Island Hopping in Stockholm

So after LA and a really quick stop in the UK, to get over the jetlag, I ran away to Stockholm to see Daniel!

Stockholm, I found out is made up of over 150 little islands, so we spent one gorgeous sunny day on a boat to visit one of the islands furthest away from the 'mainland'....Fabulous day of water, breeze, wine and olives in the sun...

We went walking through the streets and of course I made new friends....

Infront of the palace, and Daniel with Stockholm...

Daniel even took me to a Hammarby game - His home team....Not quite the same standard as what we saw in Argentina...In fact even to a novice like myself, well it was dreadful playing...(I still haven't seen Hammarby win, and I've been to a few games since...)

The atmosphere though was almost enough to rival the South Americans, with the zeal and gusto these people put into just a small home game...There were green (Hammarby colours) smoke machines, papers flying, people screaming at the fans of the other team across the other side of the field...Quite a sight...Although the most bizarre for me was definitely the beer being sold with green straws to drink from - A strange sight for any Aussie, I dare say!

Daniel's brothers, Frederik and Mattias at the game

We also spent some time out in the 'country side' - Which is where Daniel's grandparents own a small house...Very lovely, seeing as this area again is made up of many small islands, and the only way to get there is by boat!

I even got introduced to the Scandinavian sauna tradition....Hop in the sauna, nude, crank up the heat, till you're red and really sweating, then jump in the ocean water......Ok, so I did the sauna bit....However, was not brave enough to jump in the water....Thought it was a shame to waste all that wonderful warmth and heat, so skipped that step and went straight to the hot shower...Have a few traditions yet to get used to!

Daniel's family was wonderful, having me sample yummy seafood, great desserts made from berries, (whose name I can never remember - But they look like mulberries, only yellow!) and fabulous homemade schnapps! Tradition here being that you sing a song before every glass you drink.

We also had a night out with Daniel's friends, who welcomed me in great steed:

Lovely night in an 'open bar'...These are bars that are open only in summer...This one was set up on the stairs of a big building...So no roof whatsoever...Very cool and ingenius idea...Although it isn't easy getting up and down stairs as the drinks are finished....

Susanne & Kim...

Was so wonderful to hug Daniel after 3 months apart - Especially great was to laugh and joke around as though no time at all had passed.

Daniel - Love you to bits!

Ok....So I'm a Slacker

With a capital 'S'....

So, to fill you all in very quickly, I left Ecuador back in July for sunny, crazy LA Baby!!!

Venice Beach....

I know it's a little late, but I have to thank Patty and her entourage for the amazing times I had there...Spent a week of pure laughter...Here are the photos to prove my LA Story:

No trip to LA is complete without a walk down Hollywood Blvd and the Chinese cinema where famous foot and hand prints are on display and you know me and Harry Potter & Co...

And then of course there's David...He's quite the star, and I just couldn't resist having a photo....

Patty and I were then accompanied by Sri to Venice Beach - Hahahahahaha! By golly can we play the fools...We just walked the strip enjoying the weird and wonderful people around us...Patty and I were on the lookout for a few muscle men, Arnie-style, especially after having seen his video the night before and knowing that this was where he used to train and where he became famous...However it wasn't to be - None were about...We still had a hoot though!

Don't know if any of you recognise this guy, but apparently he actually features in the movie LA Story, with Steve Martin, made in the 1990's early...Anyhoo, he still roams along Venice Beach in his weird rollerskates...He had decided that I needed to be sung to at this point...

Patty had also booked us a timeslot to go to the Gettysburg Villa - It's a museum, but oh so beautiful...Check this out:
Couldn't help myself though....

Seeing as I was spending a whole weekend there, Patty had organised a Friday and Saturday nights...Neither saw us get home before sunrise....Wild and crazy evenings, dancing the night awayand drinking wonderful concoctions....




Hmmm...The Gogo dancer....Chris, Patty and I......Patty, and myself with some randoms Patty found.

On Saturday, we went to the Avalon, where Rob, a friend of Patty and Chris', works so imagine how very spesh I felt getting to dance on stage, right behind the DJ! And got to hang out 'backstage' - We were so VIP!!! Hahahaha!


Chris, and Brad, being shown love by Patty and myself!!!
Getting the love back from the boys!
Rob getting cheeky with one of the Gogo dancers!







And of course, no trip is complete to LA without going to Rodeo Drive...Thank you Brad, who drove us there, and then drove along Mulholland Drive - Another must do!


All in all it was a fabulous week, spent with fabulous people who showed me nothing but a great time. Patty, love you to bits - You are too cool.


The rest of the guys...

- Brad, can't wait to catch up with you and Patty when you come over to Europe this summer,
- Chris - I'm waiting for you to tell me you're on your way,
- Gill - Thanks for breakfast and vegetarian yum cha
- Sri - You are a blast!



THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!