Guardsman at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Stockholm

“Did you go to the IKEA factory?” Katia asked me shortly after arriving in Stockholm a few days after I did. “It is based in Stockholm.”

Ah, IKEA. It is just one Swedish purveyor of brilliantly engineered, form-follows-function Scandinavian designs that feature elegant, simple lines. Other companies from this country include Volvo and the (now bankrupt and bygone) Saab. Not bad for a population less than that of, say, California.

My first good-feeling impressions were formed shortly after jumping on the Flygbussarna from the international airport to the city center, and it featured free wi-fi. Then I transfered to a very clean, smooth running commuter train. Mass transit here is purportedly the most expensive per kilometer of any country in the world—and at 38-44 kronas (depending on whether you by the ticket prepaid at the Presbyrian stores, or from a window cashier at the train station) or $5.80-$7.33 for a Zone 1 ticket, I believe it—but if one purchased a refillable transit smart card, individual trips could cost as little as 25 kronas ($4.17). In general, I would say everything in Stockholm costs a little more than most places in the U.S.

The mass transit system was efficient, but I found the City Center to be very walkable. It was also clean with lots of friendly folks, all of whom spoke English as a second language.

Major sites I encountered included the Royal Palace, Parliament, City Hall, Vasa Museum, various parks (including a great one across the street from the Vasa & History Museums). I spent quite a bit of time reading in parks by the water, on benches in the shade. Peaceful and serene for sure.

I only had a few days to spend in Stockholm, but despite its city size I felt very comfortable here. “I could imagine living here,” I told Katia. Never mind that I never did get a chance to visit the IKEA factory.

Carriage rides at the Royal Palace.
Carriage rides at the Royal Palace.
Guardsman at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
Guardsman at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
Norrbro Street, as seen from the Royal Palace.
Norrbro Street, as seen from the Royal Palace.
Flowers and tour buses, as seen from the Royal Palace.
Flowers and tour buses, as seen from the Royal Palace.
Statue at Kungstr
Statue at Kungstr
Fountain on the side of the Royal Palace.
Fountain on the side of the Royal Palace.
A church behind the Royal Palace.
A church behind the Royal Palace.
A Swedish ship.
A Swedish ship.
The Nordic Museum.
The Nordic Museum.
Nobelparken.
Nobelparken.
Geese at Nobelparken.
Geese at Nobelparken.
Cyclist at Nobelparken.
Cyclist at Nobelparken.
Gardens by the Nordisk Museet (Nordic Museum).
Gardens by the Nordisk Museet (Nordic Museum).
A scooter in front of a house near Nobelparken.
A scooter in front of a house near Nobelparken.
City Hall.
City Hall.
Katia with a moose.
Katia with a moose.
Felix Wong in front of some orange men near the Swedish Parliament.
Felix Wong in front of some orange men near the Swedish Parliament.
"I love Swedish girls."
"I love Swedish girls."
Katia in a ship museum southeast of the Vasa Museum.
Katia in a ship museum southeast of the Vasa Museum.