotel is a short bus ride away - on exiting the terminal its blue sky and sunshine.
On arrival at the hotel I’m told you can’t leave luggage here. Of course you can’t. FFS. Well that’s super annoying! Probably to be expected, they don’t care one bit. I’m very much missing the Asia 5 star standard of hotels.
Right back to the drawing board! I can luckily check in another bag - the issue is which bag is more secure as I was given a bottle of gin. Time will tell.
I have a short wait for the bus back to the airport. It’s actually nice standing outside with the sun and blue sky. I had thankfully added money onto my oyster card earlier - have money, can travel.
I have no issues checking in another bag, phew!
Fast Track for security goes smoothly. It’s definitely not as busy as I thought it would be. I even make one of the staff laugh when I say I don’t want to take my apple watch off as I’ll miss out on steps!!
Finding a seat in the lounge takes much longer! In the end I find a spare seat - drop my bags and head off in search of a drink.
The monitors inform me the 5.05pm flight to Stockholm is cancelled, well that explains why we couldn’t find it when I was checking in.
After a while I change seats - I need to be closer to day light.
What seems like ages later I decide to head to the gate. Definitely didn’t need this long in the lounge!! Hey ho.
At the gate we are advised the flight is full, not surprised given the earlier flight was cancelled. The staff advise not all hand luggage will be allowed on the plane. Let the fun begin…..
We push back from the gate 9 minutes late, much better than I expected.
We thud into Stockholm Arlanda airport at 11.21pm local time. The pilot announces its 5 degrees…..brrrr!
There are only two counters open for immigration - one line for EU passport holders and the other line for all other passport holders. Thankfully I’m near the front of the plane so the line for me wasn’t too long.
Woo hoo both my bags arrive and my backpack seems dry. Off to the train I go.
I had brought the ticket before I left Hong Kong - it’s an 18 minute trip compared to over an hour drive. A no brainer really. My hotel is a 5-minute walk from the central station which will help too. Well I hope it will be!
As soon as the train doors open at Stockholm Central I feel the cold. I really hope I have enough warm clothes.
I walk quickly out the first exit I see and walk in what I think is the right direction. Not having much luck in locating the hotel. In the end I ask a security guard where my hotel is - he points me in the direction and I’m off. I’m amazed at how many people are out and about. Definitely didn’t expect this at 12.30am.
I notice the huge temperature difference when I step into the hotel, it’s heavenly!! There is a fire going which I make a beeline for.
The very friendly lady on reception upgrades my room to a junior suite, a shame it’s just for one night. But I’ll take it! The next three nights are under Ann.
I climb into bed at 12.59am feeling wide awake.
My alarm wakes me at 8am on Saturday 21 October. More sleep is needed. It’s a cool 5 degrees but feels like 0. Ooh my!!! When I open the curtain I see a small house on a lawn.
I’m looking around reception to see if Ann is in the long line to check-in when I see her walk in the door. Talk about timing! She’s flown overnight from JFK.
We finally locate a spare table at breakfast - there are people everywhere! For now, I’ll stick with coffee.
We have a chilled few hours in the room, which is what both of us needed!
Mid-afternoon we change rooms - the view of the water is amazing.
As part of Ann’s hotel membership status we get club lounge access included in our room. Cocktail hour starts at 4.30pm, we are here waiting for 4.30pm to tick over.
We have a good couple of hours in the lounge chatting, drinking and eating.
Ann had made a dinner reservation at 8.30pm, at 7pm we decide to head back to the room to get warmer clothes. We are hoping we’ll be able to get into the restaurant earlier. Time will tell.
Our Uber arrives fairly quickly after booking - it’s chilly as when I walk outside (5 degrees) and raining.
When we finally locate the restaurant (at 7.50pm). We are told there is no table as yet. It’s a tiny restaurant so not surprising. They recommend a place to go a hop, skip and a jump down the road for a glass of wine.
They are packed! But have seats outside - thank goodness they provide blankets. And super warm blankets at that.
We both order a glass of champagne. Aaah this is the life! Although my toes are freezing….
After finally getting my credit card to go through we leave the comfort of the blanket and overhead heater and head back into the cold and rain. Luckily it’s super close!!
When we sit down we are asked if we want to do the wine pairing with the 5 course menu. 5 course menu. Ummm ok, not what I was expecting but hey ho. When in Roma and all that.
We start with a glass of champagne followed by the snacks.
Delicious!!! Each bite is tastier than the previous one.
One of the waiters comes with our first glass of wine, which is a Sauvignon Blanc, ummm that’s a strong no from me! They thankfully said they will bring me something else. Phew! I had thought we had already started the wine pairing with the bubbles but clearly not.
Riesling is it. Let’s see how this is.
Our second course is a pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds and celeriac foam with a glass of chenin Blanc.
Next is a fish. First bite throws me as I had expected it to be hot but it’s cold. It is tasty though.
Lamb is our next course. Like the others, so delicious! The sauce is a mix of mint sauce and anchovies. Very tasty.
Our final course is desert.
As we ask for the bill the waiter brings another course to the table. Each course I thought was the best, until I taste the next one.
We head outside to the Uber, which arrives fairly promptly. Thankfully the rain has stopped.
As I climb into bed google informs me South Africa has won their semi-final (world cup rugby). See you next week in the final!!
For now, sleep is needed.
Ann wakes me at 9.20am on Sunday 22 October. A huge sleep in!!! Something we both absolutely needed.
We enjoy a chilled breakfast in the club lounge.
We decide to walk to The ABBA Museum. It’s a cold 5 degrees when we leave the hotel. Thankfully having lots of layers on helps to keep me warm.
We continue walking, ABBA is no longer appearing on each signpost. Ann asks two guys who surprise surprise have never been. They are helpful though and tell us it’s just up ahead.
We have a good two hours in The ABBA Museum before walking back to the hotel.
Walking into the hotel, the bathroom is the first stop followed very quickly by a soft drink in the club lounge. It’s nice to sit down again.
Feeling refreshed I decide to head to the train station so that I know where I’m going on Tuesday morning at the crack of dawn (well before the crack of dawn!).
It’s an easy few minutes’ walk to the entrance of Stockholm Central where it’s like all other major European Train stations with a huge departure board. A lady comes to ask if she can help me. So lovely. At least now I know what I’m to do on Tuesday morning.
I decide to head back to the hotel a different way and within minutes come across S:ta Clara kyrka (St Clara Church).
The convent and Church was founded on a site in 1280’s. In 1527 they were torn down. A few years later, in 1572 construction of the current church started.
As I walk back into the Club Lounge I hear a Prosecco bottle being opened, perfect timing.
Dinner is booked for 6.30pm tonight. We enjoy two drinks before heading back to the room to change quickly then ordering an Uber.
Finally the Uber arrives - one minute it was 4 minutes away, the next 2 minutes then all of a sudden it’s 6 minutes away.
When we arrive at the restaurant it’s close to full.
The food we ordered was super tasty! Lobster Taco, fried chicken, steak tartare with homemade chips and fried tuna with an Asian salad. I wanted to order everything again!!
We decide to walk back to the hotel. There are more people around than I expected for a Sunday night.
Monday 23 October I wake just after 8.15am, this time tomorrow I’ll basically be halfway to Oslo. Goodness it will be an early start.
Looking out the window it’s all systems go outside - Monday morning and people are commuting to work.
Breakfast is chilled - so nice not being surrounded by so many people!
On exiting the hotel it’s definitely cold! It’s a short walk to Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm.
It’s great wandering around the cobblestone streets looking at all the amazing colourful old building. Aah Europe I do miss thee.
We look around a couple of souvenir shores. So many cute things!
We come to Stortorget, the main square of Gamla Stan.
Continuing our wanderings we pass the Storkyrkan, Stockholm Cathedral.
Basically behind the Storkyrkan is the Stockholm Palace / Royal Palace. We ask one of the guards if we can have a photo with her. I thought best to ask given she’s holding a massive gun!!!
Before we left the hotel we got a couple of recommendations from the Concierge for food / drinks. One place appears to be evening only. Right next door there were a few people sitting outside, we decide to go there. The doors open 3 minutes later and we join the line to enter. Must be good if there is a line up before opening time.
Feeling refreshed we head back to the cobblestone streets and wander around more of Gamla Stan.
Time to walk back to the hotel.
I have about an hour in the room - warming up and doing some packing before I decide to head out for a walk. Ann’s emails have started so she remains at the hotel to do a bit of work.
Stadshuset (Stockholm City Hall) is what we have been looking at from our window and was on my list of places I wanted to see.
I decide against the guided tour and instead wander around myself.
I take a different route back to the hotel, walking along the river for a bit before crossing one of the 49 bridges in Stockholm.
At 4.30pm we head to the Club Lounge for drinks.
Ann had researched a place to go for Swedish Meatballs - which was on our “must do” list. It’s an easy 12-15 minute walk from the hotel.
On leaving the hotel the cold hits me. It has definitely felt like the coldest day today! It’s walking rush hour - so many people on the street.
Cocktails and meatballs are ordered.
The meatballs are super tasty!!
We get back to the hotel before the happy hour period ends. Talk about timing!
Back in the room I finish packing then relax.
I set my alarm for 5am then climb into bed. I have a 6.02am train to Oslo. It was either that or not get into Oslo until 11.30pm at night and I didn’t want that. Fingers crossed I’ll sleep on the train!
My alarm wakes me at 5am on Tuesday 24 October. More sleep is needed! I jump out of bed immediately though. No time to waste.
Of course when you are on time / early everything goes smoothly. I have a good 15 minutes at the train station before going to the platform.
Goodbye Stockholm, it’s been a pleasure to be here.
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