Malmö Sweden

Storyline: Scandinavia

Mon, Jun 30

After 18 days since we crossed from Sweden to Norway way up above the arctic circle it is time to say goodbye to Oslo and Norway with our last stop in Malmö Sweden. Not enough time spent in either of the two countries with stunning landscapes, fjords, lakes, mountains, art and history. But the month is only 30 days and our budget lasts even less.

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Løkka apartment and roll our luggage downhill to the train station. We will take two trains. Other than the train from Malmö to Copenhagen Airport, our last trains for this journey.

Oslo to Göteborg Sweden (Gothenburg in English, go figure!) and a second train to Malmö. With over two hours stop over. Comfortable seats in the first train and nice Southern Norway and then Sweden scenery. This will be a long day.

Getting off at Göteborg Central we find a café to sit. Alex is hungry so we order food and coffee (we’ll be arriving close to midnight at Malmö Central).

We then board the second train and find that we are almost the only passengers in the first class. The attendant is very nice. I have forgotten that I preordered dinner because I knew we’d depart Göteborg at 17:49 and arrive at 23:07. When the train stopped, she came to tell us that we are waiting for another train, but not to worry it is in their schedule. This is the longest train travel from Göteborg to Malmö, however the only direct one.

When she first appeared, we asked if she wanted to see our tickets. No, she said, you are the only ones here. But you preordered dinner, I just want to ask you when do you want it? “I don’t think we have dinner”. Yes, she says you preordered it. I have completely forgotten.

We tell her we already had dinner at a café in Göteborg, but since it was ours she eventually brought it.

At a certain point of time the train stopped and backed up for about 20min. We ask the lady why. They sent us on a wrong track she said.

We arrive close to midnight. For that reason and following my general rule to order hotel with breakfast included for the short stays I had booked Best Western Plus Park City Malmo. Earlier in this series I mentioned that I have a membership and it helps with finding a reasonable price.

I had called the reception, but they told me not to worry. It is a hotel and they’ll be happy to have us whenever we arrive. The hotel is close to the water, but a bit far from the city centre and the train station. Not a problem most of the time, but Alex is not feeling well. The half an hour walk becomes closer to an hour. We arrived just before midnight and crashed in bed.

Waking next morning I see lovely views from the window. We are on a high floor and we can see the famous bridge-tunnel that connect Sweden with Denmark. Alex is no condition for a breakfast. I go alone and then head out exploring the surroundings.

Tracing back our steps to the train station and then crossing the canal to the city center. Although we are somewhat in a different direction it is about 30 min walking to the centre.

Going back to the hotel to check on Alex.

He is still asleep. This time I decide to explore the area around the hotel and the water.

My goal is to find the so-called Turning Tower. Beautiful sunny day. Very warm.

People sunbathing on the rocks and water boardwalks.

Somewhere by the water I find a bar called Sea Side. It is next to a very busy ice cream place Bar Italia.

I find a table, and order Aperol spritz. People have some pizzas that are small enough for one person. It is close to dinner time and I haven’t had lunch.

So I order one. With a second drink – a glass of cava. Back at the hotel Alex is awake and hungry.

I tell him about the pizza and drag him out to the beach and the bar.

Finally, he has something to eat and we call it a day.

Wed, Jul 2

Alex is well enough to join me for breakfast. Then I drag him out to show him the city.

Yesterday I browsed through the stores and found one with lovely dresses. I wanted to buy some. I know it will be hard for him to stay too long in the shopping area, but it is a very close to the train station.