Day 306: Easy Day in Stockholm

Weather Update: Sunny with rain later, high 19°C

Elevation: 28 metres

Morning with Words & Photos

The morning was spent tying up loose ends—finishing blog entries, sorting through photos, and giving myself a gentle start. Sometimes the best part of travel is these quiet, practical hours where memories are gathered before the next adventure.

Namaste Stockholm – A Celebration of India

By midday, my trusty scooter carried me into the centre where Kungsträdgården park was alive with colour and sound. The occasion was Namaste Stockholm 2025, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture organised by India Unlimited in association with the Embassy of India in Sweden.

The theme this year was “Bridging Cultures – Celebrating Diversity.” The festival offered a range of activities, including yoga and wellness sessions, live dance and music, art and crafts, and, of course, a “Taste of India” food court. I learned that the Indian community here is raising around 7 million SEK (€640,000 / NZD 1.26 million) to help fund the purchase of land for a temple—a powerful expression of heritage and belonging in Sweden.

Tempting as the food stalls were, I had already prepared a meal waiting for me at the hostel—at a fraction of the price—so I contented myself with wandering, soaking up the atmosphere, and admiring the energy.

Kungsträdgården – From Royal Garden to Public Park

Kungsträdgården, where the festival was held, has an intriguing history of its own. Once the royal kitchen garden in the 15th century, it gradually evolved into a pleasure garden for the court before finally opening to the public in the late 18th century. Today it’s one of Stockholm’s most popular gathering places, hosting concerts, markets, and festivals throughout the year.

The park’s layered history—from royal grounds to people’s park—made it the perfect backdrop for a celebration of cultural diversity.

A Ship with a New Life

On my way back, I paused at the waterfront and found myself face to face with the striking silhouette of the af Chapman.

This full-rigged steel ship was originally launched in 1888 as the Dunboyne and later sailed under the name G.D. Kennedy until 1923. After years of service at sea, she was eventually retired and permanently moored on the western shore of Skeppsholmen Island.

Rather than being left to decay, the ship was repurposed in 1949 into something remarkable: today, she serves as one of Stockholm’s most iconic youth hostels, welcoming travellers from across the globe. It’s a beautiful example of how the city preserves its maritime heritage while keeping it alive for new generations of explorers.

An Eye for Architecture

Walking further through Stockholm, I passed some fabulous buildings that caught my eye. I promised myself to photograph them properly on the way back. The architecture here is nothing short of stunning—its survival owes much to Sweden’s neutrality during World War II, which spared Old Town the destruction that scarred so many other European cities. On my way home, it was getting dark, so I left the photos until tomorrow.

Football, Cards & Conversations

The afternoon was slower in pace. I settled into Wirstroms Pub, a favourite spot of mine in Gamla Stan, to watch the football and enjoy the local atmosphere. Later, I hurried back to the hostel for what was meant to be a card night. Sadly, the organiser, Alexandra, was either absent or not encouraging guests to join in, so the night fizzled out. Still, there were a few good conversations with fellow travellers, which made for a pleasant enough ending.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, I hope to do the Ferry Tour around six key sites—where you can hop on and hop off as you please—so I’ll be hoping for good weather and sunshine. Later this week, I’ll be heading on to Oslo and then into Denmark, where I plan to meet up with Lauris (a friend I met back in Poland), who has promised to show me around.

Andrew

(inspireseniorstravel.com)