Blog Archives - The Swedish Traveler

Coming home!

7/28/2022

Hello Everybody! I´m now home! Technically I came home yesterday, very late!
Yesterday started very early, as I set the alarm at 06.05, as I didn't want to rush out the hotel. So I chilled for a bit, packed my stuff, and checked out. I had a taxi waiting for at 08.00. The ride took about 30min.

I had to wait a bit for check in, and after a while I could check in, and went through security. I had a look at the tax free, and bought something for my neighbor. I then had a look for a bit until my flight, which was a very short one. I landed in Vienna and had some lunch, as I was getting hungry, I went to a Jamie Oliver restaurant, and had some Pasta Bolognese and a Pizza, which were ok!

After Lunch, I walked around, since I had quite a lot of time to kill, until I found out where my flight would lift from. The flight from Vienna was late though, as the flight were waiting for some people, who had connected flights, which kinda worried me a little bit, as I didn't want to miss my flight, even though I had 1.5 hours in-between the flight to Umeå.

But it arrived in decent time, and I chilled for a bit until my last flight. The flight flew as planned and my dad and brother picked me up. I arrived at home after 22.00. We talked for a bit, until they had to leave. Afterwards I chilled for a bit and unpacked my stuff. Then I had a shower, and went to bed!

It is surreal coming home, as I have been away for 7 weeks. Traveling for 7 weeks, seeing a lot of places and meeting old and new people. It has been amazing! Now it's time to get back to reality!

Rainy last day in Budapest!

7/26/2022

Hello Everybody! This has been a rainy last day here in Budapest! I woke up early, I didn't want to, but it seems like my body is used to it by now! I chilled in bed, and when I decided to head out, it started raining like crazy and it even had thunderstorms! So I decided to stay in and wait it out!

After the rain settled I headed out! I took the subway to the Gellert Hotel and spa. I then walked up a huge hill to some viewing points and it had some sights that I wanted to see. So I walked around for a bit, which was quite rough! But worth it!
After a while I decided to head back, since my battery on my phone were running out.

A long walk in the sun!

7/25/2022

Hello Everybody! Today as been a chill day! I woke up quite early, after a late night, which was not intentional. But I chilled in bed for a while, and looking for where to go! After a long time, since I couldn't be bothered to get out of bed, I went out!

I started off walking back to Margaret Island, walking further in, seeing more of the island, which was nice! After a while looking around, I then headed to the parliament building, or rather behind the parliament building. Seeing a Columbo and Ronald Reagan statue on the way! After that I headed to St Stephens Basilica.

After that I walked to the river, and decided to head back, taking the longer way back! I did cross a bridge further down and waled along the river, the same route I did yesterday! On the way, I had some dinner, and I have chilled ever since! Tomorrow will be the last day in Budapest, and last day on this trip!

Another sunny day in Budapest!

7/24/2022

Hello Everybody! It has been another sunny day in Budapest! The day started with some chill, as I´m still recovering from dehydration, but it's getting better! But after a while I decided to head out! I first headed to the Fishermans Bastion! I chilled there for a bit!

After the Bastion, I saw some churches in the area so I headed over there and had a look! It also had a nice view over the city as well! From there I walked to the river that runs through the city and walked along it, with the plan to cross the nearest bridge. but the bridge was under construction, so I went to Buda Castle, and had a look! Which also had a nice overview over the city!

After I walked down and walked along the river a little bit, and then decided to head back to the hotel! It took a while, but I got back, and I bought some water on the way back, since I have drank a lot of water lately, and I chilled a bit, and after recharging my phone, I went out to have something to eat!
We will see what I will do tomorrow!

Lazy day yesterday!

7/24/2022

Hello everybody! Yesterday was a lazy day!
I didn´t do much at all, since I´m dehydrated. I went out for water and some other supplies, and I was sweating like crazy on the way back!
But later during the evening, it became cooler, and bit cloudier and more windy. So I decided to head out a little bit.

So I decided to to Margaret island, which was close by, it has a hug park, that you could walk around in. just a couple of minutes after arriving, the wind started to pick up, and as I walked back to the hotel, it started raining and it also had some thunderstorms. So I headed back to the hotel, and chilled ever since!
We will see if I will do anything today!

Arriving in Budapest, the last stop!

7/22/2022

Hello Everybody! I have arrived in Budapest now! The last stop of the trip, as I am heading home early!
The day started early, as I packed the rest of my stuff and took the subway to the central train station!
I bought the ticket, and met up with some friends, same friends that I hung out with at the concert yesterday!

It made me miss the train, but it was worth it, as I got to hang out with them some more! I then took the 11.45 train to Budapest. The train was late, as it should have arrived at 14.19, but it arrived at 15.00. Seeing it was about 37 degrees outside, I wasn't walking for over an hour to the hotel! So I took the subway to the closest station to the hotel.

I then walked to the hotel, needed to take a break, halfway through, because of the weight of the luggage, and because of the heat. Someone came up and asked if I needed some water, which was nice of them!
I then arrived at the hotel and checked in. It is a nice little hotel! I chilled for. bit, until I went out to grab something to eat! and after that I have chilled ever since. I´m thinking I am getting dehydrated though, having a little headache and stuff!

Meeting friends and Last day in Vienna!

7/21/2022

Hello! Sorry for not writing yesterday, since it was a long and interesting day!
Yesterday started early, and chilling in bed for a bit, until a friend messaged me to meet up, so I went to the central station, and we took the train to the airport, to meet some other friends, then we took the train back let them check in to the hotel.

We walked around town afterwards, and then headed to Prater, which os a huge amusement park, and went on some rides! Which was a lot of fun! We then had some dinner, and went back to the hotels afterwards! as it was getting quite late! It was also the first time I took the subway in Vienna!

Today, I woke up quite early as well, as I needed to go to the bathroom! After chilling some more, I went to St Stephens, to have a look around. I walked around the area, and then headed back, and took a shower, for the show tonight!
Its the third time I´m seeing Amy Macdonald! We waited outside the venue for quite a while, and they opened the doors at 6pm, and after a while the opening act, Malik Harris, came on. He was ok!

Then Amy Macdonald came on! She was amazing as always! The whole set went by so fast! After the show, we went to McDonalds and had something to eat, and then we split up and went to our hotels!
I packed a little bit and has chilled ever since!

Daytrip to Salzburg!

7/19/2022

Hello Everybody! I took a day trip to Salzburg yesterday!
Yesterday started very early, as I needed to go to the bathroom, and couldn't get back to sleep! So I chilled in bed for a while, until I decided to head to the central train station to go to Salzburg!

The walk to the station took longer than expected, but I got there around 8.30, and took the 8.45 train. Which took about 3 hours. From the station I walked to the Mirabell castle and park, which was awesome, I have seen it before, but during the winter time, so seeing it during the summer was nice!
From there I walked to the centre of the city!

I arrived at the Mozartplatz, and saw a lot of churches, which was interesting! After that I decided to walk up to Hohensalzburg, which is a huge Fortress in the middle of the city! It was a rough walk in the heat, but I got up there! It costs 12.50 euros to get into the fortress, I decided against, since I have already been inside it! So walked down again!

So after that I decided to head back to Vienna, as I was tired. I had some lunch before taking the long way back, and on the way to the station, Isaw a store that was for me, so I bought something for myself!
I got to the station, and bought a ticket back to Vienna, which was faster on the way back!
I walked to same route back to the hotel, and chilled ever since!

I like Salzburg, but I need more than a day to explore everything in the city! But I will eventually come back to Salzburg some day!

Full day in Vienna!

7/18/2022

Hello everybody! It has been a full day in Vienna!
The day started quite early! Chilling in bed for quite a bit, and then headed out! I walked the same way along the Belvedere walls to a huge fountain! I chilled for a bit, and then continued to Charles Church.

Then I walked to the Art Museum, and then the Hofburg. From there I walked to the Votiv Church and chilled for a bit. After that I decided to go the long way back to the hotel. Going past the Rathaus, Art museum and Hofburg to the Opera House.
Then going back to Charles Church and Belvedere, before going back to the hotel.

On the way back to the hotel, I bought some supplies, to have a t the hotel, and for tomorrow, as I plan to go to Salzburg. Which has been a while.

Arriving in Vienna, for the second time this year!

7/17/2022

Hello Everybody! I have arrived in Vienna, for the second time this year!
The day started early, as I needed to go to the bathroom, and couldn't get back to sleep. So I chilled in bed for a bit, and packed my stuff, as I ordered a taxi to the airport at 10am. I also had some snacks, and went to bathroom, more than expected, actually. I might even think there's starting to become a problem with my stomach!

The ride to the airport went smooth, and check in went fine, didn't need to pay for the second bag! I had to wait a bit before checkin in though, as the taxi ride went faster than expected.
After a while I went through security, and had some food. Which I got to keep! The flight went smooth, and I got some sleep!

I got my bags relatively quickly and took the CAT train to Vienna, and walked to the hotel, which is a new place that I haven't been to before. It's close to the area where a concert will be on Thursday. I will see Amy Macdonald again, for the third time, as the concert in March were cancelled, so they are doing it now!
The check in at the hotel was kinda slow, as the rooms wasn't ready apparently. But I did eventually check in, and went to my room and recharged my phone.

When it was charged, I took a walk to the outer rim of Belvedere Castle, and the Charles Church, and then walked back as it was getting dark. Then I have chilled ever since! We will see what I will to Tomorrow!

Last Day in Bucharest!

7/16/2022

Hello Everybody! It has been the last day in Bucharest!
It started quite early! I chilled in bed for quite a while, and then headed out to old town for a bit, chilling over there!

After that I headed back to the hotel, to chill for a bit and recharge my phone, and it was also good that went back, since after that, it started raining like crazy! It even had thunder! So it went from almost no clouds to storm in like 45min! It rained for a while and like an hour later, it was all clear skies again!

What do I think of Bucharest?
The city itself is quite nice! But you need to be wary about taking the taxi, so they don't rip you off! The hotel itself, Hotel Michelangelo, is ok, it was cheap for the time that I have spent here. It's not extravagant, but it's functional!
But I felt I spent too much time here in Bucharest, as 9 days in total is too much!

Another sunny day in Bucharest!

7/15/2022

Hello Everybody, It has been another sunny day in Bucharest!
The day started with a chill morning in bed, and eventually I looked at where to go.

I decided to go to a park relatively close to the hotel, and it was very hot outside! I arrived at the park and chilled for a bit, then I walked to a church close by and to another park, and chilled some more! Then I saw a third park, with a lake, so I went there, and chilled even more!

Then I went back to the hotel, and chilled a bit. After a while I decided to go out and have some food, and I found a burger place,. After that I went back an has chilled ever since!
Kinda uneventful day. But is was hot as hell, over 32 degrees outside! We will see what I will do tomorrow, on the last day in Bucharest!

Sunny Day in Bucharest

7/14/2022

Hello Everybody! I´m posting this the next day!
It has been a sunny day here in Bucharest! The day started early, and I chilled in bed for quite a bit, resting from yesterday! I then looked into where I wanted to go. I decided to head to the Botanical Garden, which was quite the walk!

So I started to walk, on the way, I walked past the military museum. On the way, I saw it was 32 degrees and not a cloud in the sky!
I arrived at the botanical garden, and realized that it was 10 lei entrance fee. As I walked all the way to get there, I payed it and had a look, it was ok, but I had seen better gardens!

I noticed that there's a huge lake west of the Botanical Garden, so I decided to head over there, which was quite the walk. But I couldn't reach it! So I decided to head back to the hotel, via the Train station. I saw a store, so I decided to buy some supplies on the way to the hotel! I got back and chilled for a bit, recharging my phone!

Day trip to Peles Castle in Sinaia!

7/13/2022

Hello Everybody, I have gone on a day trip to Sinaia and Peles Castle, the second day trip in this country and the second item on my bucket list, from this country anyway!
The day started very early, at around 5.30am again, as I don't want to stress to the train! I had some breakfast, and chilled for a bit and then headed to the train.

I took the 8.0am train, which was the same train I took on Monday, and it was only a 1.5hour train ride this time, stopping in Sinaia! The walk to Peles wasn't that bad, I had a look around the city on the way to the castle. I arrived at the castle at about 10.30am, and apparently the more you wanted to explore of the castle, the more you had to pay. I wanted to explore the whole castle, so. payed the full price, 150 Lei, and walked inside!

I walked around, trying to see as much as possible. The Peles Castle itself is bigger than Bran Castle, but of course costs more. It was very interesting to see Peles Castle. Totally worth the trip!
After seeing the castle, I decided to go back to Sinaia and explore a little bit. So I walked to the centre of town and had a look around. Which was interesting, but it's a small town!

After a while, I decided to head back to Bucharest, as I was getting tired, and my phone battery was running out. So I walked to the train station and bought a ticket. I took the 13.34 train home, and it only took 1.5 hours to get to Bucharest. I walked back to the hotel and has chilled ever since!
It's worth going there, just for Peles alone, but Sinaia itself is very nice and I also recommend going there as well!

A sunny day in Bucharest!

7/12/2022

Hello! It has been a sunny day here in Bucharest!
The day started with sleeping in a bit, chilling and resting from yesterday. After a while I looked into where I should go for the day!

I decided to go further south, past the old town! I started off going to the Cismigiu Gardens, close to the Museum of arts, having a walk. It had a dried up lake. From there I walked to the parliament, which was huge! There was also a nice church in the area, so I walked to that and had a look.

From there I walked to a very long street with a lot of fountains which at the end of it was a roundabout which almost looked like it was made of fountains! I then walked along the nearby river and crossed it. I then decided to head back! I walked back to the fountain/roundabout, and walked up north!

After I got back to the hotel, I charged my phone and chilled for a bit. After a while I went out and had something to eat, and grabbed some supplies for tomorrow, since I will be going to Sinaia, and Peles Castle. My second day trip in this country and is also on my bucket list!

It has also been 5 weeks since I started this trip! Time flies by so fast when you are having a great time! It is the 6th country so far and it will be 6 countries more in the upcoming 5 weeks! SO it's going to be interesting! There will be another Concert, next week actually. Another Amy Macdonald Concert, the third one this year! Which is also going to be nice!