Malmo Sweden (Nordics Part V)

Malmo is the last stop before starting our journey home. It wasn’t on the itinerary until the day before, but I was excited to be in Sweden for one more day. I had yet to visit a grocery market in Sweden and now would be able to stock up on a few spices to bring home. 

While I have been on several multi-country/city trips with Bill, this last stop left me feeling exhausted from all of the movement.  Over the last fourteen days, we had flown to Switzerland, taken the train to Italy, and back to Switzerland before flying up to Stockholm to visit family for the weekend.  From Stockholm, we rented a car to drive through my family’s hometown and ended up in Copenhagen for 36 hours, before driving back to Sweden for a night. From Malmo, we drove back to Copenhagen, and flew to Geneva for two days before coming home.  Experiences like this leave me with personal growth and a new perspective, the gift of a lifetime. 

Here we go! 

I am in a new city before 9 AM, with hours to explore while Bill has a day of meetings. I haven't found Kardemmome seeds yet so this is first on my list.  You can buy the spice ground in the United States, but the spice has lost its "punch".  I remember my grandmother baking with Kardemmome pods bought in Sweden (they resemble the vanilla bean), opening the pods to gather seeds for baking. 

After I find a market and buy a year's worth of the spice, I will explore and see as much as I can in about four hours time.

Let's recap the last few days:

• Saturday we woke up in Switzerland, traveling to Geneva and flying to Stockholm
• Tuesday we drove from Stockholm to Vastervik, had some car trouble to deal with before continuing on to Copenhagen
• Wednesday we explored Copenhagen
• Thursday we are back in Sweden. Bill has a day of business in Malmo.  We have a business dinner in the evening.
• Friday we travel to Geneva
• Saturday we travel home

This old town is simply sweet.  Every village/city I get to explore is unique, from different cultures to nuance. Malmo is no exception. 

Romanian beggars were commonplace in Stockholm and Malmo since joining the EU in 2007. I was shocked to see them everywhere and did some research to understand 'why'. You see them sitting on every bridge/bike rack, every street corner.

In Malmo, I saw someone almost blocking the entrance to a shopping area (just that they were sitting so close to the door). The border to Denmark is strict, and once in Copenhagen, you see no migrants. None.

Very sad, most have a photo of family and a collection basket. While no longer living in fear, this cannot be a reality anyone expected. I felt helpless passing them. 

The slideshow continues with seven amazing photos

Approaching Malmo. Once an industrial port town, now a modern city with a little nod to traditional Swedish architecture. No flags on display, but I'm sure they still enjoy Fika.

We are in Malmo for one day. We arrived early and I was out for a walk before 9AM. I was surprised to see a line of a hundred people standing outside

Surprise! While I'm exploring Malmo Bill gets a personal tour Koenigsegg by Christian's wife, set up by someone at BioGaia who has a connection. Amazing experience. Bill's was treated to a personal tour of the factory. No photos allowed but he did get this one. The first car ever made

Dinner at Bloom in the Park, with Axel and his wife. Google this restaurant.! What an experience: a five course mystery meal. The first female head chef in Sweden with a Michelin star.The next day we are driving from Malmo to Copenhagen and flying to Geneva.

Next, we are off to the Geneva Auto Show, as guests of Koenigsegg.  We stopped in to see their car display, had lunch, and enjoyed one last night in Geneva.  

Finally, I must share a photo of Bill and the Koenigsegg he wants to buy. It's a four year wait list so I'm not worried. And... do you know anyone with a spare $4M to spend on a car? ;)

Reflections

What an amazing trip. Time is always needed to decompress and reflect on new memories.  It's part of the reason why I give myself a month to write these stories.

Talking with Andrew last night, he mentioned my travel style has a few similarities with backpackers exploring the world on a dime.  I'm always traveling on foot/public transportation, with a daypack, tea, PB&J sandwich, and fruit. Seldom spend a dollar during the days - I struggle to justify a $20 salad.  I quickly learned to always travel with a jar of peanut butter and thermos after enjoying a $27 bowl of tomato soup for lunch in Sydney. 

• Visiting four countries, and seven cities in 15 days.
• Taking over 1,000 photos, narrowed to 865, sharing about 50.
• Staying in a mix of 3 and 5 star hotels.
• Reconnecting with family members lost due to divorce when I was young.
• Making new friends (who already plan to visit in June)
• Traveling on five flights, ten trains, an auto ferry and a road trip.
• Visiting two Royal Palaces, five castles, a monastery,
• Experiencing an authentic Nordic Spa

These are just a few of the experiences collected on our Nordic Holiday.