Today on the agenda - a boat ride out of Stockholm...
"There are 30,000 islands that make up the archipelago of Stockholm. These small islands dot the shoreline of Sweden, separating the city of Stockholm from the Baltic Sea. About 150 of these islands are inhabited year round, and several make a great day trip from Stockholm. The most popular islands to visit are Grinda, Vaxholm, Svartso, and Sandhamn.
These islands are connected with Stockholm by a frequent ferry service, the main companies being Waxholmsbolaget and Cinderella Batarna. We chose to visit Sandhamn, the island farthest from Stockholm and the last stop before entering the Baltic Sea."
These islands are connected with Stockholm by a frequent ferry service, the main companies being Waxholmsbolaget and Cinderella Batarna. We chose to visit Sandhamn, the island farthest from Stockholm and the last stop before entering the Baltic Sea."
So much waterfront property in and around Stockholm...
Look, a sailor high in the rigging of this tall ship...
"HSwMS Trossö (A264) is an auxiliary ship in the Swedish Navy. She was built in Finland for the Soviet Navy as an Akademik Shuleykin-class ice-strengthened patrol craft tender, launched in 1984 as Arnold Veymer and renamed Livonia in 1991. She was transferred to Estonia to carry out marine research in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic.
The Swedish Navy bought the ship from Estonia in September 1996 and she entered service in 1998 as HSwMS Trossö (A264). She was refitted in 2003 at Falkvarv, Falkenberg and now serves the 4th Naval Warfare Flotilla as a support ship. She also serves as a command ship during larger exercises.
In 2008, together with HSwMS Stockholm and HSwMS Malmö, she was in the Swedish naval force of Operation Atalanta, deployed off the Somali coast to fight piracy."
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 We headed out into the archipelago, again seeing so much waterfront real estate, and a light-ship. |  |
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This short cruise also showcased a lot of recreational craft underway -- our cruise ferry also featured a bit of narration by the boat staff.
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Some of the more inhabited islands get served by bridges and roadways.
 In a few areas, our ferry boat is just small enough to squeeze through narrow channels... |   |
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 |  Lunch is served aboard - fresh shrimp for Gerri and Swedish meatballs for Tim. |
 |  It's a busy day out on the archipelago waters. It's midweek, but in July, with many boating enthusiasts on summer "holiday" from work. Even a work-boat is getting in on the fun - it tows a 7-boat sail flotilla out to the competition spot. |
We're at the farthermost island, Sandhamn, and the ferry puts us ashore for a couple hours of exploration.
"Sandhamn (Swedish for "Sand Harbour") is a small island about 30 miles east of Stockholm. One of the most important natural ports in the archipelago on the Baltic Sea but with easy access to the Swedish capital, Sandhamn has been popular for pleasure boating since the late 19th century. While the settlement only has a hundred permanent inhabitants, the number of residents increases to 2-3,000 during the summer. Sandhamn receives an additional 100,000 day visitors annually. "
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Electric trike haulers bring in the goods from the docks -- a pedal-powered Swedish hydro-cycle!
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We found a geocache!!
Back on the ferry - heading back to Stockholm...
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As we get off the ferry at "home", we take a look at more "artsy" drink displays aboard.
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Heading home through the subway - it's mostly deep underground and loaded with curiosities.
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