The term archipelago is used to generally refer to any island group or, sometimes, to a sea containing a large number of scattered islands.
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. There were small communities and sailboats everywhere.
I couldn't get dressed for looking off our balcony and then grabbing my camera, going outside and taking photographs.
The temperature couldn't have been more perfect either ... 65 degrees. We sailed very slowly all morning so we didn't arrive in Stockholm until 11:35 a.m.
This being said, we had the opportunity to relax and watch the world around us float gently by.
Frank brought breakfast to me since I decided to wash my hair this morning and so I was moving a little slowly. After I finished getting ready, we went to the Lido deck for a quick lunch before we were to gather in the Queen's Lounge for our tour into town and our visit to the ice bar.
Stockholm is Sweden's capital and its largest city.
It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the official residence of the Swedish monarch. It's a beautiful city.
I've been very impressed by the fact that each place that we have visited has been immaculately clean and pristine.
No litter or trash to be found anywhere. That's so refreshing to see countries where people take so much pride!
We toured around the city in a bus, although some people toured in a horse drawn buggy.
Everywhere we have been has been surrounded by water.
I even found a restaurant that was on a boat that was named for me. How about that!!!
There is a major "pedestrian only" street and you can see how many people are shopping there.
I also spotted this billboard and was fasinated by it. I have no idea what they are advertising but it was certainly an attention getter!
We were then taken to the highlight of the day ... the Nordic Sea Hotel which had an ice bar in it.
The Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm gives new meaning to the phrase "on the rocks."
Drinks are served in fist-sized hollow ice cubes,
and the barmaid plunks them down on a bar made of clear ice blocks.
The walls and tables are also built with ice harvested from the Torne River.
It is located on the border between Sweden and Finland, where the Ice Bar's management has operated the widely publicized Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi since 1989. (The ice bar and its frozen furnishings are rebuilt every six months.)
Stockholm's Ice Bar, which opened in 2002, is probably the most celebrated alcoholic attraction in Sweden. It drew 70,000 visitors in its first year and has been featured on the BBC and CNN.
When you first arrive at the Absolut Ice Bar,
you stick out your arms, and stand still while an Ice Bar employee fits you with a silvery blue cape-parka.
Next, you step into an air lock, close the door, and open another door that leads into the Ice Bar's frozen inner sanctum. (To prevent body heat from damaging the pristine surface of the ice blocks, the bar has a maximum capacity of 30 visitors.)
The Ice Bar is refrigerated to -5° C (23° F), so you'll probably want to pull up your hood (trimmed in white fluffy fake fur) and slip into your knitted gloves, which dangle from the cape like a preschooler's mittens from a snowsuit. As you look around, you start to notice among other things, a few ice sculptures.
The Ice Bar is refrigerated to -5° C (23° F), so you'll probably want to pull up your hood (trimmed in white fluffy fake fur) and slip into your knitted gloves, which dangle from the cape like a preschooler's mittens from a snowsuit. As you look around, you start to notice among other things, a few ice sculptures.
You can now advance to the bar and order from the drinks menu, with choices that include cocktails made with flavored Absolut vodkas and fruit juices plus several non-alcoholic drinks.
There aren't any bar stools (prising visitors' bottoms from ice blocks raises liability issues), but you can rest your elbows on the ice bar or ice tables if you can take the cold (and we could!)
After 20 or 30 minutes, you return through the air lock, hand over your parka, and return to the real world outside. When we got back on the bus I noticed this Red Bull car and had to get a shot of it for our eldest grandson, Nicholas.
From there we took a tour of the Old Town.
It was a walking tour that was to last for about an hour. Since my foot was giving me trouble, we opted to go off on our own and we went to the Royal Coin Cabinet Museum which was near by.
It was a nice, quiet place so we sat on the patio and enjoyed the lovely weather as we had a local beer.
Frank is such a sweetheart to take such good care of me adn my health "issues". I'm truly blessed to have him.
We returned to the ship around 4:00, took a sort nap and then went to the Crow's Nest for our evening cocktail.
We returned to the ship around 4:00, took a sort nap and then went to the Crow's Nest for our evening cocktail.
I personally much prefer the Ocean Bar since it's smaller and quieter.
The Crow's Nest is crowded and the music is very loud. It must seem as though all we do is drink and eat, but after all, isn't that what vacations are all about??? ;-)
We came back to the stateroom to get cleaned up for dinner. There's a show tonight called Mysteriaque. We both think that we have seen this couple on another cruise we have been on. If so, I'm really looking forward to it since they are very good. You can check this out if you're interested. They're pretty amazing. Just double click below where it says "You Tube-Mysteriaque" and it will take you to the link where you can watch them perform.
We came back to the stateroom to get cleaned up for dinner. There's a show tonight called Mysteriaque. We both think that we have seen this couple on another cruise we have been on. If so, I'm really looking forward to it since they are very good. You can check this out if you're interested. They're pretty amazing. Just double click below where it says "You Tube-Mysteriaque" and it will take you to the link where you can watch them perform.
Cyriaque and Angela, a husband and wife team, are two performers who met at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. They are both extensively trained in classical ballet. They are also soloists at the Lido de Paris as the featured Adage Couple.
When are arrived back at our stateroom, Dumbo was waiting for us with our evening chocolate.
Tomorrow will be a sea day and we're both looking forward to just taking it easy and enjoying the ship.
XOXO, Pcasso
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