We left Kalmar at 11:50 on the dot (they are very punctial here in Sweden. Everything leaves ans arrives on time), now isn't that a little unlike NZ? The day started out as overcast with a very cold wind blowing off the Baltic.Once inland it became very sunny. Changed trains at Alvesta (a regional train) onto the SJ high speed train. While it was sunny at Alvesta the temperature was cold (almost got our beannies and gloves out).
The land scape is as you expect from Scanadavia, flat with forests and lakes that gives way to flat arable land. Plenty of hay stacked and some of the fields ploughed.
Next stop Stockholm where we cahnge trains to Arlanda (where the airport is located), then a 2 hour flight north to Kiruna, which is about 200 km's inside the artic circle. The temperature there at the moment is -4 degrees, when we arrive (around 10:30 pm) the temperature will be around -10.
Karla (flying in from London) and Evan (busing in from Uppsala) will join us at the airport.
The SJ fast train offers free wifi, tea/coffee and fruit while you travel, which is great allowing us to check up on email, send txt messages and read the NZ news.
Hard to believe our time in Sweden is coming to an end. Just this weekend up at Kiruna before flying out to Bangkok on Monday morning. Karla is flying to Helsinki to visit her host parents (she did an YFU exchange year in Finland when she was at high school), and Evan returns to his studies at Uppsala University.
Travelling first class according to Evan is for beta males, but I must admit it great for us more elderly travellers (who like a little comfort every now and again).
What will I miss about Sweden? Well the cinnamon buns are great ( needless to say I have eaten a few). What I will not miss is the super orderly life style. Everything is done by numbers.You enter a shop and in order to be served you take a ticket and wait until your number comes up. Also, their drive to be a cashless society. You need credit or debit cards for everyhting. If you want to pay cash and buy a ticket it costs you a little bit extra.
I'm hoping to include a little video of this train ride, it is so smooth.
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