Adventura: 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....