We started out with a plan to visit Goteborg in the southwest, 2nd largest city in Sweden. And as they say the journey matters more than the destination, it held true for us. We loved the drive and everything in betweens starting from the cute cafe we had breakfast at, the landscape, the sights- everything! We left the mostly flat with huge lush fields region of Skane and entered the sometimes hilly with tall trees and sometimes rocky terrains of Halland county of Goteland region.
Near Varberg, we visited World War I radio station
at Grimeton. Its the only such long wave radio station left in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sadly, it was closed.
Then a last minute decision landed us ;unknowingly; in the midst of a big mid-summers celebration. We got off the highway to visit Tjoloholms castle and had no idea that there was a big party on on the grounds there and we even unsuspectingly paid the entry fee thinking it was for the castle.
But it was fun. Amongst a sea of Swedish white country folks with families, here were two strangers roaming around not knowing where they were!! The castle was beautiful and the view of the sea behind it was breath-taking.
We landed in Goteborg at 3 p.m.it was raining,we were famished and in a not so very good mood . So there was nothing going for the town. Its supposedly beautiful, but us being in no mood to explore, we started back, which is a pity really.
The area of Osterlen, particularly Simrisham was something straight out of a book. It was picture-perfect. Cobbled-stoned streets, pretty harbour and quaint pastel coloured houses that I have so come to love! In fact, I can't get enough of them and keep clicking almost every house much to the irritation of AshwinQuite near to Simrishamn is Stenshuvud National Park with stunning views, splendid trails and surreal beach. Well, the beach, don't even know where to start. Surreal, that is the only word coming to my mind. Maybe because I haven't seen a sight like this in India - deep blue sea, golden sand and hardly anyone around.
On Sunday, we started out for Kulla peninsula on top of Helsinborg even though it was dull day with a grey cast ominous sky. Yet we were lucky. It rained only whenever we were in the car. First stop, Kullaberg Nature reserve. There are some 11 caves here and great opportunity to go diving, caving, fishing, rock climbing, fishing, golfing and hiking. We took the last option- hiking. Kullen lighthouse, is considered the brightest in Sweden.
The entrance to the reserve is through the tiny fishing village of Molle which has houses perched on its steephill and a small harbour. The weather was kind to us and we could enjoy lunch there.
