Djurgarden: the green heart of Stockholm
There are many ways to feel at home in a strange city. A thousand details to the whim of every traveler, sometimes imperceptible to others, Make a Difference. Except infrequent crush at first sight, are evergreen those flashes that we earn for the cause. Yo no me felt part of Stockholm until I got on a bike and toured the island of Djurgarden, the green lung of the city, embedded in a natural park full Swedish capital. And the city lives on wheel-bicycle, means-, a culture deeply rooted in the population for years to which we must approach the backside on the saddle and hands on the handlebars. Stockholm is difficult to understand without getting on a bike. And if it's between the landscapes of Djurgarden, far better.
My previous visit to Stockholm, ten years ago, had been very hasty. A walk on the run fleeing from too many hours at the airport scale. Even then I was surprised the extensive network of bike lanes (700 km, there is nothing) that rehilaba entire city and respect for drivers and pedestrians to bicycles. Me prometí volver.
I did not feel part of Stockholm until I got on a bike and toured the island of Djurgarden, the green lung of the city
Too late, but eventually the goal turned last October. I walked a lot, tens hours (I have a report in VaP. pending on these walking routes), much as he had done only, I, in New York, but after months, when I think of that trip I am pedaling Djurgarden among gigantic trees and yellow leaves carpeted floor.
And that the first visit we did walk. We started in the Djurgardsbron bridge, testimony of the Exhibition 1896 and the natural entrance to the park opposite the row of casoplones overwhelming and mansions Strandvägen. The two major milestones Djurgarden, you deserve more than a few lines in this post, son y el Vasa Museum Skansen. Latter, the first open-air museum in the world, is a journey through Swedish history through their houses and farms, moved carefully from all points of the country. It's best to get as far away from the town (a recreation that I thought of cardboard and left me completely cold) and wander through the paths between small farms and wooden houses. Should dedicate a morning and avoid as far as possible weekends (admission is 110 crowns).
When I think of that trip I am pedaling Djurgarden among gigantic trees and yellow leaves carpeted floor
As to Vasa Museum it is one of the most dazzling museums I've ever met, perhaps because it moves away from the concept that we usually have them. Inside is a boat, warship Vasa, which sank in Stockholm harbor 10 August 1628 minutes after launching. Fifty people were killed. After 333 years at the bottom of the sea, in 1961 was able to rescue from the waters and his meticulous reconstruction (there must recompose over 13.500 pieces) enabled the opening of the museum in June 1990, accessible in the place where it sank. The visit is overwhelming and essential for anyone visiting Stockholm. The two hours I was there (haste rushing at closing) I made short.
But that day we were to museums. We wanted to give back to the island complete walk. And that's what we did, starting from Nordic Museum to Blockhusudden, at its eastern end, and returning along the Djurgardsbrunnskanale, the channel that separates Djurgarden Ladugardsgardet, where you have to climb the Communications Tower to binge on the best views of Stockholm from above.
Autumn has made the rounds around the park has a melancholy halo
It's cold and humidity is high, but enjoy the ride as we stumble at every step with a view that more than offset the three-hour walk. Autumn has made the rounds around the park has a melancholy halo. On the banks of Animals Gardening Brunnsviken, parents walking their babies enjoying their half year low paternity and sportier scamper puffing effort.
Had to return. But this time by bicycle. We did a couple of days later. No excuses to help us rule out pedaling. Just past the bridge Djurgardsbron, right hand, Bikes can be rented in a small food kiosk. The price is expensive (80 crowns for one hour), but unless we rent one for several days in the Stockholm City Bikes, we have no choice but to jump through hoops. While in Sweden is mandatory helmet use, not normally included in the rent. We do not got along without it and pedaled.
Just past the bridge Djurgardsbron, the left, Bikes can be rented in a small food kiosk
We opted to tour the southern part of the park, bordeando electricity Animals Gardening Brunnsviken desde la Bla Porten, replica of the many blue doors that once allowed access to the royal hunting. The bike has multiple gears for changing the plate and manage efforts, but as the trail climbs, the hours that you have not I dedicate to the sport terribly cast. Fortunately, scarce slopes all the way and not very demanding.
As the trail climbs, the hours that you have not I dedicate to the sport terribly cast
The return to the shores of relaxes and breathes energy Djurgardsbrunnskanale, the always gushing nature when man insists on checking pulses misplaced urban. The ride is great and while pedaling Ladugardsgardet to cross back over the bridge I feel Djurgardsbron, finally, at peace with the city.
