We left Stockholm on the fast train this morning. We were a little concerned about the clocks on the platform though.
We are getting better at finding our seats…
It is a fabulous way to travel, find your seat get settled recline with a good book, some tunes & scrumptious chocolates. Settle Kermit in too.
We arrived and left the station looking for Tram 1 or 11. Turns out, it was just across the street. This part is not always easy. We don’t have much luggage but it feels heavy dragging it on uneven cobblestone & brick streets. Then lifting them up stairs while the locals wait patiently. We’re still in Norwegian countries.
Have we mentioned how much better it is to travel by train than flying? We bought our tickets the day before from a friendly agent without having to wait in line. We showed up about 45min before the train was scheduled to depart, had a coffee and a fresh breakfast ham and cheese on a ciabatta roll, walked down the concourse to our train and when it arrived (on time), boarded our car, put all our bags in the spacious overhead rack, settled into our comfy, reclining armchairs, and stretched our legs. We left on time, the conductor simply smiled as he passed by and checked his small tablet with the passenger list. A few minutes after we left the station, the conductor came on the PA system and announced (in Swedish AND English) that the ‘bistro’ was open with coffee, tea, and fresh fruit (included with out tickets), just help yourself.
No herds of humans standing around blocking everyone else, or arguing with ticket agents; no lines or security checkpoints where you had to unpack half of your stuff and take off your clothes to go through x-ray machines. And, no trying to find some place to sit then waiting to be herded into a plane with not enough storage space for your 2 small carryons, and a seat barely big enough to be comfortable for a 2 year old! Or they take your bag off the plane because they’re overweight and you don’t see your bag for days after buying a first class ticket.
The time flew by, and we arrived on time, feeling relaxed and eager to start exploring! Relaxing, comfortable travel. What a concept!
We got off the tram at the second stop. We didn’t see anyone paying and there was no conductor on board, so maybe it was free today because it was a holiday! It was a short walk to the hotel from there. We settled in the hotel and were quite peckish. I looked on trusty Tripadvisor and found a restaurant called Bord 27, rated #1 out of 1,627 restaurants and it’s only 2k from our hotel.
It didn’t look like much and was in a run down part of town, but we took a seat in a little wooden row bench outside and soon Yvonne helped us decide on the courses. It didn’t take long, and it was well worth the wait! Each dish was a unique flavor explosion! The presentation was perfect and highlighted every unique ingredient. A treat for the eyes as well as the palette.
First up a lobster and shrimp taco with their special salsa; pineapple, cilantro and lemon.
Next up charred scallops with shaved pickled cucumber, browned butter, house-made hot sauce and crispy rice paper.
More more more! A crispy potato cake with white bean “svedjan” cream cheese, ajo blanco, elder flower pickled vegetables, summer truffle, fresh dill and crunchy almond crumble.
When we asked Yvonne which was her favorite desert she said, “they served this on New Year’s Eve and the first taste brought a tear to her eyes…“
If you are EVER in Göteborg Sweden you must go to experience this culinary magic.
WOW WOW WOW WOW
We hustled back to the hotel as we were afraid the called for rain would show up before we made it back. I hope this system rains itself out overnight so we can enjoy the city and the warmer temps.
