Winter In Stockholm

The time might be winter, but the photographs aren't so specific. Random looks at Stockholm in February.

A dusting of snow lets you know it's winter.

Road and harbor. Casual Men Working sign, maybe they're doing "The Safety Dance?"

Fenced in at the harbor.

Bolts of color along a roadway.

Do you speak synchronized smiles?

Being A Superfan At The ᗅᗺᗷᗅ Museum

One thing the ᗅᗺᗷᗅ museum does well is let you slip into the world of the band. There are plenty of interactive opportunities to get your ᗅᗺᗷᗅ on, from karaoke to remixing songs to dancing, lots of dancing for the Queens of the world.

"Shut the front door! Is this really ᗅᗺᗷᗅ calling!?"

You thought Ikea was a champion marketer? ᗅᗺᗷᗅ was dominating the world when Ikea was still putting end tables together. A Rubik's cube? One of the cute interactive (and a little creepy) exhibits, dancing along with the virtual band.

A small selection of displayed costumes. Seriously!

Back to dancing, call up your favorite video and morph right in. Plenty of gold and platinum in them there records.

The fifth ᗅᗺᗷᗅ member, finally wanting out.

Visiting The ᗅᗺᗷᗅ Museum In Stockholm

It's impossible to go to the ᗅᗺᗷᗅ museum and not leave happy. They could name the place the way Parker Brothers names their board games - fun from seven to 70. Catchy music, crazy costumes and a marketing juggernaut, ᗅᗺᗷᗅ had it all and their museum presents everything in a fun, accessible vibe. Leave High Art for another museum.

First up, a surround movie. Time to dive into ᗅᗺᗷᗅ.

The museum starts off slow, reserving a room for the band's humble roots as 60's folkies. The big breakthrough, winning the Eurovision music contest in 1974 with "Waterloo." What were you wearing that day?

Then their life in 3D begins. ᗅᗺᗷᗅ was no accident and the museum doesn't shy away from the aggressive management of the band. Here's their manager, Stig Anderson's office.

Musical inspiration. Their studio and a getaway cottage they used for writing.

"I'm backstage!"

Bringing the party to the world was hard work. Grueling tour calendars and questionable crew attire.

The secret of ᗅᗺᗷᗅ. The costume shop. "Polyester on!"

A quick Survey Of Alleys In Central Stockholm

Old cities, small roads. Add in islands for settlement and alleys become necessary. Central Stockholm  features many little lanes, good for exploring, good for photographing.

Gazing Through The Windows At Fotografiska

If you're ever in Stockholm, go check out its great photography museum, Fotografiska. It has a snazzy building right on the water and provocative exhibitions.

There's a top floor cafe/lounge area that features panoramic windows overlooking the harbor. It's a great place to sit, rest, eat and gaze at Stockholm. And, of course, take nice photographs.

Buying Duty Free In The Baltics

What's a cruise without a Duty Free shop? And if you're running a Duty Free shop, make sure you know what your clientele wants. For a cruise from Riga to Stockholm, it's an eye-opening mix of items. The Duty Free shop tells all.

Let's start with T-Shirts. Ones that play up Riga's Old Town or that Stockholm is home to the Nobel Prize? Nope. Bring on historical Russian pride!

It's all about the classic cars and firepower triumphs.

What's a good mixer for love of automobiles and weapons? Beer! Lots and lots of beer.

They're so kind at the Duty Free shop. They have "beer trollies" at the ready, to make it easy for you to pick up not just a six pack, but rather a four, eight "case" and easily wheel it off the ship. Genius! (If for marketing, not health reasons).

The Duty Free shop is even more thoughtful! You can buy your beer trolley already pre-stacked. Oh, big brother.

We're going to need a little food to help slow down the beer. Great, the Duty Free shop obliges. Are you thinking bear or moose meat in a can?

The Scene While Cruising The Baltic Sea

There's good people watching on the deck of your cruise ship as it navigates the run from Riga to Stockholm. Nice weather, rocky islands to crawl past and alcohol to grease the enjoyment.

A beer and a bench. From where comes that Hitchcock shadow?

Toasting the end of the day.

Smoking section.

The party starts NOW.

Cruising From Riga To Stockholm

Soon after our arrival in Vilnius, the embassy organized a cruise across the Baltic Sea. We're in! The trip is quick, one overnight leg, leaving in the afternoon from Riga, Latvia and arriving mid-morning in Stockholm. You eat, watch a show, catch some sleep and arrive in Scandinavia.

Our big taxi.

Walking the plank. Watching the meal tickets board. While a decent enough cruiser, the ship is definitely a cargo hauler first.

Cabin for two, with a view.

Two more views of a cabin, no view (but a TV waaay up there).

Fancy restaurant.

Have a seat, stay for a Russian hockey game simulcast.

Distance dining.