July 17, Saturday

Ahoy! This was our first day without schoolwork for Katey, and we made the most of it! Greg and I started with a nice little fika (coffee and treat break...normally you fika in the afternoon, not for breakfast) at Sturekatten, a little dollhouse-like cafe. Besides the food, Greg particularly enjoyed the 19th century feel of things which many of the downtown Stockholm eating establishments share. 

Our first activity of the day was a trip to the Fotografiska (aka.photography museum). There were three great exhibits, the main attraction being Annie Leibovitz's "A Photographer's Life 1990-2005"(Grace, that was for you). http://en.fotografiska.eu/The-Museum/Exhibitions/A-Photographer-s-Life-1990-2005  There were two other exhibits we really enjoyed, one of which was the most famous Swedish photographer Anders Petersen.

We decided to make it a two museum day by heading to what many (Grandma Nore, Grandma Bliss, Rick Steves, Immants Homequist, and more) told us was a must see, the VASA MUSEUM. For those who don't know the Vasa Museum commemorates one of Sweden's greatest prides and greatest shames. The museum holds a ship from the 17th century that sunk to the bottom of Stockholm harbor 20 minutes into its' maiden voyage. In 1961, the ship was lifted to the surface and preserved for the world to see. It is very impressive and quite a site to see in person (around 95% in tact).