We thought for a while where to travel in summer 2016, and since our first baby is on its way to us and this does not leave us to many options (flying might be dangerous when carrying a baby) but to travel to nearby countries, accessible by ferries and boats.
Since Sweden has always been our favorite country, the decision was made.
We started our trip to Stockholm from Tallinn on the evening of the 7th of June, having our car with us and also our adorable dogs Nööp and Nuumi. We also did a trick: since Tallink, the ferry company we traveled with, has a very strict policy with pets whom one can have only in special cabins on a very noisy place on 5th deck, we booked the cabin with dogs with me and Andres bought a separate cabin for himself. Once on the ship, we went to "visit" Andres in his nice cabin and oops - stayed overnight. Nobody found out that we had the dogs in the cabin where they actually were not allowed.
The sea was nice and calm, and on the 8th of June a lovely sunny Stockholm welcome us.
We checked in in our Stockholm home called Motel L, had some rest and soon traveled by metro to the city center. Ordered a baby stroller in the baby butique and went back to have our car and travel to a new shopping center called Mall of Scandinavia. Found it rather easily in Solna and did some more shopping there.
Back in the hotel, had some lovely snacks and off to bed.
The 9th of June was a half-workday for me whereas Andres worked almost every day on the trip but I tried to keep it as much holiday as possible. Had a meeting with one of our clients in Södermalm and after that I traveled to Stockholm University to find out which options they have for studying in the department of languages. Collected some brochures, met some people and got all the information I needed for the time being. Had a lunch in the city and headed back to Hammerby sjöstad, to our hotel. Had some rest and at about 6 o'clock we took the car from a nearby car-park and drove to Djurholmen where it was going to start Suede's concert in Gröna Lund at 8 pm. As always, Suede gave a great show and here is a picture that tells clearly how close we were to the stage. Not in the first row but about 3-4 meters from the stage.
Suede and Bret Anderson on 09.06.16
On the 10th of June it was time to say good bye to Stockholm and head down to Gotland. On our way down to Västervik where the ferry was going to take as to Visby, we had a lunch break and thought that we had loads of time... but we did not. Our ferry where we had purchased tickets was going to leave Västervik at 15.40 local time, at 15.00 we still about 50 km from Västervik, no idea where exactly to drive in Västervik and the website of Gotland's båten said that we should be there minimum 45 minutes before departure. Oh boy, was this a nervous drive! But believe it or not, we arrived in the port 5 minutes before the departure time and the check in was still opened. Luckily we got on the ferry and after about 2 hours traveling on a windy and bumpy sea we arrived at Visby. Walked there a bit and headed east to our Gotland home called Ljugarn Stugor. This place was just wonderful: a hidden away place in a pine-tree forest, surrounded by lovely plants and lots of rabbits hopping around the cottage. Dogs absolutely adored the place. Just open a door, let them out and they have their own ways to go. Did not go too far either, when I called them they soon we back with us.
Our cottage in Gotland
There was also the special event to celebrate that day: our beloved Nööp turned 4! I cooked her and Nuumi a nice big bowl of minced meat and later we all sat down to watch the very first football game of the European Championship in football.
Next day which was actually Saturday, we all had a lovely long sleep. Ate breakfast and drove to the nearby village Ljugarn to have a little walk. After that we went back to our house, Andres worked for about 3 hours while I read and knitted. It was a light-yellow blanket for our baby I was working on. Tried to do it all outside but since the weather was rather chilly (around 14 degrees) and sun once was there and then was not, I stayed inside most of the time.
At about 1 pm we headed west to Visby to make ourselves properly acquainted with that adorable middle-age town. And yes, beautiful it was indeed! Not just one or five gorgeous churches and ruins in the town but tens and more.
Walks on the streets of Visby
Had a lovely lunch which we had spotted last night and since there was a lamb shank in the menu, we ordered it. This was a huge portion and not less tasty.
Later walked for about 1-2 hours in the old town and when we finally were getting very tired, did some shopping and drove back to the cottage again. Another football game that night and off to bed.
In the early morning of the 12th of June it was time to say good bye to the cottage. Cleaned the house at first and rushed to Visby port to catch the ferry at 9.15.
Lots of poppies on the fields, lots of cows, sheep and horses on the valleys... this is how I would like to remember Gotland.
Me and Andres with tiny houses, intended for kids
Finished with the park, we headed to Nyköping where we had booked a next sleep over place for us. It was a warm and lovely B&B with a gorgeous view over valleys, and with a really tasty breakfast.
Another football match on TV that night and then it was time to say good night.
The 13rd of June was like any other Monday morning, except for that I did not have to cook a breakfast myself and everything was different from home. What was similar, though, was that Andres started working in the morning. :) Before diving into his computer, we had a nice breakfast and the breakfast room itself was very special.
Breakfast room and outlook from its balcony
Finished the breakfast and went for a walk with dogs on the surrounding fields. How lovely way it was to start a day!
At about 12 pm we said good bye to the B&B, and headed to Stockholm. Made a break at Kungens Kurva, went for shopping in IKEA. Since we had decided to buy some furniture for the baby in IKEA, loaded our car with all the stuff and hardly had any room for the dogs left. :)
We also had a small accident: one of the car tires exploded (after driving against an edge in a gas station) and so we had even less room in the car since the tire had to be replaced and the broken tire was bigger than the extra one it was replaced by. However, finally we arrived luckily to our last overnight place, Villa Aske, close to Sigtuna. We chose the place since we hoped to visit Sigtuna the following day (but it did not happen since we had to change the plans).
It was a great minor, with beautiful walks and surroundings, but the rooms themselves were a bit warn out. What made the stay really special was the stunning breakfast in the sun. Food suited well for a great minor - everything one could dream of: scrambled eggs, bacon, tomatoes, all sorts of juices and muesli, fruits etc.
Nuumi in front of the main house of the villa
Left the villa at about 11 am and headed south to Stockholm. While I visited the local Tax office in order to arrange some papers for our Swedish company, Andres stayed in the Mall of Scandinavia. Back from the city, we headed to the port and left Stockholm at about 4.30 pm with Viking Line.
Should say that I loved Viking Line a lot more than Tallinn. We had a lux seaside cabin, not too expensive but a spacious one, and it was just great. The buffee was also a lot better than on Tallink where they charge the same money but food is rather awful.
Arrived happily home at 3 pm on 15.06 and I really do not have words to tell how happy our dogs were to get home. The managed the trip very well, patiently hopping in the car every morning when a new day in the car was about to start.. and yet they love their home the most. Just like we do also. It is good to be away but always very good to back again too!
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