This morning we are cruising through the Swedish Archipelago to Stockholm. There are some 130000+ islands that make up the archipelago. We open our curtains at 6am and the we are reminded of the European River cruise. The islands in this case are close and the little bat houses on the waters edge are miniatures of the summer houses further up on the island. The sea is very calm and for a large ship we cruise very quietly through the waters. The closer we get to Stockholm, the busier the shipping ways get with overnight Ferries, car Ferries and cruise ships passing backward and forward. On shore we are to do a 5 hour tour and then hopefully have a bit of time on our own. There are 4 cruise ships i port today so sightseeing is going to be crazy . Our first stop is the Vasa Museum. The Vasa was a huge wooden warship built in 1628 for the King of Sweden. The stories say that it was ever meant for battle but it was more about the King demonstrating his power over the surrounding countries, particularly Poland. On its maiden voyage, 10th August 1628, the Vasa sank in Stockholm Harbour. It was discovered and salvaged 333 years later and largely in tack. The Stockholm Harbour is part of the Baltic Sea but has a very low salt content so this aided in preserving the ship. It is such an interesting story and the museum follows the history and the recovery and restoration. The ship has been restored and 95% of it is the original material. It is enormous. The skeletal remains of some of those on board that day were also recovered and lay in cabinets on display. The museum is a place you could certainly spend more time but we are on a tour so hurry, hurry, hurry. The bus park is an absolute joke. The drivers are maneuvering these huge buses in the tightest of places and largely getting nowhere! No one can move. Our guide Sergio was extremely frustrated and so got off our bus and stormed down the road. Next thing we know, the bus us are moving and we have cleared the congestion. Not sure what he said but he was extremely proud of himself when we picked him up down the road a bit. Stockholm is growing rapidly and the infrastructure is not keeping ace. The roads are not made for heavy traffic. Cars are not encouraged as the roads are narrow and the drivers impatient. We have a comprehensive tour of the City Hall. It is not a museum but the building although only 90 years old is made using architecture from previous times. The great hall is used as the dining room for the Nobel Prize Winners dinner as Stockholm is the birth place of the Nobel Prize. Stockholm has been established over14 islands and it has 57 bridges connecting the islands. We complete our tour with a drive around a couple of the islands, one was the hunting ground of former Kings. Now residential but closed for new development. After a short walk in the old town we are again left to our own devices. It's very easy to get disorientated when you are surrounded by water so we seek advice on getting back to the ship. Walking today is not really an option so we take the public bus that delivers us almost to the ships door. Thank goodness we did as Glenn admitted that had we walked we would have headed off in the opposite direction! Safely back on the ship, it's time for some relaxation on the outside deck as we sail away. I like Stockholm and would happily spend more time here. We sail back through the archipelago which is now busier than ever with boats, ferries and ships. It is spectacular scenery which we enjoy from outside on deck 11. Sailing day tomorrow so we look forward to some relaxing time on board and maybe a Samba Lesson!