The Swedish Saga, Volume 5: The Last Hurrah 

Two of my favorite things to do when I am in Malmö are walk around downtown (shop) and go down to the harbor, Västra Hamnen. I can’t think of too many things better than having coffee oceanside (in a climate that is actually pleasant enough to have coffee outside in the middle of the summer). This trip has been shorter than normal…so it seems like every day has had an agenda with a laundry list of things to do. Wednesday, our last full day in the Swedish stad…I still hadn’t made my way down to the the place where God created heaven on earth. Ok…maybe not…but it has to be similar. It wasn’t what you would consider beach weather (65ish, cloudy, drizzly), but I was still going…because a trip to Malmö is not legit if I don’t. I got my happy cup (Thanks, Espresso House, for always being there for me when Starbucks can’t be) and walked down by the water to my happy place.☕️🌊🙃

The colder version of the classic beach photo

God’s beautiful work

We usually travel to a different country while here, but since our stay was shorter than usual, we traveled within Sweden instead. The last few days of the trip we traveled up the West Coast to Gothenburg, the 2nd biggest city in Sweden…and also one I hadn’t been to before. My in-laws have a summer home in Veddige, right outside of it. Veddige. Countryside. Podunk Sweden. It was so quiet and peaceful.  No wifi.  Fully “disconnected”.  Some people might call this camping. 

This would make the perfect lake house.

I made my “Things I Must Do List” (as I do for any new place I visit) for Gothenburg and headed to the city. We only had about 24 hours…so I planned accordingly. Paddan. Avenyn. Sleep. Universeum. Haga. And whatever else I could squeeze in. Girl on a mission. 🙋🏼

Paddan is a canal tour that takes you through canals that date back to the 17th century.  It was really neat.

An Old War Ship. If I remember correctly. Haha:)

Avenyn is the main strip that’s lined with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. Great people-watching. We ate at this Thai restaurant that had the weirdest atmosphere (It was like an exotic jungle theme with neon lights…and Bob Marley was the guest of honor.)…but dang that food was good.

Universeum was on the top 10 things to do…according to TripAdvisor…so it was on the top of Lindsay’s things to do as well. Ocean life, Rainforest, Space exhibit, exotic animals, etc.

Expectations: 🤗💃🏼💥🔥🤠👌🏻

Actual: 😏🙈😱🙍🏼😴💔

1000 kids running around; A rainforest that was so warm and humid that I thought I was in Arkansas in mid July….right before a rainstorm…wearing a snow suit; exotic animals that were either asleep or “hiding”; and a space exhibit that was just sub par. Although…I did get to sit on a space toilet.👩🏼‍🚀🚽💁🏼

The aquarium was definitely the best part. Sharks🦈, Nemo🐠, Sebastian🦀, Dory🐟….all of the important people. Overall…great for kids, but I won’t be going back any time soon.

Yeah…Just because. 🙂

Lady in red

I hate frogs. Like really. But this one is pretty behind the glass. 🙂

This guy let me get really close. Like up in his grill.

HELP! Get me out of here!

Love Birds (Insert lots of heart emojis.)

This fish was just really pretty. So I took a pic. 🙂

Don’t we all just wish we could do this sometimes? This is a stingray.

My Favorite! Grandpa Fish. He’s just chilling…probably wondering why everyone is staring at him.

Haga…also known as “Old Town”…was this charming little area full of coffee cafes, bakeries, and shops interconnected by cobblestone streets full of locals and wandering tourists. So many coffee shops and bakeries. I’m still trying to figure out how they all manage to stay open. But then again…who doesn’t love those fine delicacies of life? Oh…and the ice cream was delicious.🙃

The beautimous sunset over the “Fish Church”

We got back to Malmö just in time to squeeze some last-minute shopping in before we packed up to head home. Packing = strategic positioning when you buy yourself 3 pairs of shoes…and you have a 10 1/2-month-old niece that looks cute in everything. 👼🏻👠👗👛❤️🙃

Another trip to Sweden in the books. Family.  Friends.  Always Fun Times.

Side Notes:

I never found the Tiny Mouse Shops. I’m sorry I let you down, Ashley. #Fail  

Things I have seen that you wouldn’t normally see at home:

• A Ferrari, Tesla, Porsche, and a Maserati…all in the same day.
• A hot, blonde chick working for the city…picking up trash (The Swede so graciously pointed this one out.) Of course he did. 🙄
• Old men playing soccer.
• A guy wearing a puffy, down winter jacket (zipped up) in July.
• A guy wearing a puffy, down winter jacket…and someone “sunbathing” in a bikini…same place, same day.
• Man capris. Everywhere. Young…old…doesn’t matter. I still want to get some for Gaylon. Long shorts with extra cargo pockets…just for you, dad. Winning. 
• A baby in the front seat of a car (Yes…it’s legal.)
• Floor #1.5 in an elevator (Platform 9 3/4🤓)

Random Things:

I will miss seeing things like this along my morning runs…

I wonder what these ducks are thinking….

I will miss the strolls along the beach…

Dance lessons on the beach!

If you look in the far left corner, you can see a couple dancing on the beach.

This is the Swedes’ version of “we had a late lunch so we aren’t really hungry…so we will have a light snack instead of eating dinner.”

Until next time!

Big Hugs.  Lots of Love.

P.M.T.