We went to Sweden! OK that sounds so impressive and everything, but the funny (and cool) thing about Europe is that you can get to another country just by hopping onto a train for a bit! So you feel all “well travelled” and all…. but all you’ve done is just take a train somewhere else 😉 But anyway, it was a very spur-of-the-moment decision for us, because an online friend lived in Sweden and suggested that we head over for a visit to hang out! Our kids are closely aged so I thought… why not 🙂 And so, it was on the train we went, from Copenhagen to Sweden!
An hour later… we were in Sweden! WHEEEEE!!!! We went to the little town of Lund, which was all quiet countrytown like. Such a far cry to the city of Singapore, and a refreshing change. That said, I couldn’t live there for more than a couple of weeks I’m sure. I’m a big city girl at heart 🙂 What I found super odd and super cool about Lund is that… you can walk everywhere. We walked from the main train station, through a park, to a playground, to a bakery, down the city centre, to my friend’s apartment, and back to the train station. Everything was a few mins walk from each other! Along the way to the playground, we saw some chickens and roosters randomly pecking around. I think Hunter was pretty amazed 😉
The park was super lovely! The weather was Grade A perfect and they had such fun play areas there. Carter spent most of the time crawling around on the picnic mat, whilst Hunter was stuck in the wooden train the entire time. He decided that ENTIRE wooden train feature was his and staked claim over the wheel. So when his little friend tried to have a go, Hunter had a top-notch hysterical breakdown.. one of the most epic ever because it went on for agessssss. Man, he was a real handful! It was like his mind had gone and was replaced by some sort of psycho monster. In the end, Chris decided he must be tired/jet-lagged and popped him in his stroller. A few minutes later, BAM! Fast asleep. Guess Daddy knows best. And Hunter slept soundly and deeply for about 2 hours (all through lunch) and then woke up waaaay cheerier and more normal. Whew. Unfortunately, it also meant he missed a good chunk of the day, particularly the really fun kiddy-friendly parts! 🙁
We walked down the street to lunch, which was a few minutes away. It was nice to enjoy the scenery around, and breathe in SUPER fresh air!
Lunch was goooooood. I have no frame of reference here, but I really liked it! We sat outdoors and chilled out with Ligonberry juice (yes, Ikea has this by the bucket) and our lovely dishes. Mine was this prawns on bread dish, which has a really nice name and description but I’ve forgotten :X It came with this HUGE TUMBLE of prawns that totally astonished me!! It was waaaay more prawns than bread, and was super good and fresh.
We chilled out at their place for a bit so the kids could stretch their legs and play. Hunter fell in love with the toy train set and the vintage ride-em car thing. Surprise, surprise. And Carter just took great pleasure in picking up and dropping the wooden blocks. Repeatedly.
Looking forward to seeing you in Singapore next year, Sarah!! Hunter still talks about “‘taking choo choo train to Enoch’s house” 🙂
hello sarah! hello bev! the ice cream shop and cathedral are still where they are!!!!! I miss lund 🙁
Did Sarah take you to that ice cream shop too?I thought we were special!!!!!! 😉
haha everyone who’s lived in lund for a bit knws that ice cream shop! amazing how little has changed.
Haha I met Benita when she was in Lund for exchange. That ice cream shop is famous among ‘Lundians’ 🙂
U ain’t gonna believe it but i did live and study i Lund University for a year when I was 20 : ) picked up enuff Swedish to read IKEA homeware tags and groceries labels haha There used to be a super gorgeous shallow clear beach about 30 mins bike ride away!
It sure looks like you’ve picked up svenska! You typed “i” for “in” :p
Phwoarrrrr what a small world! I never even knew you’ve been to Sweden let alone lived there!
wow! Chris read the Chinese book? Impressive 😉 btw Sarah’s husband is SO tall!
Haha Ruth, my hubby is 188cm and I’m a mere 153cm. We get stared at on the streets sometimes, but especially when we are back in Singapore for a visit. 😛
wow, 188cm!!im the same height as you so i can imagine. though when it comes to taller people, it all feels about the same once they are more than 175cm. well unless they are like 200cm 😛
in sg it’s def more probable that people stare 😛 when are you heading back to sg?
We will hopefully be back for a visit over CNY 2014 🙂
Cool! If I spot you on the streets when you’re back, I’ll be sure to say hi or hej! 🙂
Really? Chris and I barely get a second look here in SG, or even in Australia for that matter!
Yea.. We visited Giant at Tampines and stuck out like a sore thumb, especially Emil 😛
Awww what a lovely post that captures the day perfectly! Your lunch dish was called “Räkmacka på levainbröd med ägg & dillmajonnäs” by the way, which translates into “Shrimp sandwich on ‘levain bread’ with egg and dill mayo”.
Yes, looking forward to hanging out in Singapore early next year! Give a big squeeze to Hunter and Carter from us 🙂
Man you really are good with your Swedish! It was so good.. I wonder if the Ikea version here rates as well??
To be honest, I haven’t tried the food at Ikea sg… Too busy satisfying my cravings for local dishes! I have heard of a Swedish restaurant in Singapore called Fika, I also haven’t eaten there before but could be worth checking out 🙂
Some of the dishes at fika are not bad! But their meatballs are so so only I feel. And prices are a lil on the high side :/