Blog Archives - The Swedish Traveler

Arriving in Amsterdam!

6/30/2022

Hello Everybody! I have arrived in Amsterdam!
The day started quite early, as I tend to do nowadays! I chilled and packed, chilled and packed. I book a taxi for 11.30. But the taxi company called and changed it to 11.00. So I hurried a little bit, and checked out! I then took the taxi to the airport!

I checked in my bags, and I had to pay for the second one! I went through security, which took about half an hour! I then had a look around the airport and chilled a bit until the flight to Amsterdam. The flight landed on time, but it took forever to get the bags. Once I got them, I took the train to Amsterdam Central!

I found the hostel quickly, as I have stayed there before. I recharged my phone, and then headed out, looking around. I saw the old church and the Dam Square. it also started raining. So I headed back, buying some water on the way.
I have then chilled ever since! We will se what I will do tomorrow!

Last day in Prague!

6/29/2022

yHello Everybody! it has been the last day here in Prague!
The day started early, because I needed to pee, and I had somewhere to go write early, as I had a shooting tripp booked at 9.30am. A car picked me up around at that time and drove to another pat of town. Which was strange, because I expected to drive outside of town, as I did on earlier trips. But the have apparently an indoor range now!

So we went inside, and and instructor came, brought the weapons I would shoot, which were quite a few. After the run-through, we started to shoot. We started off with pistols, A Glock 17 and a 357 Magnum. Then came the submachine guns, Scorpion EVO, UZI and 9mm M16. then came the AK47, which the recoil was gnarly. Then was the sniper rifle, a SVD, and the recoil was gnarly on that one too.
Lastly was the shotgun, which was a lot of fun!

Then I had the option to shoot other weapons, and I decided to shoot a Glock 46, an PPK, a small Scorpion, an AKs74u, Kriss Vector and a Steyr AUG. the 74u and AUG was a lot of fun!
After that I got back to the hostel, and chilled for a bit, until going for a walk near the museum, and going to a train station. then I headed back, recharged my phone, and then headed out for dinner!

What do I think of Prague?
I do like it here, it's the 5th time here, which should say something! The architecture is amazing! The hostel, Charles Bridge Economic Hostel, is great and all, but it feels like they have a lot of new staff, that might not talk to each other, as they don't really keep track on who sleeps in what bed in the dorm and stuff! But it's cheap and really, REALLY close the Charles Bridge!
The weather has been weird too, early it was really nice weather, and the last few days, it has been raining like crazy!

A chill day!

6/28/2022

Hello Everybody! This has been a chill day! It did actually rain yesterday evening and it did even have a thunderstorm!
The day started early, and I chilled for a bit, while looking for where to go. I decided to go north, past the Metronome, while not going to the metronome.

I then walked to the old town again, trying to find the synagogue, but didn't find it, so I decided to head back, having lunch.
I got back to the hotel and chilled a bit, and decided to head out again, going south, walking along the river. and then I walked back! Then I have chilled ever since!

Tomorrow is the last day in Prague, and I will do a shooting trip, a trip that I have done before, and it will be the third time doing it! It's going to be nice!

Second full day in Prague!

6/27/2022

Hello everybody! This has been the second day in Prague!'They day started early, and chilled for a bit, and took a morning nap. Then I decided to head out. I crossed the Charles Bridge, and went to the Metronome! It was quite high up, and it took a while, but the view from the is amazing!

I took a walk through a park near the Metronome, and headed back to the old town! I walked past the Powder House, and then decided to head back, and recharge my phone! I chilled longer than expected, so I went around 5pm and had some dinner! I also went for some dessert, having a trdelnik, which is a classic Czech dessert!

We will see what I will do tomorrow!

First full day in Prague!

6/26/2022

Hello! It has been the first full day in Prague! The day started early, after a bad night since it's very hot in the room, and was half asleep. But I went at 7am, and chilled for a bit, looking into where to go. I decided to go to the Petrin Tower. Which was a rough walk, as it was hot outside!

I took half an hour to get to the tower, and I decided to head up there. it cost 150 Korunas, and I walked up the tower. Which was rough, but the view was worth it!
I walk down, and went to Strahov monastery. From there I walked to the Prague Castle, where they had a changing of the guards of sorts.

After that I had a look at the castle, and walked back to the hostel, and recharged my phone. After a bit I decided to head to Vysehrad, which is a church with a cemetery. it was a long walk, and it was still hot outside. I saw the Dancing house on the way!
I then arrived at Vysehrad and hanged around there a bit. Then I headed back the same way, but decided to go and have something to eat, at the same place, I was yesterday. I then walked back to the hostel, and has chilled ever since!

I was planning on going to Cesky Krumlov tomorrow, but the 5 hour train ride is too much for me, so we will se what I will do tomorrow!

Arriving in Prague!

6/25/2022

Hello Everybody! I have arrived in Prague!
The day started very early, at 5.30, as I set the alarm around that time! I chilled for a bit, and packed my stuff, and checked out at 6.15. I walked to the Brussels Midi station, and took the train to the airport! I checked in my bags, and for some reason I had to check in my folding chair. I expected to pay for at least one bag, since I only payed for 1 bag and had two bags to check in. But I didn't need to pay anything!

I went through security surprisingly quickly, and chilled for a bit until my flight at 09.50, to Vienna. The flight landed a bit late, as it lifted late, but I had a few hours to spare. I had some lunch at a Jamie Oliver restaurant, which was ok!
I chilled for some more, and then went on the flight to Prague! It went relatively quickly, and I got my bags quickly.

I took a taxi to the hostel, a hostel that I have been to before, which is just close to the Charles Bridge!, After checking in and charging my phone, I went out, crossing Charles Bridge and walked to the Astronomical tower, and old town square. I then walked to the Narodni Museum. After that I headed back and had some food! Then I walked to the John Lennon Wall, and then bought some supplies! Then I walked back to the hostel!
I´m going to chill the rest of the night!

Spending time in Brussels!

6/24/2022

Hello Everybody! I´m now in Brussels, and will be leaving for Prague tomorrow!
The day started early, as I was half asleep most of the night. I chilled for a bit, packed my stuff and checked out the apartment!
I then took a walk towards the train station, which was like a 30min walk, with all of the luggage that I have!

Bought a ticket that were going to Brussels airport and then to Brussels Midi station. It took an hour to get to the Midi station! From there I walked to the hotel, the same one that I stayed at last week, and it was also the same room as last time! I chilled for a bit, recharging my phone, and then started heading out!

I headed to Mannekin Piss, again, and had a Belgian waffle! Which was awesome! Then I headed to the grand Place, which was nearby. From there, I walked to Brussels park and onwards to Marie Louise square. There was another park I wanted to go to, but it was closed off! So I started to head back to the Grand Palace for some dinner, and when I arrived, it started to rain!

Last day in Antwerp!

6/23/2022

Hello Everybody! This has been the last day in Antwerp!
The day started quite early, as I needed to go to the bathroom, and after that I chilled in bed for a bit before deciding where to go!
I started to walk towards Fort 2, which is an old fort from what I guess from the Second World War!

I walked past the central train station and and continued on, as it was a long walk to the fort. Along the saw a lot of awesome stuff!
But when I got to the fort it wasn't a lot to see, so I decided to head back, with a detour to some parks. Early during the walk, I bought some chocolate, that totally melted, so I had to rough them away!

On the way back, I went to grab some food, and then headed back to the hotel. After that I have chilled ever since!
What do I think of Antwerp?
It is an interesting city, with a lot of churches! I will probably be back someday! Having an apartment for myself, for a decent price.

Sunny day in Antwerp!

6/22/2022

Hello Everybody!
It is a sunny day here in Antwerp! I had a hard time sleeping, so I took a walk, and got to bed quite late, and the day started a bit early, around 8am. and I chilled in bed for a bit and looked on where to go!
After a while I headed out, started walking towards the botanical garden!

Then I headed down to the Harmony Park. from there, I decided to head back the long way! I waledk around and saw some cool places, and walked to another part of the river, and walked along it to a Ferris wheel I saw on my first day here. After the Ferris wheel, I headed back to the apartment!

I chilled for a bit, and then headed out for dinner, and walked around a little bit more, before going back to the apartment! Then I have chilled ever since!
We will see what I will tonight, if I will chill some more, or if I´m going for a walk!

First Full day in Antwerp!

6/21/2022

Hey Everybody! Today has been the first full day in Antwerp!
The day started quite early, and I chilled in bed until I decided where to go! I went north to the harbor. Then I walked east to a park, which had a fountain!

From there I walked to the Zoo, but it was closed off! Then I headed to another park and had a delicious Belgian treat from a bakery, it was awesome!
Then I decided to head back, which was quite the walk! I got back to the apartment, and recharged my phone and chilling for a bit, taking a nap.
Then I headed out to have som dinner! We will see what happens tonight, if I will do anything or if I would just chill all night again!

Last day of Graspop and arriving in Antwerp!

6/20/2022

Hello everybody! I have arrived in Antwerp now!
But lets talk about the last day of grasp first! That day started as same as always, early, eating breakfast and taking a nap. Now I knew that that the train were going at 13.43, so I took that train. I took me an hour to get from Herentals by train to the festival area!

Then I camped by one of the main stages, thinking it would be Skillet, but it was the band before, Evil Invader, which was ok. So After than concert, I moved over to the next stage and Saw Skillet. After Skillet I moved over to the other stage again, and saw Alestorm, which was a huge surprise! I might have seen them before, but didn't remember much from them!

After Alestorm, I moved over again and saw Alice Cooper, which was also nice! During that concert though I had some dinner! After that Concert I headed over for the last time and saw The Offspring, my favorite band growing up! They played their classics but I decided to leave at the end, so I could catch the train home!

When I got back I chilled for a bit and went to bed. Which leads to today!
I woke up relatively early, with a decent night, and chilled for a bit until breakfast, in which we had to switch hotel for, for some reason, I could guess it's staffing issues. After breakfast, I packed the rest of my stuff and chilled some more, until check out time at 11. I walked with all my gear to the train station, and managed to take the 11.21 train to Antwerp.

I arrived just before 12 and walked a couple of miles, with my gear to the hotel, and I was too early for check in. So I chilled there for a bit, until they checked me in early. So I got the keys and walked to the location where the apartment was (yes, got an apartment for myself!). I left my stuff and walked out, checking out the area. I saw some Cathedrals in the center, and then I walked to the river, and followed it for a bit.

Then I walked inwards and started to head back. I got in and took a little nap. After the nap I headed ut for dinner, and am going to chill after that!
What did I think of Graspop?
Well I did enjoy it! It did have a lot more headliners than Download, and since it was the 25th celebration, it was one day more, which was nice! Sadly, because of logistical reasons I missed the headliners. I did get the impression that Graspop is more organized compared to Download as well, even though Download is bigger.
We will see if I will do either of them or both of them again, as it was rough to do 2 festivals in a row!

Day 3 of Graspop Metal Meeting!

6/19/2022

Hello Everybody! It has been the third day of Graspop Metal Meeting!
The Day started early as always, as I have had trouble sleeping, since It's hot in the room, and then I got some breakfast. Then I chilled some more and took a nap.

Then I walked to the train station, I thought there was a train at 13.08, but it wasn't, so I had to wait until 13.43 for the train, in which I took, and then I took the bus to the festival!
I got in the area, and had a look around, and Parked by the main stage for Europe. After that show I took a bathroom break and had some food, and then watched Foreigner.

Then I chilled for a bit and waited for Shinedown. Which were awesome as always. then I decided to head back, to catch the train back to the hotel. When I got back I chilled ever since.
Now it's the last day of Graspop, and it has rained earlier this morning, so we will see how it will affect the festival!

Day 2 of Graspop Metal Meeting!

6/18/2022

Hello!
This has been day 2 of Graspop Metal Meeting! the day started badly, with bad sleep again, it's hot in the room. But I chilled a bit until breakfast and took another nap again!
Then I headed out, and took the 1pm train to Dessel, and the bus to the festival.

I looked around for a bit, filled up my water bottle and then went to Steel Panther, which was ok, they had a lot of jokes! then I switched to Black label Society, seeing them for the second time. Then I switched to Bullet for my valentine, having dinner at the same time.

Then I went a bought some merchandise for my neighbor, and then I saw A Day to Remember.
After that I saw a little of Megadeth, before deciding to go back to the hotel.
Then I have chilled until today!

Day 1 of Graspop Metal Meeting!

6/17/2022

Hello Everybody!
It has been the first day of Graspop Metal Meeting! The Day started with some bad sleep, as I had to go to the bathroom quite often! After a while I chilled in bed until breakfast, and took another nap, then I took the train to Mol, and from there a bus to Graspop!

I got in line for getting the armband so I could get in. and then I got in. The First impression is that it looks a lot smaller than Download festival, and then I heard that it only takes in like half of what Download could hold, so it makes more sense.
I had a look around just to get my bearings, and saw that the two main stages are connected to each other, when one band is playing, the next stage sets up for the other, so the are playin g inbetween each other, which is nice!

I then walked to one of tents and saw Flotsam and Jetsam, then went to another stage and saw Creeper, which I managed to get front row.
From there, I went to the main stage and saw Tremonti. After a bathroom break, I saw Mastodon. After that I had some food and saw Powerwolf. After that I saw Dropkick Murphys. Then I decided to head back, So I could take the train to Herentals, but I missed it with a couple of minutes, So I had to wait for the last one.

During the wait, some people were asking how to get to Brussels., so I tried to help them, and it turns out they just need to take the same train as I did.
I got home and settled for a bit, and went to sleep,
Lets see what happens today!

Arriving in Herental Belgium!

6/15/2022

Hello Everybody! I have now arrived in Herental Belgium! The next town over from the Graspop metal meeting festival area!
The day started early, after a bad sleep, and chilled until like 9am. Then I packed my stuff and went to the Midi Train station, in the heat, with a lot of luggage!

I bought the ticket to Herental, and had some trouble finding the right track for the train, but I saw some fellow festival goers, that were going on the same train, and found the right train.
I arrived smoothly in Herental and walked to the Hotel. The room was of course not ready, but they switched rooms, so I got a huge bed for myself!

After recharging my phone for a bit, I went out and bought some water and walked around town. I found a castle that looked interesting, and from there I walked to a watchtower, that you could walk all the waY up to. Which I did, for a euro. After that I went back to the hotel, and after chilling some more, I went and bought some more supplies!

After I have chilled some more, and went out to eat something, but couldn't find anything interesting! So I went back inside, and has chilled ever since!
Tomorrow is the first day of Graspop Metal Meeting. There's some bands that I want to see, like Dropkick Murphys, Volbeat and Iron Maiden, it's a big shame that Volbeat plays very late! But it will be an interesting night!