Matador - sweden

Lift off to Sverige in 2…1..wait!…4…3…

geotraveler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:36:48 -0500

Had I boarded my original flight today, it would have been attempted without a passport. As of this afternoon, it sits at the Swedish Embassy. Similar fond memories of past experiences at various embassies with my green passport come flooding back.

If my passport were blue, would my immigration worries...

I Saw Three Ships

geotraveler — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:46:46 -0500

We stuff leftover chocolate cake, brie cheese and crackers along with crispy bread and lox into a rugged rucksack. A silver canister filled with piping hot coffee joins the mix. Laser-like sun rays spill indoors through the balcony glass door warming everything in their path. I quickly slip into...

Port of Call: Riga

geotraveler — Sun, 4 May 2008 17:56:57 -0500

I recognized those haircuts. I’d seen them in 1987. Complete with tapered stonewashed jeans tucked into high top sneakers, teenagers and young adults filled all decks. This was, I presumed, going to be their booze cruise. The next demographic up were middle-aged men with forlorn looks dragging...

Welcoming spring

geotraveler — Thu, 1 May 2008 16:38:56 -0500

Happened to be in Stockholm on April 30th when all of Sweden celebrates Valborg - the arrival of spring. Not one to revel in festivities with historically pagan undertones, I ventured out into Skansen with an open mind to check it out. Pouring rain did nothing to dampen the sheer determination of...

To book or not to book?

geotraveler — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 20:51:41 -0600

Finally booking flights to Bermuda, I went to bed at 3 am last night. Like a woman possessed, I'd obsessed over this decision for the last few days; rationalizing it and trying to convince myself it was essential to my wellbeing.

A sort of quick belated Valentine’s celebration jaunt, I explain...

Dispatch: Racing on Thin Ice

geotraveler — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:41:25 -0600

Just experienced ice racing for the first time and boy, was it something!

Arctic Travel: Racing on Thin Ice

The sound of tiny spikes on wheels crunching through snow was the only sound we heard for miles. The dark umber landscape was caked in fresh, knee deep snow. An obvious glutton for frigid temperatures,...

Spicing it up in Stockholm

geotraveler — Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:37:34 -0600

Chilli. Red. White. Black. Cayenne. Paprika. Bell. Habanero.

You get the drift. These are the condiments I grew up on: sprinkling pepper on everything from eggs to beans just for the heck of it.

The last week has been a culinary meltdown of sorts. Cool cucumbers on every sandwich. Lox in...

Dispatch: Ice Hotel

geotraveler — Thu, 6 Dec 2007 16:58:32 -0600

Currently dispatching for Vagabondish.

Check out Dispatch #2: Way Past the Arctic Circle: A Journey to Sweden's Original Ice Hotel to get a sense of what a visit to an ice hotel entails...

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Ahhhh... Stockholm, Sweden

Ben — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 08:13:01 -0500

Sexy Stockholm! That pretty much sums up our time here. The weather is gorgeous, the architecture and design is stylish and clean. The people are good looking and friendly and the nightlife is rockin. Outdoor activities are based around the water and the islands off the coast, which means a lot of...

Cool Scandinavian Hotspots

geotraveler — Sun, 13 May 2007 13:13:30 -0500

With no shortage of cool hangouts to kick back and relax, here are just four scenes worthy of your time:

[Denmark]

Rust - Guldbergsgade 8, København N

[Sweden]

Kolingen - Underground cave-like joint - Kornhamnstorg 59B, Stockholm

[Norway]

Barongsai - Hippest hip-hop club - Møllergata...

Way past the Arctic Circle....

geotraveler — Sun, 13 May 2007 12:57:23 -0500

So New Years was spent across the Arctic Circle in Sweden, and the 6 things I clearly remember are:

- Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi
- Moose (not deer) sighting, running across the road
- Eating and absolutely loving cheap caviar
- 5 types of fish in 1 sitting!
- 2 hours of sunlight a day!
- Not understanding...