So as it was Easter break and my host
mum’s family live in the south of Sweden in the town she group up in they
thought it would be nice to see them and for me to see a bit more of Sweden! So
we packed up the car on Friday and started off the road trip down to the south.
We were headed for my host mum’s town, Tvååker, on the west coast of Sweden! On
the way there we stopped at a cute wee summer town called Gränna. Gränna is the
home of a lolly called Polkagris which is a type of rock lolly. Well in actual fact
it is candy cane just without the cane bit. So it’s a straight candy cane that
is thicker! We went for a wonder around the town and had to buy some Polkagris
to make it a real visit to Gränna! We had lunch and got on our way again. As we
drove further south the landscape changed rather dramatically. Around Stockholm
the landscape is Christmas trees left, right and centre but as we drove down
the country the Christmas trees got fewer and the rolling hills started. The south
of Sweden is known for its farming as it has less trees, less snow and good
soil! We came to Tvååker where we went to my host mum’s mother’s house where we
were staying. That night we had a dinner with the family. New place, plus new
people, plus Swedish is a lot to take in and it doesn’t help that they speak in
a different dialect of Swedish! I was so tried and had a wonderful headache
that when I fell into bed I was out!
The next day we went into the nearby
town, which is a lot bigger than Tvååker which is only small, to look around
and see the sights! This town is called Varberg and is right by the sea! It is
a wonderful town that was on that day full of people as there was an Easter
market on. We looked around and went to see the fortress by the sea. From the
fortress there was a wonderful view right out over the ocean! What made it even
better was that the sun was sitting happily up in the sky! That night we went
out for Easter dinner at a friend’s house. Easter in Sweden is celebrated a lot
more than it is in New Zealand for example Easter dinner. Easter dinner is very
much like Sweden’s Christmas dinner but just with more egg involved! Another thing
that Sweden does for Easter is put pink, yellow and orange feathers on dead
trees. I don’t know why they do it and nor do many know why either! Also Easter
eggs are not made out of chocolate but out of cardboard with lollies inside!
Pig Day! My host mum’s brother owns a
pig farm and wanted me to see these pigs, so we all dressed up like we came
from the late 80’s/early 90’s (old clothes cause pigs smell) and set out to the
pigs!! At this pig farm there are over 2000 pigs. They weigh 35kgs when they
come to the farm and 110kgs when they leave to go get made into bacon! (I know
this only because I was tested on it the whole time I was there!!)
right on the sea. From above it looks quite small but then again most things do
look small from a height. We walked around and went to a food market and then a
fish market. Whole fish with their eyes still in look so scary and like they
are watching you! In Göteborg they have the coolest trams! They are white and light
blue and go around the whole city
After seeing
the pigs, we all went back and had a showers to get the piggy smell away and
then went out to see a really beautiful harbour town called Träslövsläge. This place
is again a summer place that has many of boats and summer houses and also many
things that are ‘famous’ for that area! We would go by something and everything
that was pointed out was famous!
The next day we headed to Copenhagen! We
DROVE there!! To another country. WE DROVE!!! But I am going to write another
blog just for Copenhagen as I think it deserves its own one!
When we came home from Copenhagen we had
one more night at Mormor’s (grandmother in Swedish) house and then we were
heading back up to Stockholm. Staying at Mormor’s house made me miss my own Gan
(grandmother in Rea family) and hugs from her and sitting and talking to her
and staying at her house and also her cooking!
We packed up the car for the last time
and got on the road! We went up the coast to Göteborg (Gothenburg in English). My
host parents wanted to show me Göteborg so we went exploring for three hours
before going home! Göteborg is the biggest city in Sweden after Stockholm and
has a very different feel to it than Stockholm does. It is more open than
Stockholm and has a more relaxed feel to it, although not as relaxed as
Copenhagen! In Göteborg we went to the top of one of the highest buildings to
take a look at the whole city. The city has a harbour in its centre and is
right on the sea. From above it looks quite small but then again most things do
look small from a height. We walked around and went to a food market and then a
fish market. Whole fish with their eyes still in look so scary and like they
are watching you! In Göteborg they have the coolest trams! They are white and light
blue and go around the whole city
After Göteborg we drove home. Having seen
all of the trees once coming down, Karin and I thought we could watch a movie on
the way back so we watched Beauty and the Beast. I have no idea how I watched
that as a kid and not be scared!
Here is a map of the south of Sweden with
most of the places I have mentioned here in case you have no idea where I am
talking about!
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