Scandinavia - Sweden Goteborg and Stockholm

As the drive from Oslo to Goteborg was only three hours or so, I started scouring the maps for places of interest where we might stop on our way down.

This is Stenskeppt a Stone Ship and a pre-historic grave site. The area around this contains Bronze Age rock carvings and Iron Age Stone Ships such as this.  The area is on a rise overlooking the North Sea and very windy and cold!  Historians believe the ships were used as graves to symbolize the "Final Journey".  Some are surrounded by as many as 30 graves.

This is Bohus Fortress built by the Norwegians to defend their Southernmost boundary.  It was never captured though sieged 14 times.  The fortress was long considered the biggest and strongest fort in the Nordic region. The fort was manned by both Norwegians and Danes. It became Swedish by treaty in 1658.

This panorama shows the towns and two rivers the fortress protected.

As part of the museum, patrons can don medieval clothing and sit on replica thrones while their 7 or 8 year old son takes their picture.  We all got a laugh out of me taking theirs.

Goteborg

Was sure if we would find anything of note in Goteborg besides the Volvo factory.  Though not as splendid as Oslo, it did have its charm. The cranes give away what goes on in Goteborg.  Big time shipping.

Brahehus, Gränna, Sweden

This was once a home for a wealthy Swede's wife.  What an incredible view she had out of any window.

Looks a little like the Alamo.

This is a restored Swedish village with a science center for kids, bed and breakfast establishments, retail shops and a working farm.

Stockholm Waterfront and City Hall.

Stockholm City Hall

Eating lunch on the steps of City Hall, Stockholm

The perfect mane for a lion with a ring in it's mouth.

Another view of city hall from the Ferry Terminal

Riddarholmskyrkan Church with it's steel church tower.

While standing on a corner waiting for a small procession to pass, I noticed the occupants were the King and Queen of Sweden.  So of course, I started shooting pictures.  Though it is hard to see, this did cause a little concern with the members of their staff and even them.  Amazing that this street is devoid of all the American security we are so used to.

Later that morning my son heard the Swedish Marine Band playing and we wandered over to see what was going on.

Of course someone had to do a Selfie!

Gamla Stan, Old Stockholm and it's narrow streets, with the unfortunate American culture displaying it's colors.

We decided to do the the Royal Palace museums and instead happened upon this parade or ceremony.  We never quite figured out what was going on until that evening's new when we learned of the government chaos and their Prime Minister resigning while we watched from outside.

Carl XVI Gustaf  King of Sweden with his Queen in their royal coach.

The van must have been for the not so important people.

Someone climbed this statue and placed this mask over the face of  King Gustaff III.   Interesting.  Part of the political upheaval going on in Sweden?

Inside the Royal Palace and Church.

 This was odd.  Water spewing out of the Parliament building wall into a catch basin.  Not necessarily something for people to use.

All this modern architecture of grey and metal, juxtaposed with the old red tile and brown tones of yesteryear.

As this ends my photo marathon, I thought this boat's name was interesting and confusing.  Docked on one of Stockholm's canals in downtown.

What a great trip.  Hope you enjoyed the photos and thanks for viewing and sharing.