Sweden

Sweden

12- 16 February 2016

12 February 2016, Amsterdam to Stockholm

We took Norwegian Airlines to fly from Amsterdam to Arlanda Airport, Stockholm. Our departure was delayed 1 hour, so we took off at around 22.40. It took 2 hours to get there. Since we arrived very late night, we decided to stay at Airport Hotel Clarion. This hotel located inside the airport, so it was very convenient to reach the hotel. 

13 February 2016, Stockholm-the capital of Sweden

Although we slept very late, but surprisingly we can woke up quite early in the morning. After had a big breakfast, we were ready to explore the city. First, we went to the tourist information at the airport, to ask the easy and cheapest way to get to Stockholm from Arlanda airport. The lady at the tourist information was very helpful and informative. We decided to buy the city pass 1 day, which was allow us to use all the public transportation for 1 day and also we can use it to go to Stockholm central station from Arlanda. It was not the quickest way, but the cheapest and also if we want to explore the city, it’s very useful.  First, we took the bus number 583 from the airport to Marsta. Then from Marsta, we took train to Stockholm Central Station. The journey was around 1 hour.

We stored our luggage at the Station. They provided 2 type of luggage store. The medium size (SEK 70 for 24 hours) and large size (SEK 90 for 24 hours). Beside the 24 hours, there was also option for 4 hours, but the price is not much different.  The main central station was very good, they had everything inside, such as supermarket (coop, 7Eleven), café (starbucks, etc), restaurant (Burger King, Mc D, etc), shops, souvenir shops.

From the central station, we took metro to Gamla Stan, the old town. It was very nice to walk around the medieval town. Then we cross the bridge to Sodermalm Island and walk along the Soder Malastrand which was from here we can see the beautiful view of the city. Stockholm has 14 islands which were connected with bridges and also we can use ferries from one island to another.

 
The next island we went to explore was Djugarden. We took ferry that included with the 24 hour pass card. In this island we can visit Vasa Museum and Skansen. First, we went to Skansen, the world’s oldest open air museum. We had snack time at the café near Skansen. 
 
 
Then we visit Vasa Museet, the must visit museum in Stockholm. Admission is SEK 130. In this museum we can see the magnificent 17^th century ship. This ship sank when it made its maiden sail. After 333 years on the ocean floor, finally it can be bring back to the land. Unlike in the city, Djugarden island was cover with snow, that made the view in here was very beautiful.

From Djugarden, we backed to the city. Watched an ice skating performance in the park, made a snowman from the snow on the street. Then we walked to Sergels Torg (Sergels Square), which from here we can walked through the passage to the central station. Then we waited at the Central Station until our sleep train came.

Actually there was a direct train from Stockholm to Kiruna with a perfect timing (depart around 6pm and arrive at Kiruna the next morning at around 8am. But unfortunately, when we want to buy it, it was all fully booked. So, we took the train to Boden, change the train to Kiruna. According to schedule, our train should departed from Stockholm central station at 22.40 and arrived at Boden at 11.04. But, we got 1 hour delay.

14 February 2016, Kiruna

Though our train departed late, but still can arrive at Boden on time. Then we changed train to Kiruna. The train departed from Boden at 11.37 and arrived at Kiruna at 15.09. From Kiruna Station, we took free shuttle bus to Kiruna Centrum. From here, we walked to our hotel Vinterpalatset. A small but very nice and very good location. After check in and put our luggage, we walked to the centrum to bought our dinner. We decided to eat at the hotel, while waiting for our Aurora Ride tour.

We booked the tour from www.activelapland.com. The tour picked us at 05.50 pm and after picked another participant, we went directly to the site. After we put the coat, boots and gloves on (all provided by the tour and included in the tour cost: SEK 3.000 for 2 adults and 1 child), we met our musher with his dogs. All of us (4 adults and 1 child) sit on 1 sled. Then  when we were all ready, the musher released the dogs. As we rode on the sled, we can see the snow sparkle. And when we see to the air, we can see the tiny sparkles, that seems that we went through it. 




Then the musher made a stop at a hut, where we can enjoyed a cinnamon roll with hot drinks. It was also a time when we can pat the dogs, took some pictures and warm our selves. After that, we continued our journey back. Although we can not see the aurora borealis, but it was a very nice experience. Then the tour drove us back to the hotel.

And as the hotel had a Jacuzzi with sauna and we can book for 1 hour, so after the ride in the temperature minus 0, we had a very nice warm bath before we slept.

15 February 2016 Kiruna

We woke up early, having a good breakfast and ready to explore Kiruna city central. Kiruna is the Sweden’s northernmost town. It was famous for northern light and ice hotel. They are plenty of winter activities here, such as dog sledding, snow mobile, aurora borealis hunting.

We walked to the city central. They set up a little playground from snow. Maze from snow, slide from ice, the snow was very deep. Kaeo had a great time playing there.

In the central, there were a tourist information (where we can get a map), some shops, resto (there was a thai resto) and supermarket. The must see place in here was Kiruna Church. A wooden church with the shape of a Sami Goathi, a tent cot.  It was voted as Sweden’s most beautiful building in 2001.

After we had our lunch at thai resto, we walked to bus terminal. We took bus 501 to Jukkasjarvi, where the ice hotel located. They had schedule for the bus, the interval between each bus was quiet long, so better check and don’t be late. We were at the bus terminal just in time for the bus schedule 13.10. It took around 30 minutes to get to the ice hotel.

The entrance fee was SEK 325 for adult, children 6-12 years SEK 75, children under 6 years free. They also had family price SEK 650 for 2 adults & 2 children. The price include guided tours. They had guided tours in English at 12 and 4 pm. We took the family package since it’s mean we didn’t need to pay for child price.

The ice hotel had rooms for guests who wants to stay there. They had warm room and cool room. Also they had ice bar where everything was made from ice (the chair, the table) and a building made from snow and ice where visitors who just want to see (not stay) can go inside and see many design of the rooms. Inside every room they had different design and sculpture.

Ice hotel also provided some winter activities, such as dog sledding, snow mobile, aurora borealis hunting. The hotel was located in a huge field, all white covered with snow and surrounded by pine trees. It had a really great view.

From ice hotel, we walked to Sami Village. It was not far from ice hotel, we just need to walked straight and it was located on the left hand side. Along the way, we can see breathtaking views. Wooden buildings cover with snow, and the road also full of deep snow. On the way to Sami Village, there was a supermarket, which is good as we can not find any resto or café around here. 

Sami Village was an all in one place. They had museum, café, souvenir shops, except toilet. So if we need to use toilet, we must go to the church beside Sami Village. 

In here, we can learn about Sami people, the original Swedes. Also we can see reindeers and give them food (we can buy it in the shop). Reindeer are a big part of Sami culture. They use every part of reindeer, such as skin for making shoes, horns for making knives and meat to cook. Sami handicraft also well known, they use natural materials with elaborate ornamentation. 

The café had an unique design, all made from wood. They set a fire place in the middle of the room and a projector so we can watch a film about Sami people and culture while enjoying warm chocolate/coffee/ tea with cinnamon roll (they also sell muffin and another pastries). We also tried to give food to the reindeers, get really close to them. One of the reindeer was brave enough to follow us. 

Then it was time (16.25pm) for us to back to the city. The bus stop was exactly in front of Sami Village (So no need for us to go back to ice hotel to catch the bus). We stopped at the bus stop near the hotel. We took our luggage, bought food for dinner at supermarket, then walked to bus terminal. The free shuttle bus from bus terminal to Kiruna train station also had schedule. We took the 5 pm bus so we do not need to wait too long at the train station Kiruna. Our train arrived on time. At 18.16 the train departed from Kiruna Station. Same with our last trip, tonight all beds in our compartment also full. We took couchettes in 6 beds compartment.

16 February 2016 Stockholm

Our train arrived at the morning at 10.23 am. We still had time to explore Stockholm while waiting for our night flight. We decided to go to Gamla Stan again, since we did not really explore at the first day. From the central station, we walked to Gamla Stan. We see the Royal Palace from outside. We had a chance to see the royal guard marching in front of the royal palace. 

Then we continue, and visit the Nobel Museum. The admission was SEK 100 for adults and free for children under 18 years old. They gave a “task” for children to find an answer for some question. When they finished all the question, they will get the prize. Nobel Medal from Chocolate :) The museum is not big, but we can see and learn about the Nobel Prize winner. Also they had a room that dedicated to Alfred Nobel. 

Then we continue strolling in the old town, had a quick lunch there. After that, we went to the Sodermalm Island again. This time, we walked to Stadsgarleden, and climbed up to get a nice city view from above.

We backed to the central station, took Flygbussarna bus from city terminalen (located connected to the central station). It cost SEK 99 to Arlanda Airport and the trip is around 35-45 minutes. The bus departs every 10 minutes. Our planes departed on time at 19.10.