Grateful goodbyes

Mike and I have been on the move for the past week or so, following are some highlights of our Scandinavian sojourn.

Stockholm was magical with its bridges and glistening waterways, sunshine greeted us each day as we walked across bridges from Sodermalm to Gamla Stan to Ostermalm and took a boat around the island of Djurgarden. One day as we walked back to our hotel we passed an intriguing place where we happened to look in on some people who lived on that particular street..as it turned out Kathleen and Victor lived on the ground floor in their beautiful home in this historic building. 

You can see their building in the top center of this photo with the round spired roof...we ended up making friends and when we came back through Stockholm were invited to a lively dinner with them in their unique apartment. She is from Nebraska but has lived in Europe since she was 18 and Victor is from Argentina and has lived in Sweden for years..fascinating life stories!!

After a few days in Stockholm we took a ferry to the beautiful island of Gotland where we were warmly welcomed at the Hotel Stelor by the owner Karin ..it felt like we had come home when we walked into the informal barn they had turned into a cozy candlelit restaurant. We loved our stay here in the country and could've definitely stayed longer.

They have a weekly community Sunday night dinner buffet that we so enjoyed, wonderful! I was able to get a special secret Gotlandic dessert recipe!

 Next morning we drove to the most southern part of the island and swam in the Baltic with all the vacationing Swedes and Germans..very nice!

Headed back to Stockholm and then came back to Gothenborg. The next day we took a ferry to the archipelago, Bränö island and walked to connecting Galtero island from there

In Galtero island there is a bridge where people swim and horses and lots of sheep graze

the next day we rode bikes to another ferry nearby  to see an exhibit at Roda Sten art center

our last stop was Copenhagen-a colorful and unique city for sure!

we loved this bronze door across the street from where we stayed at the Hotel Opera 

The first morning we took off on bikes which was a perfect way to get in the groove of Copenhagen, 35% of the population rides.

we rode through freetown Christiana, a large self governing hippie commune

famous for pusher street where one can buy hash and marijuana

so many vibrant houses, shacks and funky art, charming!

later took the train to the nearby town of Humlebaek to visit the Lousiana Museum of Art

I had heard from everyone how beautiful the setting was but experiencing it was another story..sitting high on a hill overlooking the Baltic surrounded by Calders and Moores a terrific cafe and even a private swimming area

The permanent collection was totally engaging 

George Grosz was known for his caricatural drawings in the 1920's 

 A highlight was artist and writer Yayoi Kusawa's piece. 

only two people can go in this room at a time to experience her wonderful environmental installation- water surrounds the small walkway we stood on- walls and ceilings are mirrored and lit with multi-colored blinking

 lights

The biggest surprise was the Yoko Ono retrospective! A chance to  see a ton of her drawings, videos, music, installations and other conceptual work along with some of John Lennons.

photo of Yoko in the 60's making a poster for one of her first shows in NYC

Yoko's concept for world peace make a wish tree..wishes go  to the "Imagine Peace Tower" in Reykjavik, Iceland

we took a relaxing boatride on the canals our last morning in Copenhagen, the water was smooth as glass and the brightly colored boats shimmered ..

We passed the national opera house in Denmark on the island of Holmen ..we couldnt get over the cantilevered roof

Our last night we met an engaging man who grew up in Denmark   who now lives in San Francisco, fascinating person

He suggested we see the Museum of Decorative Arts which was a short walk away after our boat ride.

It was worth it, the exhibition presented a selection of unique and non-traditional jewellery art from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Estonia titled "From the Coolest Corner"  ..fabulously displayed!! We also loved some of the pieces in the permanent collection of the history of Danish furniture design.

chair and ottoman made entirely of stacked newspaper, one behind it is cardboard

Two more days to enjoy a bit more of the archipelago and the city here as I pack up to fly HOME SWEET HOME

There is always so much more to share but I will leave you with the following quote I discovered in Gothenburg one day in between two stores.

  Another reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. I look so forward to seeing you and hearing highlights of your past few months..

sending much love and light