Fast Forward

Before posting more stories about our cruise (back to that soon!), I thought I'd skip ahead to the end of our trip to report on our visit with Mark, Anna, and Felix. After disembarking from the Ms Prinsendam in Amsterdam, we flew to Copenhagen, where Mark met us. We traveled by train to a station near his home in Sweden, where Anna and Felix met us. Anna fixed a wonderful meal for us that evening (and every other evening we were there!!). They were terrific hosts.


Our arrival time wasn't ideal for getting acquainted with great nephew Felix, but we took care of that the next morning. Felix will be one year old on October 7th. After a little time, he warmed up to us, and we became great friends. He is a wonderful little boy, and we thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with him.



On Sunday, we went for a tour of sites along the coast of southeast Sweden. We visited a medieval manor called Glimmimgehus, about which you can read more here. The Danish knight who built this place for himself was quite paranoid. Anna pointed out the numerous things he built into the structure to allow defenders to eliminate anyone who attempted to enter. Every measure taken was backed up by yet another measure.



Next we went to see Ales Stenar, about which you can read more here. There is evidently much controversy about what this place actually is, and since it is quite old, no one can know with certainty. However, it is natural to want to compare it to Stonehenge. It sits on a high hill overlooking the Baltic Sea. After viewing it, we walked down to a tiny village where there was a small seafood shop and enjoyed fish and other good things.


Anna had to work on Monday, so Mark and Felix took Kathie and me for a tour of Lund, a Swedish city which blends a university community, an active business district, and old-world charm. Among other things, we saw there a grand old cathedral, which contained the most amazing clock, which you will see below. Mark also showed us numerous rune stones.



At one point on this beautiful, sunny day, we stopped for some refreshment, and I took a number of pictures of Felix, who was such a good traveler.


At one point, with some help from his Dad, Felix put on a display of his vocal abilities for us. Here is a little movie I made of that. Be prepared to laugh, and listen for Kathie to say, "Can you do that in Swedish too?"



Again, it was a wonderful visit. Thanks, Mark, Anna, and Felix!