Nowadays -

East Coast Views, Island-Lands and Beer Ducks

We decided to take our time driving home and enjoy views and waterholes of the east coast. From Stockholm to Kristianstad it is about 550 kilometres or 140 miles and most of the roads follow the coastline.

Sweden contains two big islands of the south east coast, Öland and Gotland. Both islands are summer paradises and popular vacation destinations. About two thirds of the way home we hit Kalmar, the town that connects Öland to the mainland through a bridge. The name Öland can be understood and translated in two ways. Ö in Swedish means island, land means land. Island-land is therefore a possible translation, although not so exciting. Another option is a connection of the two words Öl, which means beer, and and which means duck. The truth is still out there...

88514-79

Borgholm Castle, Öland. The oldest parts of the castle dates back to the 12th century although it was added to during the centuries to come. The castle was strategically placed at a hilltop to defend Öland against seafaring enemies, mainly the Danes, and at one point the Hanseatic had 2000 men here.

88514-78

The castle as it's believed to have looked like during its glorious days .

88514-72

After the peace treaty between Sweden and Denmark in 1631 Borgholm Castle had played out its role and was abandoned. Almost a hundred years later a big fire destroyed much of what was left. Today only the skeleton of the ancient majesty stands.

Visiting Kalmar
Kalmar is one of Swedens oldest towns and bears many marks of historys' changes. During the medieval period and in the wars with Denmark Kalmar was one of the country's key ports. Kalmar lost some of its importance in 1658 when Skåne, Sweden's southernmost state, was handed over to Sweden from Denmark.

88514-75

A tower we don't know anything about except that it's beautiful.

88514-74

Waiting to order dinner. A beautiful day, a beautiful place but terrible service. We waited forever to order and then forever to pay. I don't have to tell you the waiter didn't get tipped... But at least the food was great!

2006-08-11 @ 17:53:53 Travel Permalink

Kommentarer

Postat av: Jenny

gillar skarpt att läsa om vad ni hittar på.

väntar ivrigt på en berättelse om den spännande ålen :D

kram

2006-08-11 @ 18:34:03

Trackback