Stockholm, Sweden - Day 1

Hello from Stockholm, Sweden!

Port security maybe?

As I was researching an alternative to my no-you-can’t-go tour I found there was really only one option - my good ole standby, the Hop On, Hop Off bus.

There they are!

The ship added it to their excursion list a couple days ago, but as before if you book through the ship you have to leave at the time they say. I wanted to go when I wanted to go so I did it independently.

The city of Stockholm is built on 14 islands. Who knew? While the HOHO bus didn’t get us to all of them it did give a nice overview of the city. Stockholm is a tall city with beautiful buildings so folks riding on the top level of the bus got a magnificent view. I stayed down below so my sights were limited. 

So many construction cranes

When I could, I focused on individual buildings.

  

Large boots on a roof? It’s the ABBA museum!

I also focused on buildings along roadways, alleyways, and waterways.

 

Archways were interesting…

 

 

as were signs.

Translation: “ Very limited access for bicycles at Slussen subway, Russian Guard, Another way”

 

I was planning on doing the whole loop and then going back and getting off the second time around but heavy rain started and changed my plans. And ended my picture taking.

We’re here overnight and since my HOHO ticket is good for 24 hours I might be able to take my second swing through the city tomorrow morning. Only time will tell - but it’ll be the weather calling the shots. See you then!

Not Visby, Sweden

Hello from not Visby, Sweden. 

While I was at breakfast this morning the town popped into view and then it went away. Unfortunately gusty 30+ knot winds made it unsafe for the ship to dock so we turned around and left.

Our path as seen on marinetraffic.com

While I was disappointed I knew it was for the best for our safety - and my recovery. The painful after effects from yesterday’s jaunt are still with me so I figured it best to rest up for the busy and exciting month. I have several handicapped accessible excursions booked through the ship coming up in these Baltic ports. Finally I won’t have the difficult task of struggling up and down stairs on a bus because these vehicles have lifts. Awesome!

Except. 

Except I got a call from the shore excursion desk this morning telling me I won’t be able to take any of my tours these next few weeks because they are meant for wheelchairs, not scooters. By their standards I’m not handicapped enough to qualify for accessible excursions. Huh? 

To say I’m disappointed and frustrated and discouraged and saddened and dejected and bordering-on-crushed would be an understatement. These were the ship tours I was most looking forward to. Tours that would take me where I wanted to go, could accommodate my scooter, and not require the painful ups and downs on steep bus steps. I know it’ll be fine because I’ll figure something out to do on my own like I’ve done everywhere else, but dang it.

To drown my sorrows I contemplated busting into my mini bar and making something with several mini bottles of vodka. 

Every cruise it multiplies. I’ve got some catching up to do.

With the clouds parting on an unexpected sea day and the sun shining on my balcony it would be the perfect day for it. Instead I just sat in the sun, listened to the waves, and breathed in fresh sea air as I sipped on a Diet Coke. (The day isn’t over so there still could be time for vodka!)

We’ll be in Stockholm, Sweden tomorrow for an overnight visit where the weather is supposed to be awful and I no longer have a tour. See you there for something I obviously don’t have planned yet.