Gott Nytt År (Happy New Year)
We hope you enjoyed your New Year celebrations and here’s what we’ve been up to over the last few days.
We were up early (6am) on the 30th to get to Kungsberget (King’s Mountain), which meant we saw the 8:30am sunrise on the way. When we arrived, the five of us (Sam, Sophie, David, Gustab and Stina) got our lift passes and headed to the learner’s slope. It was both of ours first time snowboarding. Some of us (Sam) picked it up quicker than others (Sophie) and consequently, here’s a photo of Sophie and a video of Sam.
After lunch Sam tackled a more difficult, longer and steeper slope which was definitely faster and more fun but made him look like a real beginner again. We had a really good day, Sam is very keen to go again but Sophie, not so much. The next day we both felt the effects of using muscles we didn’t know we had. Here’s a photo of the slopes from the carpark. This photo was taken at 4pm and the sun had already been down for an hour.
Over the next few days we didn’t do too much, just some general exploring, window shopping and sight-seeing. Stockholm has four main parts which are all so well kept so we are really enjoying our time here. Here’s a photo of the old part of Stockholm in the afternoon.
On New Year’s Eve, David had a black-tie dinner to attend so we had a pretty quiet night at his apartment because Sophie was feeling quite sick and we were both a bit sore from the snowboarding. Fortunately, there were fireworks going off constantly from 8pm on almost every corner. Here’s a view from our vantage point of the midnight fireworks.
On the 2nd we flew to Göteborg where Emil picked us up from the airport and then took us to watch his Floorball training (Floorball is Ice Hockey without the ice). He then dropped us at his apartment which he has vacated so we can stay here for four nights. Göteborg is a really nice costal city despite the constant drizzle. Yesterday we wandered down the main street and shopping mall and visited the Swedish Design Museum. Tonight we went out to dinner with Ludvig in the old part of town and tomorrow we hope to spend the day exploring more of the city with Emil.
We hope everything at home is good, we still haven’t seen any real snow but with another 10 days until we leave Sweden, we haven’t given up hope, yet.
Sam and Sophie
January 5th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hi Guys,
Looks like you are having a great time. Sam’s very first go on the snowboard??? or were there a few goes before the final cut?
We had a nice quiet time up at Jalee. Liz has been here the last couple of days which has been nice to catch up and this arvo we swap Liz for Britt who will stay till Monday when Marilyn, Liz and Britt then fly out to Sydney.
Lots of Love missing you - have fun and keep safe.
January 6th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Hi Soph & Sam,
As always you look wonderful Sam, gliding down that slope. Don’t worry Soph you have hidden talents. You haven’t talked about the weather and being frozen very much so I am assuming that your clothes are right and the weather mild.
I am really impressed with the way you are getting around, seeing and doing lots of things.
Our trip yesterday to Monkey Mia was long but great even though the dolphins did not show. Megs and I arrived home this morning without any hitches. She went straight to bed, while I am trying to get organised to go to Mingindi tomorrow morning, and catching up with everybody. I will be out of range, so will have to rely on public telephones if there are any.
Love you both, keep safe.
MUM.
PS. I am keeping Michael up to date as much as I can. He sends his love.
January 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Hey guys
Great to hear all about your travels, I have 3 mins left on the computer so haven’t had a chance to read it all but look forwrad to it when I get home.
I’m in Moshi Tanzania atm. Saw kili for the first time yesterday, its huge, but you’ll be pleased to know
that hardly anyone on our trip had trained at all! The tour is fairly diff from contiki, I’m one of the oldies which is different - the majority of our group is 18 or turning 18 on the trip.
We’re going to the school for a language lesson this afternoon and then we’ve got our homestay tonight with one of the teachers. No idea what they’re houses will be like so will be interesting. The varying degrees of wealth is amazing. Its fairly hot here so I’m doing my best not to get sunburnt which is proving a tad difficult but I’m going OK so far.
Dubai was great - didn’t make the dessert safari cos em had to work and didn’t get off in time and also didn’t make Burj Al Arab because it was booked out. But I figure its an excuse to go back soon - perhaps when she has her first few flights from Brisy to Dubai.
Anyways thats about all for now - love you lots
xx
Naomi
January 7th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Hi
I have been following you in your adventure and becoming more and more green with envy.So great to be able to see where you are.
Just wanted to let you know Abbey and I have been thinking of you during Christmas and New Year.
Keep safe love always Jane.
January 8th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Still having a terrific time - great to read of your exploits still. Michael & I had a wonderful few days in Stockholm in 2003 - we really enjoyed the museum where they’ve restored the old timber ship that was under water for decades - can’t remember the name of the museum. Enjoy your travels - it’s trying to rain in Bne but not doing a fantastic job of that!!
regards, Kerry
January 11th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
hi you two
Been in Sydney since Monday - kel been to chiro with her hip and Britt has had me working on a totaly redecoration of her room by moving alll the furninture etc Aunty Liz here till saturdayEating lots of Aunty Carol’s yummy cooking - just t o tempt you that ome things about home aare good
Wonderful to continue to read your adventures - so glad you are really seeing lots of stuff - cant believe on ly about two weeks to go and you are back
keep safe
love
aunty marilyn
January 12th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Hey guys,
Just thought I would reply to you kind people.
Mrs Cossart - yes there were a few takes before that video, but still Sam picked it up really quickly.
Mum - you may not read this but if you are able to access internet; I spoke to dad today. He informed me you got there safely and everything is well. I hope you are liking the work. Yes the weather has been very mild so our clothes are fine, we are glad we got waterproof shoes and jackets because there has been light rain a lot of the time.
Naomi - Sam is amazed you wrote that much in 3mins! I am glad you have got everywhere safely and are liking everything. I hope your homestay was ok. Have a good trek!!
Jane - Great to hear from you. It is a shame we were away at Christmas as this is one of the few times we see each other during the year. Happy new year to you and Abbey.
Mrs Tolhurst - We went to the Vasa Musuem yesterday. That is the name of the ship and yes it was incredible, we really enjoyed our time there. They brought it up 333 years after it sank on its maiden voyage (just to refresh your memory).
Marilyn and Nashs - As usual sounds like you are enjoying your time together. I am really sorry we were not there at Christmas with you all. And yes how could I forget Carols wonderful cooking.
See you all pretty soon
Soph