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Published: August 10th 2011
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Our last day touring was today, so sad. We really enjoy our tours because it gives us a chance to explore new areas that we could not always see during a single trip.
We arrived early in the morning, approximately 7:00am. The port was actually beautiful and landscape and architecture was eye catching. The weather today is mostly cloudy and a light rain. Highs were only to be in the high 50’s. Our tour did not start until 9:45am because we were taking one of the shorter ones because we already visited Stockholm in 2003. Today we were visiting two areas. They included the old town of Stockholm and a hotel Ice Bar (yes, a freezing cold ice bar, indoors). Total time for the tour is 3 hours.
Old Town Stockholm
I hate to say this, however many of the buildings and infrastructure of Stockholm is much like the other countries we visited, however they did have a unique twist. There was much more shopping around the old town versus other countries we visited. Many of you may not know, however the annual Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Stockholm every December. In 2003, we toured the building, however
during our tour we stopped at a lookout point and took photos of the building from a distance. Attached is a photo of the kids with the noble peace prize building in the background.
When walking through the old town with the kids, during free time, we had a funny moment. Some older gentleman stopped in front of a shop door and before entering let out a seriously loud and gross back end gas. This lead to a 5 minute session of us laughing where is hurt. Good times and a goofy memory maker.
Ice Bar
After leaving old town, we arrive at the Ice Bar. There are only a few of these in the world. I know of one in Las Vegas and tour guide said there was one in Chicago. Before entering the ice bar, we were given one vodka drink coupon. We then entered a small chamber to get our jacket and gloves. After putting these on, we entered another chamber for holding before entering the ice bar. Finally after a few minutes we entered the ice bar. It was 23 degrees, which is the same temperature all the time. The bartender has to work
a seven hour shift; however he said you get used to it. We immediately got our vodka mixed drink and drank it out of a ice carved glass. The room we were in was fairly small; however it was not any bigger than a small dance club. There was some great current dance music playing in the background, giving you the feeling of being in a bar. We spent about 20 minutes in the bar before having to exit to return to the tour bus. Before leaving, each of the kids, including myself, posed sticking our tongue on the ice wall. This was a awesome stop, a definite memory maker.
Ice bar visit saved the tour for the day. First the weather was heavy rain and the tour guide was grouchy.
Our cruise ship left port around 3:30pm and cruised down the wide channels taking us back to the Baltic Sea. I went out on the deck several times to watch the sites. I included a few of those photos.
I report back on my final blog for this trip once I am back in Houston. Enjoy.
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