Stockholm, Sweden

Our last stop on the cruise was Stockholm. I'm pretty sure at this point Rhett was over cruising. If he was able, he would have thrown his chubby appendages around one of the built-ins and refused to get off the ship. However, that type of strength and dexterity isn't quite there yet so he had no choice and for 80% of the trip it was okay...

We chose to visit the Ericsson SkyView and the Vasa Museum for this excursion. We lucked out at the SkyView because it was a relatively clear day in Sweden and we could see a good distance. The SkyView is actually a little gondola ride that takes visitors to the top of the Ericsson Globe, which is the official stadium of Sweden. It's the largest spherical (hemispherical) building in the world and hosts a variety of events. I have no idea why we chose this but we did and it was fun.

After the SkyView, we stopped to see Stockholm City Hall and then to the Vasa Museum. The lines to this thing were incredible... it's one of the most visited sites in Sweden so you can imagine. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long and we were able to spend more time in the museum.

The Vasa ship has a very interesting history. It was built by King Gustov II Adolf in 1626. It took two years to build and was supposed to be THEE ship. It was built as a warship- 64 cannons, 300+ soldiers, etc.

On Sunday, August 10, 1628, the ferocious beast (loaded with families of the crew) set sail. After 1300 meters, it leaned to one side (bad proportions) allowing water to fill into the open gunports and that was the end of the Vasa (don't worry, the King was in Prussia).

On April 24, 1961, the Vasa was brought back to the surface, restored (sprayed with chemicals for 17 years to preserve it), and now rests peacefully in the museum.

It really is an amazing sight to see.

Anyways, I'm going to skip over the part where Rhett has a total meltdown (so out of character for him and this trip that people were HAPPY to see him upset because it meant that he was, indeed, "normal"... of course these people weren't on the hour long bus ride from Stockholm, either) due to third degree diaper rash and teething issues. You know you're helpless and pathetic when a young couple (with baby) sitting behind you throw a tube at you and tell you to put it on his gums. It could have been cyanide but at that moment I was willing to try anything.

It helped momentarily but he perked up and started wailing as soon as we exited the tender and were on the boat. Then my fellow cruise goers took the ultimate sympathy- parted like the Red Sea and let me and Rhett go up to our stateroom immediately.

I guess I won't skip over it.

So, Stockholm was lovely. They love them some Ikea. And the Vasa.

And French hotdogs. (But who doesn't?)

Below is Julia (of Jeff & Julia) who played UK Grandparents to Rhett on our cruise. They were the two sweetest people we've ever met and they helped immensely.

Only about 30 people died when the Vasa sank. Thank goodness for shallow waters.

At first glance, the Vasa looks disproportionate. I wouldn't get on that thing.

After some desitin, Rhett returned to his agreeable self.

Chocolate ice cream also helped.

Vasa info and stories here.