The Swedish East Indiaman Götheborg ran aground at the entrance to Göteborg on 12 September 1745. The ship was fully laden with goods such as tea, porcelain, silk and spices, and had almost reached dock after her third voyage to China, which had lasted a full 30 months. There was not much left of the ship in December 1984, according to the divers who descended to the sea bed by the submerged rock, Hunnebådan, 900 metres from New Elfsborg Fortress. Yet it would emerge that, under layers of clay, there was a great deal to rediscover. A marine archaeological excavation lasting from 1986 to 1992 opened the door to a by gone century, adventurous voyages and trade with China. And awakened the dream of rebuilding the ship.

The Swedish East Indiaman Götheborg Foundation was established in 1986 for the excavation. A fundraising foundation with the wholly owned subsidiary company Svenska Ostindiska Companiet AB (SOIC) was established in 1993. The firrst step in the exciting construction project was taken in June 1995. The long awaited First sea trial took place on 22 May 2005.

The project has attracted great attention in China. In April 2004, The Swedish Ship was visited by China’s Foreign Minister Mr Li Xiaoxing, who welcomed the ship to China. China’s Deputy Prime Minister, Madame Wu Yi, visited Terra Nova in September 2004. Both emphasised the importance of The Swedish Ship “Götheborg” as a symbol for trade, cultural exchange and friendship between Sweden and China.

The Swedish Ship Götheborg - a reconstruction of a ship from the mid-18th century is now one of the largest fullrigged wooden sailing ships in the world, and meets international safety requirements for ocean going vessels. The project is based on modern research combined with the revival of traditional methods of craftsmanship dating from the 18th century. Anyone meeting The Swedish Ship Götheborg under full sail out at sea would find it impossible to distinguish her from the original ship.

Finally I’ve sorted all the 153 photos we took in Visby the other day when we went there to see all the magnificent old wooden ships that were visiting Visby harbor. It’s so difficult to delete photos!

It was almost like being thrown back in time, feeling the magic of this ships history. Walking on historic grounds… erhm… I mean deck. You can’t resist falling in love with those wonderful old ships!

Here is the proof that I’ve sat my foot on this marvelous ship:

We (Me, hubby and Per, the farmer) had a wonderful day there even if the weather wasn’t the best. We managed to just barely avoid the rain showers. We stayed at the old brig Gerda during the worst showers,

I must say that there was a very friendly and nice atmosphere at Gerda. We were also having a good time at their bar. They had some whisky tasting of the only Swedish whisky Mackmyra.

Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) was another Brig visiting, who is modelled after Gladan, built in 1857 as a cargo navy ship. Four gentlemen with a passion for beauty, navigation and sailing vessels launched the Stockholm Brig project in 1993, but it’s traditional Launching wasn’t until August, 2005 with her first official premier sailing July 2007. In 2008 she is doing her maiden journey.

There were also a Schooner from Åland visiting - besides all the other modern boats in the harbor, some luxury indeed with the champagne on the table ready - yum!

Of course my hungry monster stomach demanded that we did eat something there too, but it was nothing fancy, just some pasta dishes down at one of the restaurants in the harbor. After that we went shopping for some things that Per needed and then headed home - arriving late in the evening.

Don’t miss all Lifecruiser glorious photos from the ships in Visby 2008! (I’ve written some more info at some of the photos)

You can read more about those ships at these links:
Swedish Ship Ghöteborg
Swedish Brig Tre Kronor
Swedish Brig Gerda (Only in Swedish)
Schooner Linden (From Åland)

I’ll just write a quick status update, have had problem with the internet connection - too slow. The opposite from me today: I have oiled lots and lots of garden furniture and on top of that cleaned the toilets and shower which we share with the others on the farm. Tough job - no vacation… *giggles*

We tried to find a chiropractor or something to Mr Lifecruiser, but it seems like either they’re on vacation too - or they’re full booked. I guess all summer guests are having problems from gardening and other work on their summer houses.

In the end our landlord, the farmer Per, remembered that he know some one that is a naprapath and quite nearby too, so we went to his home and luckily he was there and didn’t mind. He treated Mr L on his livingroom table (!) as the nice guy he is. Some pulls and tosses and Mr L got better - not only in his back, but also in his neck.

Mr Lifecruiser knows his father since the tennis competitions, Fårö Open in the past. Yes, Mr Lifecruiser has participated in them earlier and even won some prizes. It was a long time ago, before his knees went bad. That’s why he started to play golf actually.

So now Mr Lifecruiser is recommended to do my McKenzie exercises that always have helped me in my own back crisis and he is eating my medications and wearing a warm wheat cushion on his back.

He is going to the naprapath tomorrow afternoon again and maybe he will be fit for fight for the golf competition on Monday, if everything goes well! Phew!

Yesterday we went down to Visby again, together with Per. We thought he needed a break from all the work he always has on the farm, so we took him with us to have a look at the big ships that is visiting Visby harbor this week.

In my next post I’ll write something about the ships and try to show you some photos, so stay tuned!

Since I wrote the last time, we’ve been to Visby, the main town at the island Gotland, the island just below Fårö where we are staying this month. I promised you photos, but don’t have many photos from Visby, because my camera phone memory card seems to have some problems. Arrggh!

When we were going there is was pouring rain (the sky opened!), so I didn’t take my digital camera with me because I didn’t believe that it would be possible to take any photos, but I should have known… The weather changes quickly, so we had sun while being there.

There is not many stores to shop things at our summer islands, so if you need something special, you have to go to Visby. I did buy a cool dress and a shirt there, but haven’t been able to wear it yet, because it has been a bit cold. No summer weather exactly.

We did go to Visby because we needed a cupboard to the kitchen, but didn’t find anything unfortunately. We need to place our fridge higher up to not break our backs more.

Mr Lifecruiser cracked his back yesterday - oh no, not again! Last year too, isn’t that “fun”? Nothing during the whole year but now again. Typical. He get by with heating pads and hanging himself (!) in a ladder at the barn at the farm we’re staying. We couldn’t even get to the store for some grocery shopping, but he is a bit better today lucky enough.

He is supposed to play in a golf competition Monday, Fårö Masters, a competition he once started, so now he is worried that he won’t be able to play. Last year he had damaged his ribs and were unable to play…

We tried to get hold of a chiropractor in Fårösund, but unfortunately he too is on vacation. Then we tried another one that practice Shiatsu down in Valleviken, but she haven’t answered on her phone yet. We’ll see what happens.

I’ve been oiling our garden table and our stairs to our cottage today, that’s the only thrilling thing that has happened here. *giggles*

Today it’s a bit warmer than before and this evening the sun has been shining, so maybe it’s a good sign for tomorrow. Let’s hope so. I want to use my summer clothes and get out of those jeans - even if they are very cool - brand Desigual which I bought in Spain.

The Sudersand beach is laying there waiting for us:

Oh, yes, we’ve been sitting outside only one evening since we arrived, chatting with our neighbors here at the farm. Funny how familiar they all are at once, even though it passes a year in between our meetings!

We’re eating at Strandskogens café today again, Selene’s and Paco’s dishes are too delicious to resist. Today we tasted their home made Andalucian Gazpacho (YUM!) before our main meals, I ate a salad with sheep cheese, beans and olives and Mr Lifecruiser had a Lasagna with salad at the side.

See some of our photos so far here:

Lifecruiser’s photos from the Gotland Ferry.
Lifecruisers photos from Visby (2 so far but will increase later).
Lifecruisers photos from Fårö (will also increase later).

No, we did go to our summer paradise island Fårö, in the north tip of the island Gotland outside Swedens east coast. We use to be here at least 4 weeks and so even this time. The whole July month we’ll be enjoying this fantastic island.

We claim it to be Swedens most beautiful place. It definitely has Sweden best beaches. The sand quality is outstanding, very hard to beat. We have not found this kind of fine sand even abroad in warmer countries. Yes, you’re gonna here me nag about this for many years ahead! *giggles*

Strange enough, on the ferry from Nynäshamn to Visby, the main city at the island Gotland, there were unusual few passaengers, only 540. None of us has expereinced that before and Mr Lifecruiser has gone here about the same date every summer for 30 years!

Have the tourists deserted Gotland - or are they coming over here later on? The weather has been bad in the whole Sweden for the last years, maybe Swedes choose a more certain sun destination somewhere else this year, where the climate is better? We’ll see later on.

The night before our departure, we only had about 3-3,5 hours of sleep. Why? Because we always start packing too late. We’re totally hopeless…

That’s why I haven’t written anything yet. We got here early Thursday and started cleaning the place up and when we were ready with that we kind’a crashed. We slept for 12 hours.

Friday we went shopping for some necessitys and just had a relaxed evening at home. We did drive around a bit to see if everything were the same - and almost. Some minor changes around the island, but not much. Some of our places for evening pleasures has closed though.

Today we’ve just been out in the sun relaxing, enjoying the sun even though it has been very windy. The summer warmth will come though.

Now, we’re at the Strandskogens café, our favorite. We were very pleased to meet our friends, Selene and Paco who runs this café - and to eat Selenes excellent dishes again! We had here home made potatoes and onion soup with truffle oil with homebaked bread. YUMMY x millions!

No photos yet, we’re in a hurry since they’re closing the café now, where we have wireless connection for free.

We had very thrilling news before leaving home - Claudie invited us to France next summer in August and we accepted with big pleasure!

That will be next years highest enjoyment for sure. We’ll meet up with some of the other cruisers, Tor and Anna plus and Renny and Diane.

Have fun in you summer paradise, where ever you are

At Tripwolf there are friendly trip gurus (like myself) for over 100 cities who can advise and recommend destinations or attractions of interests.

Tripwolfs admirable vision is to be the leading Web 2.0 travel guide, with a focus on Europe - for travelers going to Europe as well as Europeans traveling outside.

One of the things that appeals the most to me is that it both professional editorial travel content as well as user generated content with experiences from thousands of travelers worldwide.

In Tripwolf travelers can generate their own customized travel guide based on their own individual preferences combined with recommendations from friends and trip gurus, which makes this really awesome. What could be better than information about places and destinations directly from fellow travelers that already has been there?

I simply love that you can create your own travel guide by using the drag and drop feature into your scrap book, which you can download in a PDF-format and print out. Very handy to take with you on the trip.

They have several hundred thousands points of interests from content partners to enrich their information and soon travelers will also be able to book their trips through Tripwolf.

For you that use Facebook there is a possibility to log in with your Facebook account and invite friends with your Gmail, Yahoo!, Orkut, and Linkedin accounts.

(Click on the picture to see it large in Flickr)

When I first registrered and logged into Tripwolf, I instantly liked it. Besides the cool features and the fact that I could become a guru for the first time in my life (lol), I find the design very modern and appealing too.

I’ve been to many other travel sites, some good and some really crappy and I’ll not compare them in this post, because I want you too make your own opinion without me leading you to any conclusion.

Besides that, we’re so many travelers in this big world that I believe that there is a need of different travel sites, so no need to exclude the others just because a new one has launched.

For us users, it’s always a good thing with some competition to keep them alert, right?

I’m planning to become more active there after our trip to our summer paradise island, which is tomorrow! We’re leaving home early Thursday morning and will be posting from there during our stay there.

Just go there and register to check it up for yourself: Tripwolf social travel guide.

If you do register, look me up: Lifecruiser at Tripwolf and we’ll share travel experiences!

I’m not surprised. Google Maps has satellite pictures from all over the world and what could be more natural than to start using them in such an useful way?

For most of the places the quality of the maps are really good and of course it will improves to be even better with the time. I love the fact that I can see where I’m going, more truthfully than having to trust photos at the Charter companies own sites.

Personally, I’m surprised that I haven’t seen it everywhere else already. You can quickly get a picture of the place and it’s so easy to navigate between different countries and places there in.

It’s said that this is just the beginning in the cooperation, they’re going to develop it further. I’m looking forward to that!

Now I wonder if it will be possible to see people at the pool… or in the bar…. *giggles*

Click this link to test it: Ving Worldmap Master.

Best ships for couples, “From party ships to ultimate luxury, there’s a cruise for every twosome”. I want to go on a romantic cruise. There certainly are plenty of ships to choose between. If you’re considering to go, check out those cruise ships. Some day, I’ll go. Maybe at our 10th anniversary? Though I have to wait another 6 years for that… *bummer*

Cruising during hurricane season, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst when sailing the (rough) seas”. I’m not really that brave, since I were on a cruise in a storm and got really, really sea sick. Not quite so romantic, especially since we had only known each other for about 3 months… In that stadium, you really wish that you were dead

Don’t Get Stranded at the Airport. “Know Your Rights and How to Deal With the Airlines to Make for a Smoother Trip”. Considering the fact that only the Americans are expected to take more than 211 million air trips in the next three months (think about all the travel in the world!), there sure isn’t a bad thing to read this article with some useful tips.

Vibram FiveFingers Sprint. At first I thought it were a brilliant idea. Loved the thought of it. Then I got thinking and that made me wondering a lot about them. Running in these? Aren’t you supposed to have a lot of support for your feet in a runner shoe? And what about to travel in those? If you have the slightest problem with your back or knees that is not a shoe for you. I can understand it for climbing where you might use your toes too or other things like yoga maybe. And how about the feeling in it, does it breath properly or are my feet going to be hot in those? And what about friction, since it’s polyamide? I’m very easy getting shafed feet. See, I’m very curious if they work…

The craziest shoes from around the world. Now this is the real show fashion! I’d love to see creative shoes like this in the stores. After all, I once went to Milan in Italy just to buy shoes, so I easily could see myself traveling around the world to buy these kind of shoes! *giggles*

Sports bra saves hiker stranded in Alps. I might have to get a sports bra, never have thought of this way to have use for it…. *giggles*

The best one I’ve saved for the last, is one that Saboma sent to me, if you haven’t the time to visit the other links, you simply must read this one!

A bra’s Tale: Detour on a Daughter’s Trip Abroad. Wonderful story! I laughed out loud and it really did make my day. It’s a pity she hasn’t kept the bra, I would have loved to see it!

Wordless Wednesday

This is one of the doors at the Vadstena Castle where we were celebrating Midsummer Eve, the 20th of June.

What to say? Is it me that is way too tall or is it the door that is way too short? *giggles*

The roadtrip for 4 days this passed weekend when we managed to take 1006 photos. That can make you wordless too!

We’ll see how many is left when I’m done with the sorting….

Wordless Wednesday

I suspect that my regular cruisers probably have figured this out already. My interpretation of the word freedom. FreeDom. I worShip FreeDom.

So what’s missing in this photo…?