Ann & Gary's 2013 Adventure: Happy birthday Norway

May 17 is Norway National Day to celebrate Norway's independence from Swedish rule in 1814. As I said yesterday we had a long walk to the bus station but as the city was in shut down, there was no traffic and very few people (well what sane person would be out walking the city streets at 7am) - only us!. We had a lovely walk really and came across a few locals in national dress - something we don't have at home on Australia Day.

Arrived in Stockholm mid-afternoon - had another lengthy walk (yes, over more cobblestones) from the train station to our hotel in the old town on the harbour. Stockholm was a complete surprise to me - we had only seen the area near our hotel - the old town but it was like France or Italy - narrow, winding cobblestone streets - not what we had seen previously in Scandinavia. Absolutely loved what we saw - this is the Europe we love. Decided to join a free walking tour and tour the old town. Started off well but we lost the group after about 1/2 hr. We were taking photos, turned around and the group had gone. Oh well, these things happen. It was getting close to dinner time anyway so we looked round for a restaurant and stumbled across a real gem. Reindeer was on the menu and we thought, why not - it was delicious - just like eating eye fillet. The only thing missing were the antlers - the waitress said maybe next time.

Seeing Stockholm by bus and boat tomorrow - can't wait to see more of this beautiful city - that is if we don't lose the group again.