21092015 - After checking into Hostel Bed and Breakfast, I was off to explore more of Stockholm. I had not done any research at all which is very unlike me. To be honest, I thought Prof Sweet Tooth was going to be my guide. But things worked out fine for me regardless. I think I went to some good places with some help from my sisters who informed me.
As today was an impromptu walking day, I took a stroll to King's Garden again, and wanted to go to the Royal Palace. But silly me did not know Royal Palace is closed on Mondays. I got to see a farmers' protest instead. They did it today in front of the Parliament because the Budget is being tabled today.
This is the view from the Royal Palace. What an amazing panaromic view. I decided to go to the Parliament but it was only opened to visitors at 11.45am. If I remember that time correctly. So, I went to look for food and fridge magnets. It was a tourist street - Queen's Street.
I stepped inside this candy store because they sold such lovely colourful sweets. I bought a marzipan for SEK25 which I could not finish because it was so sweet.
I went inside the Parliament and it was free entry. The security is really tight here. Walking through metal detectors and removing all my items in the pocket. Good thing I could still keep my camera. It is funny that I have never entered into my country's Parliament before but I am unsure if I am allowed to. We got to sit at the top gallery. The debate started on the budget but I could not understand a single thing. According to a Filipino lady who has been residing in Sweden for the past 20 years, she has make it a habit to participate in the tabling of the budget as the public is allowed to pose questions to the politicians. I left the place after 30 minutes.
My next target was to visit the City Hall. This was recommended to me by the Filipino lady. She said that it is very nearby. I got lost looking for it because not many people know where is the City Hall. I could categorise these people into 3 types - (1) Immigrants : I spoke to a Chinese chef who was smoking outside the restaurant. I asked him for directions to the City Hall and he asked what is a City Hall. (2) Young adults : I asked a person in the 20s and she has no idea of where the City Hall is. Her defense is she is not from Stockholm, and I said that you work in Stockholm. (I am not from Kuala Lumpur but I know the location of must-see places in Kuala Lumpur) (3) Tourists : The tourist has just finished visiting the City Hall earlier in the day but she pointed to the wrong direction. I guess she is overdosed with Sweden.
This time, I asked elderly locals. True enough, they gave me the right direction. But I got confused, because one man tells me to cross the bridge which I did and it brought me to Riddarholmen. It was a nice area and I walked a bit. I wanted to go inside the church but it was closed and opened on weekends only. Riddarholmen is pretty quiet on a Monday morning.
I was walking in circles in Riddarholmen and could not find a City Hall or anything that resembles a City Hall. Unfortunately, I did not bring my map with me. Then, I crossed back the bridge and asked another couple who told me to cross the bridge. I said that I just did! That is when I found out Stockholm has SO MANY bridges... Now, I cross the correct bridge, and after 30 minutes of walking, I was in the right direction. I was so relieved.
1 comment:
Oh, I see. The first elder gentleman actually gave you a correct direction. You cross the bridge to Riddarholmen, and then you have on the right side a small walkway and bridge directly to the other side of the water, Close to the City Hall. A lot of people are not aware of that shortcut, so it was not a surprise you didn't found it right on. :-)
So sad I couldn't guide you. But now you really got to learn how Stockholm looks like by your own effort, without the long-legged guide that drop names after every 10th step, he he... ;-)
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