STOCKHOLM 10/6/12

  We had a three day weekend with Columbus Day on October 8th so flew to Stockholm, Sweden  from Nurnberg via Berlin.... rainy in Berlin but landed in sunshine in Stockholm, YEA:)  A smaller capital than many countries, we loved the pine forests, 14 islands in Lake Malaren that Stockholm  stands on  and the beginning of an archipelago of 24,000 islands/islets into the Baltic Sea... we really enjoyed the water with green belt areas and lovely buildings.   We walked the narrow, cobblestone streets of the old town, Gamla Stan, and the Royal Palace and shopping streets of the Norrmalm area.... but our favorite was the forested island of Djurgarden ( Deer Park) with its' many museums.  Having heard about a very special ship's museum... we assumed it was a viking ship museum as we had seen near Copenhagen... and the found out it was a 17th century man-of-war ship... what could be so special about it???   Walking into the Vasamuseet (Royal Warship Vasa) we could only say WOW!    It is the world's oldest identified, complete ship that sunk in the harbor on it's maiden voyage in 1628.... Salvaged in 1961 this is a HUGE, 3 story wooden ship with sculptures, original paint and gilt for a stunning display!