Kalmar - Sweden National Day

Today is Sweden National Day, June 6th, 2024. It is the date on which Gustav Vasa was elected king in 1523. This laid the foundation for Sweden to become an independent state.

GLAD NATIONAL DAG SVERIGE!

It is also my grandson's birthday, Solomon James, who today is turning 4!

GRATTIS PÂ FÖRDELSEDAGEN SOLLY!

I like this hotel. This morning after yet another hearty breakfast I inquired about laundry. I have been in Sweden for two weeks and needed another laundry day. The hotel has a reasonably priced laundry service. I packed up three bags of laundry which will be serviced and delivered to my room for around $40! Thank you. That should last me until I get back to Novato.

As I came back to my room I noticed two racks of bicycles. I asked about the bicycles when I dropped off my laundry. The normal bicycles are free to guests and the electric bicycles are about $15 for a half day and $25 for a full day. Nice. 

I checked out one of the bicycles around 10:30 this morning with a loose agenda of seeing the Kalmar Castle and riding around the city of Kalmar. When asked when I planned on returning I casually said 2:30 this afternoon. Hmmmm.... 

I set off without the help of Google Maps and easily came upon the Kalmar Castle. Another request to a friendly Swede and I got this keepsake photo:

An English speaking castle tour was starting just as I bought my castle entry ticket. I hung out with the other English speaking tourists for a half hour before deciding to explore the castle on my own.

There is actually some creepy satanic stuff and videos on persecuting women as witches exhibited by the castle. However, I did come upon a couple of runestones!

I left the Kalmar Castle and rode a path along the Baltic Sea waterfront of Kalmar. I enjoyed the cool ocean breeze and the smell of the Baltic Sea. It smells different than the Pacific Ocean. 

I had passed a cafe on my way to the castle and my energy was waning. So it was time for coffee and perhaps something sweet?

While sitting outside the cafe I remembered I wanted to get to a grocery store to buy some snacks for my room. I rode to one of the largest most thoroughly stocked grocery stores I have ever been to. Seriously, an entire 15 foot aisle with nothing but tortilla chips!!!

I stocked up on a couple large bottles of water, some chips and pistachios and rode back to the hotel. As I returned the bicycle to the rack, a quick check on the time and it was 2:29. Really.

I went back to my room to freshen up, check emails and peruse the photos I took while at the castle.

I had passed a Thai food restaurant on my way back to the hotel from the grocery store and made a mental note as a possible for dinner. I checked out the same bicycle and the easy 4 minute ride got me there for the Pad Seafood, spicy but satisfying. 

Time to read my latest novel and do a little research for tomorrow's adventure. I pick up my rental car around noon and set out to explore the countryside around Kalmar where my ancestry has roots.