tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37879474212856547552024-03-12T20:37:49.939-07:00Travelbug StoriesIngridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-33148726060665219742012-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:40:33.276-07:00On the move ... Hello Madrid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c-PLpUja7A/UEMUMNXAEsI/AAAAAAAAAy8/0fDCyhPDyNw/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c-PLpUja7A/UEMUMNXAEsI/AAAAAAAAAy8/0fDCyhPDyNw/s320/starbucks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Another trip, another plane, another airport treat. Normally, my first stop at the airport is at Starbucks to pick up a White Cafe Mocha (with whipped cream and cinnamon), but today my choice was not as much motivated by taste as by the nutritive value of the different drinks. As a result I ventured out of my comfort zone, and gave this Light Caramel Frappucino a try. Nothing will ever beat a full fat & full sugar drink, but I think this one might become a regular. At least on non-winter day. If we're travelling in freezing temperatures, I think I'll pass on iced drinks. :o) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I did an online check-in, we weren't in a hurry to get in and while the other half enjoying a smoke break, we ended up conversing with a young French guy from Marseille, who was doing a stopover in Brussels on his way to Nanking, China, where he would be teaching French at the local faculty for a period of 5 months (at first). We spent about an hour talking with him before having to get back into the terminal to drop of the luggage.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBhMPQol2NQ/UEJ7tOPaq4I/AAAAAAAAAyU/qq4Q1rBL3A0/s1600/velo+bru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBhMPQol2NQ/UEJ7tOPaq4I/AAAAAAAAAyU/qq4Q1rBL3A0/s320/velo+bru.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedalling travellers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once that was taken care of we did a pitstop at the bookstore where I bought two more novels (even if I already had packed one from home to read on the plane). Bookaholic in action, I guess. After a little hold up at the security check (guess who made the alarm go off, again?), we made it to the gate where the following contraptions caught my eye. It was a stand by Electrabel, one of the mayor players on the Belgian energy market, were you could charge your laptop's or phone's battery. But energy comes at a price : instead of just handing you the juice for free, Electrabel decided to make us work for it. With a dynamo type setup, you have to get up on one of those bikes and pedal ! I thought it was a very cool idea and depending on the building costs, it would be very useful to have these types of charging stations scattered around town. After all, who hasn't found herself with a dead phone just when you need to make a phonecall?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because the flight was late in arrival at Brussels, boarding started half an hour later than scheduled and subsequently the flight took off later as well. However thanks to prevailing tail winds, our 2h15 journey ended up becoming a 1h40 trip. Lucky for us, because the person sharing our row was rather rude and obnoxious. First of all, even though she was obese but felt it was OK to make comments on our weight. Things like "<i>Oh, well, if I can't lower the table, you most definitely won't be able to</i>". I looked her dead in the eye, lowered the table to its normal horizontal position and told her "<i>Look at that. "I" have no problems at all</i>". That shut her up for about 5 minutes. Then she kept looking at the menu and because neither of our seats had one, we asked if we could take a look at the menu as well. Her reaction? "<i>Maybe you didn't get any menu, because they knew you had already eaten</i>". WTF? The nerve of some people. Really.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the flight, luggage collection was a breeze. Our flower power suitcase attracted the usual amount of attention. :o) I had organised an express transfer to the flat with Aerocity and although everything went smoothly at the counter, we waited for half an hour before the counter lady came to enquire about our destination again. Turns out, someone else took our taxi. They had approached another couple, asked if they were the Ingrid party (to which they had responded yes) and send them off to our address. Hmmm, what are the odds that there would be a second Ingrid at the same place in a large airport as Barajas. Anyway, they put us on a shuttle bus at a lower price and we still made it to Calle Pez, where our friendly landlord Sandra was waiting for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaZoZ4IHBF4/UEMQjNTn4bI/AAAAAAAAAyo/AXSLWVl3zus/s1600/pez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaZoZ4IHBF4/UEMQjNTn4bI/AAAAAAAAAyo/AXSLWVl3zus/s400/pez.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The attic studio is exactly as announced on the <a href="http://www.desigmadrid.com/en/apartments/madrid/malasana/apartment_atico-de-pez/#ad-image-0" target="_blank">Desig website</a> and I am convinced we'll have a great stay over here. This studio flat was our second choice in a way, as our first booking got cancelled because the owner had to sell the flat due to the dire economic circumstances in Spain right now. Finding another place to stay which responded to our criteria (not too expensive, linen included, terrace, wifi, TV and elevator if over 2nd floor) took a while but I am happy to have found this little gem in the heart of Madrid. Definitely a recommended stay in Spain's capital for a couple.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAt01lFgKEM/UEJ7sEtSOzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Q2d-7tXv6KM/s1600/tapeo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAt01lFgKEM/UEJ7sEtSOzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Q2d-7tXv6KM/s320/tapeo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Malasaña seems to be a very colourful barrio. I knew it was a neighbourhood of bars and nightlife, but I didn't t expect to see that many Asians (Chinese?). Every little foodstore I encountered was being held by them, and there are quite a few in this barrio. After a drink at the Zombie Bar (what's in a name?) below, I set off in search of a supermarket to buy some groceries. I boldly decided that I wouldn't be needing a map and obviously got lost along the way. Fortunately I could call my "backup GPS person", who stayed at the flat and guided me back to more familiar surroundings :o)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We ended the day with an improvised tapeo on our terrace ... the perfect ending of a first day of holiday. Tomorrow, we'll be exploring Malasaña and Chueco before meeting up with our cousin Isabel for dinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Thanks for reading my little blog :o)</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-39430654907266754322012-05-21T13:23:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:40:20.255-07:00Last day in Stockholm<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was our last day in Stockholm and we only had two things planned : a visit to the UNESCO world heritage site <i> Skogskyrkogården</i>, aka the Woodland Cemetery, and a trip up the Skyview for a fabulous view of Stockholm.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upon arrival at the Cemetery, I wanted to take a picture and ... shock and horror ... I forgot to put the memory card back in the camera :o( A special site and no camera to record any of it. I was so angry with myself. Luckily I still had my phone on me but taking pictures with your iphone just isn't the same thing.</div>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMS2ZgA4ks8/T7qiUDOIBkI/AAAAAAAAATo/2bLx7_73A2U/s1600/Skogskyrkog%C3%A5rden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMS2ZgA4ks8/T7qiUDOIBkI/AAAAAAAAATo/2bLx7_73A2U/s400/Skogskyrkog%C3%A5rden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some background info from the official website :</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>When Skogskyrkogården was founded at the beginning of the 1900s, the aim was to create something special, something original - a cemetery blending nature and architecture into a seamless whole.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Today, Skogskyrkogården is considered one of the most important creations of modern architecture, and is even inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Skogskyrkogården's history begins at the beginning of the 1900s, when it became apparent that Stockholm's cemeteries were insufficient and needed complementing. Stockholm City Council decided to build a new cemetery south of the existing Southern Cemetery, in modern-day Enskede.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>At the time, cemeteries were generally considered "Gardens of the Dead", with grandiose parks, tree-lined avenues and impressive headstones raising a kind of memento to the dead. The city's cemetery committee had a desire to move away from this ideal and to instead create a cemetery centred on the underlying landscape.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This cemetery is really unlike any other place I ever visited. The tombs are all among the trees and because none of the headstones are high or imposing, they really blend in with nature. You just hear the birds and occasionally a passing car or a grassmower of the maintenance crew, but it is incredibly peaceful. I made a little 360° recording to share the experience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtugoK4nNS3_Ls6da8Nkz2EBeFiH5OqFcunMTpUIvYKJPEN6yZ8RCCOPznas0WxtduSnpSwscVQW8zEuG_IQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And here ends our little citytrip in Stockholm and my first attempt at keeping a travel blog. Hopefully you had as much fun reading it as I had visiting and writing about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WyeHyRFgiY/T7qjs-NkMFI/AAAAAAAAATw/V9vrkJ8G2E8/s1600/photo+%2823%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WyeHyRFgiY/T7qjs-NkMFI/AAAAAAAAATw/V9vrkJ8G2E8/s400/photo+%2823%29.JPG" width="387" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0Sockenvägen 492, 122 33 Enskede, Suède59.2791581 18.097877959.2710466 18.0781369 59.287269599999995 18.1176189tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-5253254702418596022012-05-20T11:52:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:40:02.091-07:00Drottningholm Slottet, a day on the royal estate<div style="text-align: justify;">
The trip is nearing its end :o( Except for the nights not being dark (enough) and our sleep therefor being shortened, this has really been a wonderful travel experience. Too bad, I'll be back at work on Wednesday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, I have a few pictures to share of today's visits. We took the boat to Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the Swedish royal family. The visit of the palace itself was restricted to well-defined areas and again no picture taking was allowed. But we did the visit before heading out to the park to admire the layout of the French gardens and the water features. As in the palace, half of the garden was closed to the public but there was enough area to cover as it was.</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnLhcoIonI/T7k7b4DB3rI/AAAAAAAAATI/u7IzY0nhfm8/s1600/drottningsholm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnLhcoIonI/T7k7b4DB3rI/AAAAAAAAATI/u7IzY0nhfm8/s400/drottningsholm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Within the setting of the park, there is the <i>Kina Slott</i>, the Chinese pavilion, a little summer palace King Gustave III gave to his Queen as a birthday present. The first building got dismantled a decade after its construction due to rust, before being rebuilt. We were lucky enough to merge with a little group who was having a guided tour of the premises and learned quite a few things about the rococo architecture and the orientalism in fashion in the 18th century. Again no pictures allowed, a habit in the royal palaces apparently ...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW1KWprTa5E/T7k8JEy64nI/AAAAAAAAATQ/bKMTedWhtcE/s1600/kina+slott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW1KWprTa5E/T7k8JEy64nI/AAAAAAAAATQ/bKMTedWhtcE/s400/kina+slott.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you can tell from these pictures we had again a hot and sunny day. We have been really lucky with the weather on this travel. As a result the sunburn only got worse today ... I fear that the lobster skintone is here to stay. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow will be our last day in Stockholm. I feel I'm going to miss this place.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH_b6AYg0lw/T7k9Kw6gg7I/AAAAAAAAATY/oocrEHfmxF4/s1600/DSC02895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH_b6AYg0lw/T7k9Kw6gg7I/AAAAAAAAATY/oocrEHfmxF4/s320/DSC02895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-1415047260470979962012-05-19T12:28:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:39:35.605-07:00From the Baltic to Lake Mälaren - a day on the water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6R1Oe4TMwo/T7fsuZOSbPI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Dm-DHDUQ0ts/s1600/Cruise+on+the+Baltic+and+Lake+M%C3%A4laren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6R1Oe4TMwo/T7fsuZOSbPI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Dm-DHDUQ0ts/s400/Cruise+on+the+Baltic+and+Lake+M%C3%A4laren.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Almost a whole day on or near water, a bit of sunshine and guess what ... yours truly got a sunburn! That's what you get when your skin (which hasn't seen the sun in over a year) gets kissed passionately by Helios. I bear a slight resemblance to a cooked lobster at the moment. Just the head part though, because of the wind and the spray ,I didn't expose any other bodyparts to the sun. My cheeks are really hot as well, hopefully everything will cool down a bit by tomorrow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today we had a slow day : instead of running around on our own across the city, we let the boat do the moving bit :o) Through the Stockholm card, we could take a Grand Canal Tour for free. Therefore first thing in the morning, we set off to the Stockholm Sightseeing departure quay and picked up our free tickets for the tour along the island of Djurgården and bought our extra tickets for the Under the Bridges tour which would take us all around Södermalm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I was pleasantly surprised with the sights, especially during the Grand Canal Tour. It's just unbelievable to have such extended green areas within a city's capital. We saw plenty of people, biking, jogging or just strolling along the waterside and I can't blame them. Even I (the sport-challenged one) would be seduced by all this inviting greenery. There were also quite a lot of people boating or rowing. According to the guidebook, about 7% of the Swedish population owns a boat ... no surprise then to see the Swedes enjoying their sunny Saturday on the water. Everything is so peaceful. That is also something that struck us after a couple of days in the city : its quietness. Despite the cars, T-bana trains, busses, tourists, .... the noise level is far lower than at home. Is it because of the size of the buildings (no real high rises), the wideness of the streets or maybe the proximity of the water ... I have no idea, but it is a really pleasant feel and is one of the charming aspects of this city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow we'll be taking another boat to visit yet another Royal Palace, Dottningsholm Slottet and considering the site is one hour away, we'll probably end up spending the day visiting the different buildings and the park. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As a parting gift, another of those Swedish commercial we see at least 5 times every evening. I think the iceguy is just hilarious. Enjoy and see you all again tomorrow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E0_NLSkj2m4?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></center>
Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-10273327601823816812012-05-18T13:17:00.001-07:002013-04-10T06:38:20.649-07:00Strolling through Gamla Stan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4K1LbvQEGLo/T7aeHkgSEII/AAAAAAAAARs/AgQu3f-jtK0/s1600/DSC02643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4K1LbvQEGLo/T7aeHkgSEII/AAAAAAAAARs/AgQu3f-jtK0/s200/DSC02643.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
On this new day strolling the streets of the Swedish capital, we were again blessed by the weather gods. After a sunny morning with chilly winds, we got another day of bright sunshine. And considering we spent a large part of the day, exploring the little streets and alleys of Gamla Stan, it was just perfect.<br />
<br />
We started off from a different T-bana station than yesterday and this one had the cutest decorations, like the one on the left. All these pixelated drawings made me feel like I was a character in a Mario game. Instant good feeling ...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62f_LIFJzas/T7ag7ukzSXI/AAAAAAAAAR4/DogLl20Ouic/s1600/DSC02515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62f_LIFJzas/T7ag7ukzSXI/AAAAAAAAAR4/DogLl20Ouic/s200/DSC02515.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, we boarded the green line which brought us immediately into Gamla Stan. First stop on the programme, was visiting the Ridderholms Church where all the Swedish monarchs used to be buried. While looking at the shields of the deceased monarchs and heads of state, we were surprised to find (besides the ones of Emperor Hirohito, Charles de Gaulle and Prince Rainier of Monaco) the one of our own late King Boudewijn. Apparently every Knight of the Order of Seraphim hands in their shield and motto when they are appointed and when they pass away, the shield gets a place in the Church. The memorial chapels with the sarcophagi were quite impressive, especially the Gustavian one. Seeing those little pewter coffins was a bit sad, two of the children only lived to be 1 year old. Luckily science has evolved enough to reduce the death rate in children these days ...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dz-kjkWdIw/T7alkqbLjuI/AAAAAAAAASE/WPEtVQkAoPI/s1600/mycollage+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dz-kjkWdIw/T7alkqbLjuI/AAAAAAAAASE/WPEtVQkAoPI/s400/mycollage+%283%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUlobWpMZgI/T7am0PUg7gI/AAAAAAAAASM/mnqRIyJD44E/s1600/DSC02574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUlobWpMZgI/T7am0PUg7gI/AAAAAAAAASM/mnqRIyJD44E/s200/DSC02574.JPG" width="133" /></a>After a short walk we ended up at the <i>Kungliga Slottet</i>, the Royal Palace. Taking pictures was not allowed, so I have nothing to show for but we did tour the whole castle, visiting the state apartments, the treasury, ... I was surprised to learn that during their official visits the different heads of state stayed at the Royal Palace and in the same rooms that were opened to the public. I always thought that when the Kings and Presidents went abroad on official visits, they would be staying at upscale fancy hotels. I'll have to check what they do at home. If they also take in royal guests at the palace or if they let them spent the night at the Conrad or another one of Brussels 5* hotels ...</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Next stop was the Storkyrkan, or Stockholm's cathedral. This is my favourite of the buildings we have visited so far. I really liked the feel of the place, even if I am in general not a fan of baroque. If I can choose, I'll always opt for a (late) Gothic architecture, but this one was OK. Probably because it was a Gothic church to begin with :o)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Ex60RYecE/T7apv3RDtxI/AAAAAAAAASY/Bq_Rr59vlfQ/s1600/mycollage+%284%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Ex60RYecE/T7apv3RDtxI/AAAAAAAAASY/Bq_Rr59vlfQ/s400/mycollage+%284%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We rounded off the day by strolling around the island, from Stortorget (the big place in the center of the island) to Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, the narrowest street of Gamla stan, a little alley, barely 90 cm large and counting 36 steps. Old colourful houses, little piazzas and a blue sky, ... can you ask for more?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crwY_9Sps9g/T7ateCmyMsI/AAAAAAAAASo/BV0crTXl0hU/s1600/mycollage+%285%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crwY_9Sps9g/T7ateCmyMsI/AAAAAAAAASo/BV0crTXl0hU/s400/mycollage+%285%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow will be a more relaxed day, as we have at least one boat trip scheduled and while checking the timetables again tonight, I spotted a second one which might catch our interest as well. Better spare our feet a bit, as we'll have another up and running day on Sunday when we'll be visiting Drottningholm Palace. Stay tuned for more travel news ...</div>
<br />Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-19377530610976625462012-05-17T14:18:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:39:01.082-07:00A day on Djurgården<div style="text-align: justify;">
Who switched on the light? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcQOPK4iBCI/T7VopYvniaI/AAAAAAAAARM/HK9RMVv8nfw/s1600/Daylight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcQOPK4iBCI/T7VopYvniaI/AAAAAAAAARM/HK9RMVv8nfw/s320/Daylight.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today started at the crack of dawn, i.e. 4 in the morning. Although I knew through Em's pictures that 600 km north of here, the summer days seem endless, I didn't expect that the day started this early in Stockholm as well. At 4.00 AM there was a much light as midday. A bit disconcerting when you're not used to it. And although your mind tells you that this is really an ungodly hour to be awake, your body seems to kickstart when flooded with light. The fact that I am used to sleeping in pitchblack and that the venetian blinds of the flat are not that obscuring, probably didn't help. I was up and running way earlier than expected and without any "morning moods" neither, so there's no complaining really.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wanted to write a bit about the oddities of staying in a strange country yesterday, but it slipped my mind. Time to set that right. Every country has its own habits and oddities. I am sure that whoever visits Belgium the first time will raise his or her eyebrows at things that I take for granted or consider completely ordinary. So it comes as no surprise, that there are things in Sweden that I find odd. This is most definitely not a judgement value but what I have noticed so far is that :</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>all doors seem to be opening up the "wrong" way i.e. they swing open to the exterior, like the front door of the flat or the building in general. Thinking about it, it is a more logical if you consider a possible evacuation. When in a hurry to get out, it will always be easier to push on the door in front of you than to pull it.</li>
<li>I keep getting the doorhandles wrong in the flat. Pressing down the handle locks the door instead of opening it. It is a bit confusing.</li>
<li>the doorbell is a button under the door handle and is basically the same as a bicycle bell. It took a while to locate it yesterday.</li>
<li>for what I thought was a very eco-society (think green), some companies don't seem to be so aware of wasting energy. There are several office buildings in the street and when we saw the last employees leave around 8.00 PM last night, nobody bothered to switch of the lights or the TVs. As a result, today being a public holiday, nobody is at work, but their office is still lit up like a Christmas tree. Now don't go thinking that we are looking at office buildings all over, but living on the 8th floor and having a office building on the opposite side of the street, does give you a good view on things. :o)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SohyqZh3dZA/T7VQAoQf8ZI/AAAAAAAAAPc/lDEfMCEiDy0/s1600/sthlmkortet_stor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SohyqZh3dZA/T7VQAoQf8ZI/AAAAAAAAAPc/lDEfMCEiDy0/s1600/sthlmkortet_stor.jpg" /></a>So, what did we get up to today? First of all we had to get to the Visitor Center in order to pick up the <a href="http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/stockholmcard/">Stockholm cards</a> I ordered online (grabbing a 10% discount on those cards on the way). Even if the cards are pricey (think 1770 SEK/195 EUR for a 5 day card), they are well worth the money. If we visit everything I put on the programme, we will end up saving about 230 EUR on entry fees to museums. If you ever do a city trip to Stockholm, check it out ... you might be surprised to see the savings you could make.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back to our trip to T-centralen and another thing I noticed about Swedes : they are really one of the nicest people around. Most of them are fluent in English and when they aren't (like our taxi driver yesterday who conversed in a German/English mix), they really go out of their way to get themselves understood. They are always helpful, always smiling (especially if you try to show off your few words of Swedish) and if they could teach their notion of hospitality to many other nations around the globe, the world would be travel heaven. Like the employee at the underground. When we asked for two single tickets (because we were just going to pick up the cards and once we had them, public transport would be free for all 5 days), he immediately told us that proportionally single tickets were quite expensive and that a daycard might be more economical solution if we were going around in public transport. That's the kind of thing I mean : I dare you to try this in Brussels and see if someone would give you this kind of sensible advice. Not a chance ...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, we picked up the cards and made our way to Djurgården with tram 7 (helping a French tourist on the way who heard us talking and was at a loss finding the same stop we were heading for). Another thing that struck us about this capital is it cleanliness : no litter on the streets, clean building faces, no grafitti or tags, ... Very impressive.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The tram was crammed with families with little kids in strollers and they all got off at the <i>Vasamuseet </i>stop just as we did. We were wondering were they were heading until we saw the sign for the Junibacken and saw that the entry to the themepark of the fabulous stories of Astrid Lindgren seemed to be their gathering point :o) Leaving the happy families behind, we set off to look for the entrance to the Vasa museum. And we ended up doing the same thing as we did with the Guggenheim in Bilbao last December i.e. doing a whole tour of the building before noticing that we missed the entrance by a couple of meters at the very beginning of our tour. :o) Or how to tire your feet needlessly ...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nevertheless we made it to the Vasa Museum and were very impressed with this salvaged ship, restaurated to 95% of its original state despite having been immersed in the Stockholm waters for 333 years. Although taking pictures with flash was allowed, it gave the pictures a nasty colour, so I decided to try and shoot pictures without using it. As a result the pictures aren't as sharp as I would like them to be, but well ... these are just the rough cuts without any editing (except for the cropping to mosaic size).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gA4y8W_p0BQ/T7abZvYk6vI/AAAAAAAAARY/dJxGGXg9h4E/s1600/mycollage+%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gA4y8W_p0BQ/T7abZvYk6vI/AAAAAAAAARY/dJxGGXg9h4E/s400/mycollage+%281%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbhgaa0AHko/T7VeoIVXR0I/AAAAAAAAAQs/He1W4498Hso/s1600/DSC02451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbhgaa0AHko/T7VeoIVXR0I/AAAAAAAAAQs/He1W4498Hso/s320/DSC02451.JPG" width="320" /></a>After some soup, we spent the afternoon at the Skansen open air museum. By this time the sun was shining brightly and with all the flowers around, it really felt like summer. Skansen is a really fun place, and today being the Norwegian national day, there were Norwegian flags all over the place and many visitors wore blue and red ribbons pinned to their clothes. Norwegians galore in Stockholm? I also never saw so many double strollers, something rather unusual in Belgium, unless you have twins. Over here, it's more families who have two kids who are close to each other agewise : like a baby with a two year old. So lots of little ones visiting Skansen with their parents and also quite a few baby animals around : the reindeer, the owls, the wild pigs, the geese, ... they all passed their genes on to the next generation. :o)</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o0mODZnwa4/T7VlqC13yTI/AAAAAAAAARA/xOWE5G8Pszo/s1600/mycollage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o0mODZnwa4/T7VlqC13yTI/AAAAAAAAARA/xOWE5G8Pszo/s400/mycollage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Skansen was a nice introduction to Swedish life over the centuries and we saw lots of interesting homesteads and farms, like these below.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlzLikhd-vU/T7abjPaxpMI/AAAAAAAAARg/YAUvXkyKFt4/s1600/mycollage+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlzLikhd-vU/T7abjPaxpMI/AAAAAAAAARg/YAUvXkyKFt4/s400/mycollage+%282%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow we'll be spending the day in <i>Gamla Stan</i>, visiting the old city. To brighten up your wait of another blogpost, a little picture taken in front of the<i> Biologiska Museet</i> this afternoon. Daffodils always cheer me up :o)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izEn8JdhoIo/T7VhEEz-LyI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xzARnK_x9RQ/s1600/DSC02495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izEn8JdhoIo/T7VhEEz-LyI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xzARnK_x9RQ/s320/DSC02495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh and this commercial is on the air all the time on TV. I don't know what the lyrics are to this kid's song but I just love the rhythm and the kids' enthusiasm as opposed to the mom's despair. Enjoy :o)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mSw5LDLXHG8?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></center>
Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0Sollidenbacken, 115 21 Stockholm, Zweden59.32618430580267 18.10358047485351659.318083805802672 18.083839474853516 59.334284805802668 18.123321474853515tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-85615664564406737632012-05-16T14:10:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:42:22.053-07:00Getting settled<div style="text-align: justify;">
The morning started like a normal workday. For once, taking a plane wasn't synonym of having to get up in the middle of the night. You won't hear me complaining :o) So, as usual, the alarm went off at 6.00 and we were all set when the taxi showed up 10 minutes early. Unsurprisingly, the Brussels ringroad was already jammed, even before 7.00 AM, but we were still well on time at the airport. I already checked in online yesterday, but apparently you have to do the check in yourself with Brussels Airlines nowadays, either beforehand or at the airport itself. The staff is only there for luggage drop off. Result : baffled senior citizens staring at computer screens wondering how to work the machines. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_4tKETsDH8/T7QEDyV1wYI/AAAAAAAAAOo/jW9wFP8kvjE/s1600/starbuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_4tKETsDH8/T7QEDyV1wYI/AAAAAAAAAOo/jW9wFP8kvjE/s320/starbuck.jpg" width="240" /></a>After the drop-off, it was time for my airport ritual : a stop at Starbucks. For most people, Starbucks is the most ordinary thing in the world, but to me it is still a treat, because the coffeeshop at the airport is the only one in my surroundings. My ritual consists of 2 things : grande White Coffee Mocha with cinnamon on top and a muffin, either banana or apple/cinnamon. Hmm ... starting to see a pattern here? ;o)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So after a coffee in the icy wind (outside = last smoke for the other half), I tried the mobile boarding pass on the iphone, but I couldn't get it to scan it at the entrance to the gates. Luckily I had a printed copy as well (always prepared), so I didn't cause to much of a jam (although the yuppie behind me was clearly annoyed by my failing technology). The security check went smoothly as well for a change : for the first time in 10+ years of international travel, I didn't set off the metal detector. And I didn't even take my boots off! The wondrous world of airport security. Last year my bra's underwire had the detector beeping wildly while dearest passed without a problem with a forgotten jackknife (10 cm blade) in the carry-on luggage. Makes you wonder ...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKfH1M0U3g0/T7QWMmd1vII/AAAAAAAAAPA/y8C7Qu5zJeE/s1600/photo+%286%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKfH1M0U3g0/T7QWMmd1vII/AAAAAAAAAPA/y8C7Qu5zJeE/s200/photo+%286%29.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFZMgreY9Kk/T7QWNUhlmXI/AAAAAAAAAPM/e0KAgTIUeNY/s1600/photo+%287%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFZMgreY9Kk/T7QWNUhlmXI/AAAAAAAAAPM/e0KAgTIUeNY/s200/photo+%287%29.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, anyway, the plane was on time (yeah!) and thanks to tailwinds, we made it to Stockholm Bromma Airport 15 mins ahead of schedule. With our fancy suitcase covers, we spotted our luggage right away (and were spotted by the other passengers as well -> Flower Power :o) ). </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Prrkgm8fo/T7QWKVEa_uI/AAAAAAAAAO0/M9bXHwPcgkw/s1600/avion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Prrkgm8fo/T7QWKVEa_uI/AAAAAAAAAO0/M9bXHwPcgkw/s320/avion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The taxi driver was already waiting for us, so in no time we were on our way to our rental. If you are looking for a flat in Stockholm, I can definitely recommend the service of <a href="http://www.costockholm.com/">c/o Stockholm</a> and <a href="http://www.costockholm.com/bb2.html#a4">Anna's and Andreas' flat</a> especially. I was a bit surprised that they are actually renting us their home. Usually when we rent a flat, it is a place that the owners have bought in view of renting it out as a holiday home. This one clearly isn't : family pictures on the wall, filled cupboards and wardrobes, ... Anna and her family are staying at her parent's while we're staying at their place. Little Pelle was very excited about the upcoming traintrip and his little suitcase he helped pack yesterday, and was talking to us about it with all his 4 year old enthusiasm (in Swedish obviously). We didn't understand a word of it, but just nodded with a big smile and he seemed to be happy with that response :o)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was a "chill" day, we just went looking around the neighbourhood and shopping for groceries at the local supermarket. The shopping experience was a bit more challenging than expected, especially since I forgot to take my little travel dictionary with me. When the packaging wasn't really tell-tale, the contents immediately became mysterious. I wouldn't mind trying out mystery meat, but travelling with a fussy eater, I have to be more careful in my choices. I have a little Swedish phrasebook on my phone which features such incredible phrases as "<i>Jag är delfintränare</i>" (I am a dolphin trainer) or "<i>Ska du ge mig ditt nummer eller måste jag förfölja dig?</i>" (Are you going to give me your telephone number or will I have to follow you around? ... hmm, stalker comes to mind...) but can't tell me the difference between <i>gris </i>and <i>nöt </i>(pork and beef from what I gathered, looking at it). One thing I did notice : Swedes have a sweettooth. I have never seen such a big assortment of pastries, chocolates, sweets, cakes, cookies, ... anywhere. Really. However chocolate cereals seem to be a no-no ... impossible to find any special K (or lookalikes) with chocolate ... strange. </div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--O-UtYRaXLU/T7QWL1ytUcI/AAAAAAAAAO8/dmFPM-b-yQc/s1600/fika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--O-UtYRaXLU/T7QWL1ytUcI/AAAAAAAAAO8/dmFPM-b-yQc/s320/fika.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To recover from the shopping experience, we did enjoy a typical Swedish <i>fika </i>with cinnamon and pistachio buns on our terrace in the sunshine. It feels definitely warmer over here than at home, and even if according to the weather services it was only 14°, we changed into T-shirts as soon as we got here. Hopefully the weather will stay this way because tomorrow will be a busy day visiting <i>Djurgården</i>.</div>
<br />
Stay tuned for more stories of me in <i>Sverige </i>:o)<br />
<br />
<br />Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com1Lindhagensterassen, Stadshagen, Ville de Stockholm, Suède59.335312568614611 18.01470279693603559.333288068614614 18.009767296936037 59.337337068614609 18.019638296936034tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-51862224879298315272012-05-15T12:31:00.000-07:002013-04-10T06:42:44.849-07:00Sverige, här kommer jag.I haven't had any days off since last Christmas, so I am really looking forward to finally enjoying a well-deserved vacation. For the first time, we'll be travelling to Northern Europe. Surprisingly it didn't take too much to convince my other half to travel north for a change. The thing is, with the weather being what it is over here (i.e. awful in general), we usually tend to look for sunny destinations to spend our off days. Obviously Stockholm won't be hot (see below) but if we can keep the rain at bay and grab a little sunshine along the way, I'm sure we'll have a great time.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>Final checklist before departure:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Online check-in on tomorrow's flight <i>OK</i></li>
<li>Contacting landlord to confirm our arrival time <i>OK</i><i></i></li>
<li>Printing all the confirmation documents <i>OK</i><i></i></li>
<li>Printing the finetuned visit programme <i>OK</i><i></i></li>
<li>Printing the address labels for the holiday cards <i>OK</i></li>
<li>Downloading Swedish translator apps for the phone<i> </i> <i>OK</i> </li>
<li>Confirm taxi pick-up at 7.00 tomorrow <i>OK</i><i></i></li>
</ul>
<br />
Well, considering my suitcase is packed, I guess we're ready for take-off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FwkNOjLGCvw/T7Km7tOHTCI/AAAAAAAAAOc/GRTSkJlycYg/s640/blogger-image-1057709939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FwkNOjLGCvw/T7Km7tOHTCI/AAAAAAAAAOc/GRTSkJlycYg/s400/blogger-image-1057709939.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweden here I come. Sverige, här kommer jag.</div>
Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787947421285654755.post-75808759237486852352012-05-14T02:23:00.000-07:002012-05-14T03:31:46.461-07:00First travel post and final countdownI should find a way to adapt this template to display the date of the posts, which somehow it refuses to do. Nevertheless that will be something for after the holidays, because I don't have to time to tweak it before departure.<br />
<br />
So final countdown : two more nights sleep and we'll be heading to <i>Nordens Venedig</i>, the Nordic Venice, the City on the Water ... you guessed it, Sweden's capital ... <b>Stockholm</b><i>.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Stockholm_Montage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Stockholm_Montage.png" width="282" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Oke Fredrik Posse/Stryngford Photo Michael Krautwasser/en:User:Micha221, Krautwasser.com Fredrik Posse/Stryngford Photo Brorsson Mastad Grishasergei MindBlocker Jürgen Howaldt Samwong124 [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ETA : I just changed the template of the blog again. This way the date appears at least.</span></span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></i></div>
</div>
<br />Ingridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180742524958883048noreply@blogger.com0