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.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713.jpg)
![Guardsman at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/images/s/stockholm0713-001.jpg)
![Norrbro Street, as seen from the Royal Palace.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-002.jpg)
![Flowers and tour buses, as seen from the Royal Palace.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-003.jpg)
![Statue at Kungstr](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-004.jpg)
![Fountain on the side of the Royal Palace.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-005.jpg)
![A church behind the Royal Palace.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-006.jpg)
![A Swedish ship.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-007.jpg)
![The Nordic Museum.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-008.jpg)
![Nobelparken.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-009.jpg)
![Geese at Nobelparken.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-010.jpg)
![Cyclist at Nobelparken.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-011.jpg)
![Gardens by the Nordisk Museet (Nordic Museum).](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-012.jpg)
![A scooter in front of a house near Nobelparken.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-013.jpg)
![City Hall.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-014.jpg)
![Katia with a moose.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-015.jpg)
![Felix Wong in front of some orange men near the Swedish Parliament.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-016.jpg)
!["I love Swedish girls."](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-017.jpg)
![Katia in a ship museum southeast of the Vasa Museum.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/s/stockholm0713-018.jpg)