After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, the Vasa Museum and the Wreck Museum were on our agenda for today. We might even include ABBA.
The Vasa Museum displays the Vasa, the ship that capsized and sank in 1628 during its maiden voyage from Stockholm. After 333 years, the enormous warship was salvaged and restored. The Vasa is one of the best-preserved 17th-century ships in the world.
I was immediately struck by the level of detail in the ship’s carvings — what an incredible job that must have been. Just like in the previous museum, it got me thinking about my own work: how quickly everything has to be finished nowadays and how easily we’re being overtaken by machines.
After visiting the Vasa Museum, we strolled along the water to the Wreck Museum. Personally, I found this the least interesting one. Everything was digital, 3D, or video-based. Since all the museums were close together, we decided to continue on to the ABBA Museum. But after seeing the entrance fee, we figured a photo with ABBA would have to suffice.
By then, it was already three o’clock, time for a cup of tea. Next to the ABBA Museum was a lovely teahouse where we enjoyed tea and a bisque. We took public transport back to the hotel: first packed like sardines on the tram, then the metro, and finally the bus.
What do you feel like doing after a whole day of wandering around? Still, there’s a certain charm in doing “normal” things instead of playing tourist. Because we had to change lines so often, we suddenly found ourselves in front of an open church where a performance was taking place. The church’s beautiful paintings, combined with the serene atmosphere and unique music, created a moment to breathe, relax, and let everything go.
Although Stockholm showed us many beautiful places, I can’t wait to leave the city tomorrow and head out into nature.
