Stockholm | Cruise

SWEDEN | COPENHAGEN | Cruise



After the sojourn at Copenhagen, we headed off to the next Scandinavian behemoth….SWEDEN!!! Early morning, we wake up from the luxury laps of the expensive beds we paid for…our first and last luxury booking on a Eurail. After exchanging the Krones with another set of the same….Danish with the Swedish ones…we headed off in search of a hostel in accordance with our exciting night plans at Stockholm. The original Ice Bar, the sunshine on the streets and the glittering water all made it a joy to tour the city on foot. Stockholm, like most of Sweden is a set of islands, all connected, appealing and resplendent in its entirety.

After reluctantly not taking accommodation at a ship youth hostel, we settled in for a cheaper one. We also completed the most integral part of the morning and quite efficiently at that – collecting the passes for the DJ TIESTO show, which was scheduled after a few days. Even though we had pre empted all sorts of things going wrong with that one, to our delight….it all worked out just fine. The rest of the day, which honestly seemed quite a drag as we just couldn’t wait for the high-time, going aboard the cruise, comprised of the following:

1. Visit to the Coin and Currency museum [which had free entry on that particular day of the week]. Also the presence of the World’s Largest Coin, was appealing enough.

2. The discovery of a café run by a Pakistani dude, who apart from serving us a customized pasta delicacy [the best dish on the entire trip], also provided us with an hour long discussion in sub continental mother tongue’s. He also proved to be our savior the very next day, be responding to our fussy dietary needs [read: Jajoo]

3. A million more pictures, till our trustworthy batteries ran out on us, yet again, with all the trust we had, to betray us at the most scenic spots.

4. Running towards the cruise liner, fearing we might miss that one too, going by enough evidence of a 2 month history timeline.


Coming to the cruise, it was a Viking Line cruise one of the famous carriers in that part of the world. It was a two day trip, Stockholm – Helsinki – Stockholm. Another first for us, we were eager, and already flowing, before the latter happens literally.

We make it in time for the boarding and it at first seemed like a culmination of a 5 star on water and an airport. After a brilliant reception and welcome, we managed to find our way to our cabin. Dumped our bags and just went exploring the structure and its insides, the most exciting corners of the ship being the Duty Free shop and the club.

As the night dawned on us, we braved our way to the deck, and when I say ‘brave’, trust me it was worthy of a Red and White Bravery Awards nomination if not winning it out and out. With some of our structures, the wind would have literally blown us out onto the Baltic Sea. It was chilly, and while I write this, I still feel that clip through my neck and hair right now. We then directed our efforts to the edge and given the sleet cover present, it is safe to say we were outta mind, high on momentous glory.

Out comes the multi faceted sandwich, customized to the last detail, and prepared with heart felt warmth by our Pakistani friend from Stockholm and click goes the beer can, one of the many, I must add here, as we conveniently decided, out of the blue [color seems apt as we were on sea]at the duty free shop that we have to consume all brands of beer available that night, and don’t even get me started on the number on sale. Let’s just say it reached quite a ‘high’ figure. So this moment on the deck, which I term as the Globaliz-ing moment of our Trip is for the following reasons:

 On a Swedish Cruise Liner
 Enjoyin the sumptuous Sandwich made by a Pakistani
 Along with a beer brewed in Holland and another in Germany
 Somwhere in the Baltic Sea
 Towards Finland
 And all experienced by an Indian

Unable to find a more appropriate definition and understanding of the clichéd term. It’s special when you experience it, rather than just reading it in texts and glossy covered magazines. After the wind on the face and delight in your stomach experience, we staggered back[ we literally were moving backwards, thanks to the wind] to the interior confinement of modern luxuries. To further the cause we headed straight to our rooms to make sure our trip and purchases from the duty free were in good stead, if you know what I mean. After hasty swigs we left for the club scene, which was trippy in itself, as all rooms were anyways having private crazy parties and to top it all, the club had views of the serene water world outside giving one a kick one, he could never expect to imagine or wonder. Some of my dear friends had to call it an early night, as they could not handle the first experience, of, mixing waves splashing and alcohol splashing in their stomach too well.

For others, well all I can say is, we were there to Livin’ it Up!!! …..Aboard Style….Another dream realizes on this journey of a lifetime….:)

Paris ki Pari: We were in Paris, for the second round which again would prove to be inadequate, pleasantly enough. Paris woah!!!.....one of the power capitals of the world and we were here….for he 2nd time. Taking off from the first one the metro/tube reminded us of the Cal metro in terms of the number of people thronging the place but the frequency sure delighted us. It was a convenient mode of transport which was what it had meant to be. Some of the compartments also sported hot looks.

Paris is a unique and fabulous tourist destination and hence marketed and maintained in an even graceful manner. There are myriad places to visit and is a vast city. Paris is so famous from a tourists point of view was confirmed by the tourist information office at the Gare du Nord [station]. He was flabbergasted when asked for where to visit apart from the Eiffel and Louvre and other few known to us. From his look it seemed as to how we could arrive in Paris without knowing A-Z of the city.

Our first destination was the beautiful St. Marguerite Basilica. The weather really was depressing in all its elements with the cold breeze and occasional rain which splattered on our faces. We speculated as to how clear and enjoyable the weather would eventually be once we reached the mighty Eiffel. We made our way to the Grande Arche. This seemed like the corporate part of the city. To welcome us was this massive gate or arche from which I believe it got its name from. Wherever the eye moved from there on in terms of direction or distance one could see only steel structures jutting out of the ground as an attempt for the sky. All kinds of MNC’s names led signage to these sky scrapers and hence lend its equity with poise. We then moved onto the renowned and well-recognized Champs Elysees which also seemed to be the major artery of the capital. This was erected in commemoration to the French soldiers who had lost their lives. Right bang in the middle of the multi-point crossing it lent the place the expected sense of elegance. On both sides of the road were brands of every category and any name one could imagine and more importantly afford. One actually felt and sensed a power while walking on this street. I remembered this spot from the various celebrations the French carry out especially the glorious World Cup wining gala festival in 1998.

Our next and ultimately final stop or more appropriately termed destination was the Tower de Eiffel or popularly known as the Eiffel Tower. Made by Gustavo Eiffel this structure and world wonder have always fascinated me especially after viewing the documentary on Discovery. It had become a dream to watch it in person after attaining the facts about this construction. The Tower was supposed to be constructed in Barcelona by Gustavo Eiffel but was eventually done so at this spot as an entrance to a fair. It was also supposed to be dismantled after a year. But the French fell in love with it and hence to our delight and fate it still stands at the very same place. It has on it three coats of color currently a reddish brown at its three levels so that from afar it looks like just one shade. Bunk the facts and history let’s get down to the place….for real…live!!!

The first sight of the Eiffel Tower left me yes in wonder…..I mean isn’t that what a Wonder of the World supposed to do….according to me if it doesn’t then it’s not one. The first picture or thought which came to my mind was that of walking through that gate at the Taj Mahal…..another masterpiece. There sure was a connect between these two attractions and historic spots, both also left me motionless and staring at them for approx 7 minutes, no blinking involved. To read about it and be amazed is one thing and to witness the spectacle and monument is another experience altogether. From every angle and with every step it seemed more attractive than the previous moment. After clicking around a million pictures at every possible and impossible angle we made our way to the base and joined the snaky line for tickets or Billets. My i-pod comes out….it had to. Had to be one with one of the most important things in the world to me….if I could I would have taken a football too. World Hold On…plays on…and it sure is on my command at least that was what it felt like while moving up the lift to the 1st floor. Deciding on to move to the second level straightaway it gets colder and makes way for Limp Bizkit, my all time favorite and an inspiration to other forms of music was the obvious choice. It was like Fred paving the way for me. The music just cut out all forms of human efforts which tried very hard to spoil this special moment via intervention and affirmed the fact that at times its always better to be one with the nature or excellence delivered by man. This was quite an irony on my part as it was built by the vision of one such individual. The work and talent of many such workers who believed in the vision and the architecture is exemplary especially considering the time at which it was thought of, planned and built. We moved onto the second floor and Limp moves onto Lakshya which seemed apt for the situation and view….oh wata sight….the city of Paris right beneath you and one sight captured thousands of people and numerous man made houses and cars, along with the river and lined up trees. I changed the song to Swades and put on my favourite song which I purposely had not heard on this entire trip and had kept it for a exceptional moment like this…which truly deserved the value of this song.

We couldn’t hide our excitement and wanted to at once to move onto the final or 3rd floor. As soon as we move onto the 3rd floor there was this really chilly breeze which greeted us. “Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai”… I took out the i-pod and finally toggled to Pink Floyd as I knew taking it out another time in this wind would be physically impossible. From here it just seemed like the city of blinding lights…unaware of the height at which we stood we sure were at a high and with Gilmour singing it seemed an out of world experience. We noticed this small window and found a man selling champagne for 10 Euros. We had been quite very thrifty in our spending on our Euro Trip….so far. At the price quotation we didn’t even think twice or exchanged any kind of acceptance looks. We just had to have it for the appropriate cherry on the top adorning this momentous occasion. As per Jajoo a very deserving scene took place after this. A French individual came and asked for the price and at hearing it slowly turned away dejected finding it too expensive. For us it seemed like a moment for further celebration and a few laughs. “Learning to fly”….”High Hopes”…”Comfortably Numb”…”Wish you were here”…each one sounded so apt and fitted in perfectly….insanity….too good to be true and real. The weather was challenging to say the least and the champagne kept spilling over as I was literally shivering. We also did the inevitable and yet surprising. We peed on the 3rd floor of the Eiffel….obviously in the WC facility. One had to after the guzzling of coke cans which were not allowed at the security check. Every tourist was enjoying this special moment and romance was definitely in the air, the cold one. It is said that a large number of proposals are made at the Eiffel which did not a come as a surprise to me. I ended up with random talk with many of them and happiness and achievement seemed contagious. I asked myself what else could one ask for, what else could one see more pretty and gorgeous than this, how higher could man go from here.

Simply a dream comes true…simply…

Reluctantly, once we came down from a distance we could see the Eiffel to our amazement sparkling and glittering in blue… incredulously.

Shine on you Crazy Diamond…