TOML - Göteborg, Home Away From Home.

Country: Sweden
Time: 24 Jul 2007 - 27 Jul 2007 and 06 Aug 2007 - 08 Aug 2007
Places visited: Konstmuseet (Museum of Art), Röhsska Museet (Swedish Design Museum), Trädgårdsföreningen (Horticulture Gardens), Paddan Boat Tour (along canal and to harbour), Göteborgs Stadsmuseum, Vasa Church, Christinae Church, Styrsö, Central Station, Nordstan.

It was nothing like summer. A slight drizzle greeted us at Göteborg Landvetter Airport. We had our first taste of the expensive transport in Europe. The short 15 min drive from the airport to my girlfriend's apartment near Avenyn cost us 500 SEK (about S$113). Our cab whizzed past the trucks on the highway at around 130km/hr. I thought I saw the the speed limit sign said 80. Hmmm. Well the conclusion is that when in Europe, try not to take cab unless it is absolutely necessary, eg. in our case when we need to get to airport. In most cities, there are train or metro stations at the airports.

We had our first meals in a Japanese restaurant ran by a Hong Konger couple. I guess many other cultures are weaved into the Swedish culture. In fact it is easier to find such Indian, Chinese, Italian restaurants than Swedish ones. Can you imagine we found a Thai convenient store ran by a Vietnamese lady who spoke to us in Cantonese? That store was important to us as we bought our favourite Milo and white rice there. =)

My girlfriend's mum and I (which I will refer as "we" in this entry) decided to take things slow in Göteborg as we had many days there so that we can truly enjoy the holiday. There was no hurry to visit all the places of interest within a day. As typical Singaporeans, we decided to go shopping the next day. Besides they were having the Sommer Rea! Yes, you guessed it. Summer Sales! And some shops were having SLUT REA! Eh. Before you start having the wrong thoughts, it means "End Sale". Probably end of summer sales or something. I bought a few nice shirts at a shopping street Fredsg near Brunnsparken. They were at half the price of those you get in Singapore. Other than men's shirt, everything else was still expensive. At least 3 times the price in Singapore. But I must say Swedish have wonderful taste, cuz everything from cushions to kitchen decos seemed so "designer" style.

We usually meet up with my dear for lunch. Everything is walking distance, so is her workplace. We ate at an Indian restaurant, "Mother India", near Nordstan (one of the biggest shopping mall) where I met her colleagues in her team. We ate at a steakhouse, "Jensen", where you collect discount stamps for each main course. We ate at a Greek restaurant during one windy afternoon, where you have free flow salad of delicious fried cauliflower. We ate at an Italian restaurant, "Lavaca", which served one of the best lasagna I ever ate and in a huge serving. We had the famous Shrimp Bread at "Heaven23".

The name Heaven23 is because it is located on the top level (23rd storey) of the tallest building in Göteborg.

Trams, bus and bicycles are the main form of transport in Göteborg, other than walking. There have dedicated lanes for cyclists which make it safe for everyone.

Besides food and transport, it is expensive to pee in Sweden too. Entry to toilet cost 5 SEK (about S$1). The toilet doors are usually fixed with a device that unlocks when you drop the coin in. At train stations where there are bathing facilities, toilet entry cost 10 SEK. The doors are electronically secured. Other than the high cost, I don't see the need for any "Keep Toilet Clean Campaign" in Sweden to keep them in top conditions.

Credit cards used as the main form of transactions. Usually people use the cards with their PINs (sorta like NETS in Singapore). As tourist, we may need to show our passports if we request to use signatures.

If I am earning in SEK (ie. earning lotsa $$), I don't mind living in Göteborg. Of cuz I will miss my friends and family, so I hope everyone can move there with me. Heh heh. It is safe and clean like Singapore, but the lifestyle is less tensed. The weather is great (at least for summer). The streets are beautiful, so are the apartments you live in. There are lotsa room for nature. It can also be quite happening with peaceful protests on the streets, or celebrations when the IFK Göteborg wins a match. Throughout the year there are festivals and events.

Having said so much, I think its better to let the pictures do the talking...

This is the pride of the people of Göteborg. In front of the Konstmuseet is the statue of the Poseidon.

The Trädgårdsföreningen sits in the middle of the town, beside the river. Many people go there to stroll, relax, enjoy the sun and ice cream.

In one of the greenhouse of the Trädgårdsföreningen,

There is a rose garden with almost all the species of roses you can find in the world,

The Paddan Boat Ride took us around the canal, into the harbour, and into the history of Göteborg.

Our pretty boat ride guide,

A church at the fish market. A smelly affair if you choose to have your wedding ceremony in there. heh heh.

This bridge used to be able to turn for boats to go through.

And this bridge is known as the "shavehead bridge". Everyone had to duck to the floor of the boat otherwise our head would be goners!

The first Swedish warship equipped with missiles.

This sailboat "Viking" is stuck in the harbour forever as its mast are too high for the bridges surrounding the harbour.

This building is known as the "Lipstick" as it looks like one!

From far, you can see this tower. On top of the tower is the statue of the Seaman's wife, still waiting for her husband to return from the sea.

Göteborg used to have 3 busy shipyards, now only one is operational. A close up look at the dock.

The Vasa Church, made of granite from Bohus county and opened in 1909. The presbytery paintings are by Albert Eldh.

Christinae Church. Opened in 1648, also called the German Church. The are 42 bells which were introduced in 1961 that chime at 8am, 12 noon, 6 and 8pm.

Across the river from Christinae Church, you can see the financial hub of Göteborg.

Just beside the Christinae Church is the Göteborgs Stadsmuseum. The museum is located in the former East India Company House, built in the 1750s.

The couryard of this museum is beautiful!

The wet market in Göteborg.

Palladium the cinema, notice tickets for different movies are at different prices?

And on the real summer day, the sun was bright, dear's mentor took us to the southern islands, Styrsö, for picnic on the rocks, Swedish-style. It is one of the largest islands in the southern archipelago and has been long associated with farming.

It is one of the favourite activity of Swedes in the summer, to bask in the sun and go for a swim!

We took a brisk walk across the island to the rocks where we had our picnic.

Along the way, there were many nice flowers grew by the islanders!

The beautiful setting sun...