The Bedouin Feet: Day 6: In the land of the Vikings

6th August, Gothenburg, Sweden

Our Stena Line ship was supposed to leave Frederikshavn at 8 AM and John was dropping us off. We picked up some sandwiches from the local gas station and reached the ferry terminal at 7:30 AM. Checkin was very straight forward using self scanners and we moved in along with our luggage. The ships were massive with vehicles can be driven in from the front. There were 6 levels of decks and also you can sit on the top open decks. There are tables and benches so its a lovely place to sit and have your sandwiches, coffee or wine watching the blue waters. I decided to have a nap on the open deck after finishing my sandwich and after an hour or so moved inside as it was getting pretty chilly and my Flu was definitely troubling me.

on stenaline to Gothenburg

We arrived around 11:30 AM at the Gothenburg Terminal. We picked up some cash from the ATM across the terminal and then got ourselves on the Tram no. 11 which took us to grönsakstorget was the nearest stop to our apartment. A 100m stroll took us to 18, Sodra Larmgaatan where Robert was there to welcome us. It seems Anita, the owner of the apartment runs it more like a hostel than just an apartment on rent. There are a lot of rooms with various capacities. We had a room with twin beds which was pretty nice with a view to the walking street. The kitchen was well stocked and enough in the fridge to make breakfast and packed lunch. So yes a lot of savings.

Waiting for tram no.11

Chilling in our room

The kitchen

Our room

Outside our apartment

As the sun goes down only at 10 PM we still had a lot of time to explore the city. The first stop off course was the tourist information centre, just a 100 m away. We got all the info regarding the tourist attractions and found out that the day passes gives you unlimited access to all public transports viz. trams, busses and ferries for just 80 SEK per person. Hence we dropped the otherwise luxury idea of doing the shrimp and salmon boat tour (555 SEK per person) and decided to do the southern archipelago the local way, next day. Loaded with the map and all info we started walking next to the canal. Sweden has a lot of motor traffic in comparison to what we experienced in Denmark. They still have bike lanes and people cycling around, but a way lesser. The canal itself is a very nice sight with lush green foliage around and people having picnics or just a nap next to it.

We found out the famous Feskekôrka or Fish church is an indoor fish market, which got its name from the building's resemblance to a gothic church. Apart from a fish market, there is also a fish- and seafood restaurant in the building called Gabriel’s, the chef is said to be the 2010 oyster shucking world champion. We ordered for some coffee and a herring platter which consisted of 3 different herring preparations along with some fresh bread (135 SEK) and then went to down to buy a big packed box of salad consisting of shrimps and crayfish along with swedish caviar dressing (80 SEK). The seller also was kind enough to put in some bread and a box of ice to keep the fish fresh.

Fish Church

After this satisfying experience we started walking towards the Haga or the old town of Haga is a city district in gothenburg, renowned for its picturesque wooden houses, 19th century-atmosphere and cafés. Originally a working class suburb of the city with a rather bad reputation, it was gradually transformed into a popular visiting place for tourists and Gothenburgers. It was amazing to explore the bohemian Långgatan streets. The streets are dotted with antique, jewelry and cafes. A good place to fika (The Swedish word for a coffee break with a pastry or a cookie) and check out the splendid pastel colured wooden houses. The typical haga houses have the basement and ground floor made out of stones and above which has been made with wood.

Haga

After haga we took the back lanes to move towards Skansen Kronan (Crown Keep). A hilltop fortification, southwest of the city centre, built in the 17th century. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum. The museum was closed when we reached but we got magnificent views of the city from there. The stairs are very steep and takes quiet some puffing and panting to get to the top. We had an apple while enjoying the view and walked down by a more gradual sloping trail.

Stairs to the fort

View from Skansen Kronan

After coming down we started walking down across the canal and thought of taking some rest on the green foliage like the local swedes. It was a nice good 1 hour nap and we were rejuvenated.

We reached our apartment and had an early dinner of the shrimp and crayfish salad that we earlier bought from the fish church. Pritha wanted to take rest as she was getting cough and cold and some body ache, so i went out to explore the night (still bright) on my own. Took the Kungsportsavenyen all the way to the hard rock cafe. Had a quick irish coffee there. Then walked all the way to find the location of Liseberg and the Scandinavium. On the way back saw the gothenburg museum of arts where people were having a nice evening of wine and dine. From there took a long stroll to the harbour to see the opera house and back home for a nap. End of day 6.