Day 11, from Lillehamer to Geiranger, Norway

Maihaugen open air museum in Lillehammer, Norway. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maihaugen )

Maihaugen open air museum in Lillehammer, Norway.

Maihaugen open air museum in Lillehammer, Norway.

Maihaugen open air museum in Lillehammer, Norway.

A real? troll at Lom, Norway.


Stave church in Lom, Norway. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lom_stave_church )

A bunch of heather in Norway.

Winding road leading into Geiranger, Norway.

Geiranger Fjord, Norway.

Day 10, to Lillehammer, Norway

Bright sun this morning! On the coach (bus) at 8:30am. First stop, Nusnäs, where they make the Dala Horses. We had a demo of a worker at the bandsaw making the rough cuts. He was truly an artist at the saw; every one cut perfectly. In a nearby room a lady was busy painting the horses; unbelievable how quick and exact she was (see photo below).

Our evening meal in Lillehammer was each a Fish and Chips and a beer for about $65 Canadian! Oh well, just part of the adventure of travel. We are really enjoying our tour of Scandinsvia.

Ted on a Dala Horse.


Michelle on a Dala Horse.


Dala Horse painter at work.


Olympic ice skating rink called "the Viking Ship" at Hamar, Norway. This is where the Tanya Harding saga took place during the 1994 Olympics.

Street in Lillehammer, Norway.

Manhole cover in Lillehammer, Norway.

Day 9, Sweden

Dragon above a door in Sigtuna, Sweden.

The huge Cathedral in Uppsala, Sweden. One of the biggest churches we have ever seen, ever. Built in the 1300's! (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uppsala_Cathedral ).


The Cathedral of Uppsala, Sweden.

The world's largest Dala Horse at a gas station in Sala, Sweden. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalecarlian_horse ).

Building near Carl Larsson's house in Sundborn, Sweden.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Larsson for more info on Carl Larson.

Bridge/building near Carl Larsson's house in Sundborn, Sweden.

Fishing near Carl Larsson's house in Sundborn, Sweden.

House Sparrow eating Red Currants near Carl Larsson's house in Sundborn, Sweden.

Day 8, Stockholm

STOCKHOLM SIGHTSEEING with a local guide. We visited the City Hall’s ‘Gold Room’ where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. We then continued into the medieval island heart of the city to view the cathedral, walk through the Old Town and see the Royal Palace.

Then a highlight visit to one of Europe’s greatest attractions, the Vasa (or Wasa) Galleon - a marvellous impression of life on board a well preserved 17th century naval vessel (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship) ).

A view of Stockholm, Sweden.


Stockholm, Sweden.


A model of the Vasa.


The actual Vasa - we were much impressed by the size of this ship.


The "Blue Hall" in city hall, Stockholm, Sweden. It looks like it is outdoors but it is a huge room within city hall. Apparently the architect had plans to have the bricks covered over with blue glazed tiles, but once finished, decided to leave the redbricks au naturel.


The changing on the guards parade at the Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden.


Downtown Stockholm.


Downtown Stockholm.


Downtown Stockholm.

Day 7, to Stockholm, Sweden

We took the catamaran car ferry from Denmark to Gøteborg, Sweeden then drove to Stockholm.

On the way we stopped for lunch at Jönköping (on Lake Vattern). Arrived in Stockholn around 6:30 - 7:00pm. We ate at a nearby pub before going up the town's tower to view the city at night. I (Ted) then followed a group of us to the Ice Bar for the "Ice Bar Experience"; Michelle went back to the hotel.

Turf roof near restaurant at Jönköping, Sweeden.


Lunchtime at Jönköping, Sweeden.


The Swedish Giant


The Ice Bar experience, Stockholm, Sweden.


The Ice Bar experience, Stockholm, Sweden.


The Ice Bar experience, Stockholm, Sweden.

Day 6, Denmark

Today was rainy and foggy when we got up. We had showers and sunny periods interspersed throughout the day. We left Copenhagen at 8 am., crossed the "Big Belt" bridge (18 km. long)and stopped in Odense to see Hans Christian Andersen's house. Then we stopped at Rebild in Nat'l park for coffee and apple dessert. Continued on to Frederikshavn, where we had dinner in a nice local restauant. We had a choice between fish and beef. We both had the fish- 3 kinds of fish - a delicious supper. It was raining before dinner so we went by bus but walked back to the hotel afterward. Lovely evening!! We're getting to know some of the people in our group.

Hans Christian Andersen statue outside a hotel in Odense, Denmark.


Actual house that H.C. Andersen lived in (the yellow one on the right).


Rebild in Nat'l park, Denmark.


Bust of Victor Borge at Rebild in Nat'l park, Denmark.

Day 5, Copenhagen

On the bus this morning at 8:15 for a city tour. Went inside the Christianborg Palace and saw the Rosenborg and Amelienborg Palaces. A quick stop for photos of the Little Mermaid and then we got dropped off in the shopping district. The afternoon tour, which cost extra, we didn`t go on because it went where Nils had already taken us! So we went to Illum dept store where I bought a cup of coffee and apple danish for 70 DKK or $14!!! I thought Doug was exaggerating whn he said how expensive everything was!!!! When we walked back to the hotel it was raining lightly. At 6 pm we joined the group for Xmas dinner at the Copenhagen Cafe near the canal - roast pork, red cabbage, and for dessert - rice pudding with almonds and a hot cherry sauce. Delicious!!

The Little Mermaid checking her make-up? Actually, a film crew doing something.

The Christianborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Centre town Copenhagen, Denmark.

Our hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark.