Out on a boat trip in Stockholm Archipelago

Tuesday 4th August 09 we decided to go out on a boat trip around Stockholm water. It was a beautiful sunny day. We drove to Lidingö where the boat was laying.
Lidingö is an island in the inner Stockholm archipelago, north east of central Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
A friend of Peter who own the boat was away to Nice, France for a week and he have given us the boat to use at any time we wanted to.
Before we left home, I prepared some food for us to BBQ when we find a nice land to anchor.
Elrener, Veldiner and myself took a pill each to avoid the sea sick feeling. It helps. Many time, I felt sea sick on a boat but the pill really help us to get use to the water wavy movement.




We just arrived and the children are waiting while Peter prepares to get the boat started.




Peter taking off the cover on the boat.



Gabriel sat beside daddy on the front seat which he claims to be daddy co pilot.



Veldiner is pointing at different places we saw along the way. It felt so beautiful to be surrounded by water and many other sizes of boat.



One of them is the beautiful water fountain, next to a big Cinderella Cruise ship passing by.


Stockholm’s closest archipelago island has a lot to offer 25 minutes from the city! The island Fjäderholmarna is where most people go for their day trip with a boat for lunch, sun bathing, walking around to different tourist attraction.
There is also a variety of restaurants serving traditional Swedish food such as Fjäderholmarnas Krog and Rökeriet.





A place we saw where all the sailing boat are. Amazingly beautiful when we saw the sail are set out to go.




Finally after the bumpy open sea, we arrived on a calm and steady water which lead us right to the city.




Elrener decided to take over from her dad since it has slow down a little and start steering the boat.




Dad with Veldiner and Gabriel.


Me... I am much more relax now. Was a bit tensed at the beginning but felt so much comfortable after a while.






Finally after a long steady greenery ride, we arrived right in the middle of the city. Surrounded by boat restaurant, cafe and bars by the water.


This area is called Östermalm and it is a wealthy area of Stockholm city, having the highest housing prices in Sweden.


This is the view of the Tivoli, Gröna Lund from the water where we went to couple of times this summer.





I tried for a while to steer the boat as I was never afraid of water once before and I used to love jet ski, water ski and have tried cannoning once before in an open sea. Probably I felt that I am in control when I can get to touch and move the speed myself. So I gave it a short try before Peter takes over in an open sea again.







This big sailing boat is actually a Permanent Hostel. It doesn't sail around. Seens lots of group tours normally stayed in this hostel.


One of the many Swedish King Castle here which is in the Old Town in the Main City of Stockholm.


Vel stood almost all the way. Doesn't really enjoy sitting especially. Towards the end she finally sat for a while.



Love the view. A tall long water spray pillar and you look closer a statue right on top of the water pillar. A restaurant behind it with full of people and a new apartment. What a view to be living in that apartment.




Gabriel doing his eeemmmmmm emmmmmm emmmmm emmmmmm emmmmm emmmmm emmmmmmmm emmmmm



Look at the speed up and water behind the boat splashing. Cool.


I am much much relaxed now. No worries...... Enjoyed the breeze...



Since the boat is moving slowly, Vel and Gabriel climb to the front and sat there instead. This is where she took the photo from that angle.




Here they are. Gabriel and Vel climbed from inside where a small window is open to creep out to the front.



We passed by Saltssjöbaden where Anne Lies was buried. It was so beautiful grave right next to the water which has peaceful and greenery surrounding.






Everyone are hungry and Peter is driving around to find a nice place where we can anchor our boat and get to the land for a BBQ.


Finally we found a rocky land but we can anchor and stop for grilling. Peter tied the boat to a tree and we climb down to prepare for the grilling. Peter started the fire and we start the grilling not long after.








All waiting looking and hungry.


Gabriel get his first bite of the chicken that is ready.


More grilling and the kids get to eat first each time any of the stick or chicken are ready. It was too much that we end up throwing away 2 big sticks in the end. After the food, we clean up and start driving back home.

This time Gabriel get to try even though he is small and not able to see what is in front but with the help of his dad he feel proud that he did drove a boat.


Daddy has to keep a look out carefully as the speed is picking up and with Gabriel who is just staring at the steering wheel and no where else is not easy.



Everyone are tired on our way back. We spent almost 5 hrs on the boat and with the stomach filled up with food and combination of fresh air makes us more weak. We were much more quieter on the way back.

Fishing

Peter took Gabriel out for a fishing in front of our apartment for the first time. Convenience especially we do not have to drive far away or walk before we can find a place to fish.



Taught him how to throw the fishing rod an roll back slowly. He likes the throwing part and rolling it back.


Changing a bigger and slightly heavier bait as it is too light for Gabriel and it will not throw far enough.


Now he throw better but everyone has to stay away.
My bait was stuck with a heavy black bag which Peter managed to pulled it up for me. We found a big rock inside. ahhh.. why not diamond instead. lol..



Though we do not catch any fish, but lots and lots of sea weed which were struck in our bait when we pulled it up. At least Gabriel felt happy to be able to try fishing. The next day we went fishing again but we drove 5 mins away from home.

Still no fish. I know fishing needs lots of patience.

Friends Came for Summer Holiday in Stockholm

During the month of June to July we have couple of guests visiting here in Stockholm. It is always nice in the summer where 80% of the weather normally will be prefect sunny and we are able to do lots of outdoor activities coming along all the time.


Here are ladies guest.
To the Left> Anna Ankarlou, Zain Haddad and Myself.
In this photo, Zain has just arrived to Stockholm couple of hrs ago and had slept for few hrs before we took them out for dinner at TGIFriday.


The men side.
Left> Peter Törnquist, Per Ankarlou and Raed Qudsi
Taken on our the roof top terrace during BBQ dinner for social gathering with nice view and big space.



Jonas, Walter and his wife Lilit join us for a BBQ that night.



Us with my son, Gabriel by the side.


Dont really know what to wear that night. Bought this dress about a year ago and had not been using it. Anna saw it and asked me to put it on.



We went for a drink in Berns after dinner at our place. Since we were big groups around 12 people that night, we have not so much choice of a place to choose from as lots of places will be full. Berns is a nice night out place somehow negative side is can be tiring as no seat all standing. After 11 the music gets louder and louder plus no more talking just noise and crowded.



This is one of Peter friend's who are with us that night, Magnus. He just lost his wife and I had a posting of her funeral earlier in my blog.

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Few days later Dag Harald came with his wife and 3 children from Norway. They have been on a 3 weeks holiday somewhere in the eastern country and before they head home back to Norway they stop by Sweden and visit our family.



Again that night we did another BBQ but this time by the water next to our apartment and not on our roof top terrace. The Swedish love to BBQ in the summer. As for me it is easy as I do not have to stand in the kitchen to cook.

Somehow Siriphan, wife to Dag Harald taught me how to make Thai Chili Dip best for grilling. It is really hot and excellent.

If you like to try here are the recipe, simple and easy but really burning damn hot.

20 Small Thai Chili ( Cili Padi) Depending for how many person as we are many that night but only 4 of us who ate that chili dip.
2 Garlic
2 teaspoon sugar
2 lime
Many dash of Fish Sauce.

Pound the small cili, garlic and sugar.
When it's done squeeze the lime and splash fish sauce.

Done easy.

Gröna Lund, Tivoli Stockholm

This is called the ladybug roller coaster for small children. Parents are allowed to accompanying their children on this ride. Probably I choose this one particular photo which was taken by my friend ...... to be in as to prove I am not a carousel type of person. I don't fancy the speed, the height and obviously I believe that I cannot control myself in such situation. My heart beats so fast each time it moves up and down. Of course I was the only adult shouted loudly more than any children on this ride.



Gabriel love the different types of carousel ride. One of them is the free fall. Most children are screaming when it drop down fast and yet they smile and wanted more when it is over.





The Ghost House.

It may not look as scary from the outside but it is scary from the inside. I remember probably 9 years ago we went inside, Vel was screaming and crying and hugging Peter so tight. I was running here and there trying to escape and find my way out fast.



Here comes the, "Gabriel the Mini Ghost". No he did not try this as I do not want him to have nightmare and unable to sleep at night but in a few years when he is a little bit older, yes I would allowed him to go inside.


Thinking to myself, If I do scream on a children mini roller coaster,I guess I will scream and cry on this ride, probably fainted. It looks fun though but the speed and seeing the seat being thrown left to right plus moving up and down, I am so sure that I am better being on the ground watching.




Throwing the ball into the bin is not that easy especially you have to collect few hundred balls in a short time.


The flower on their neck was what they got from the game. It is just a small symbolic for children who played and did not scored anything.




Few days later we went again to Gröna Lund. Basically the children enjoyed it most to being there. This time we were 8 adult and 5 children.



Even a horse like this who doesn't move and cannot do much attract the children so much to climb up and down.


Vel and me trying to win some big kilo of goodies. Here I am digging for 25 SEK a spin of game.



The spinning of tea cup. I wonder why those people don't get giddy. Just by watching how fast it move and turn I dont get myself picture inside those giant cup.


Cute little Sandra trying to hug Gabriel. Gabriel is always shy and trying to get away from being hug by any girls and his dad always teases him that when he turn 16 he would be the one running and after those girls for a hug by then.


From top left: Vel, Gabriel, Sandra, Theresa, Anita and little small corner left on the pram is a cute little Mikael.


They found another type of free fall for children but this one goes up and down repeatedly. Gabriel said this is more scary than the first free fall but he went on twice.



Look at their faces. I love it and I am so lucky to get this very good shot of the kids. To take a closer look click on the photo.



Left: Gabriel
From Right: Sandra and next to her is Anita.

Therese cried as she has to be 1 meter to take this ride and she did not manage to get on this ride. Brave kids we have here unlike me who was called the Chicken.

Singaporean Laksa Recipe

I called it Laksa Lemak. My children love it and I have to cook and eat Laksa at least once a month.

We don't have the luxury like in Singapore where we can just go down to the coffee shop and find variety of noodle to eat. Each time the kids and I are craving for something, I would go to the Asian Market nearby and buy all the ingredients and start cooking myself.

I had this one of my many cooking posted on my blog as Veldiner would like to have the recipe for her someday if she have to cook them by herself.

The blended paste into a pan with little oil.

 Ready to serve.

Recipe

Ingredient A
2 slice of white fish fillet. (Either steam it OR I did a faster way rub them with salt and into the microwave between 5 to 8 mins)
5 Shallot or 1 big white onion
4 garlic
1 thumb size of ginger
1 fresh red chili (Cannot put more than 1 as my children do not eat too spicy)
4 full tablespoon of Babas fish curry powder. ( I only love babas curry powder)

Ingredient B

Fish Ball
Fried Beancurd
Prawns (Boiled till it turn red and put aside on a plate)
Cockles (Optional)
Noodle (depending what type of noodle but in Asian store you can also find white Laksa noddle otherwise spaghetti noodle is great enough)
Bean sprout ( boiled hot water and once the water is boiled put the sprout for less than a mis and put them aside)
Cucumber (Slice thinly)
Vietnamese Mint (Chopped)
Coconut milk


Once the fish is well done, put all the ingredients A into a blender and blend well till becoming a paste.

Heat a pan with little oil and add in the blended paste for few mins.

Add in one can of coconut milk. (Usually I also add in the water from the boiling of prawns)

Next throw in fish ball and fried Bean curd.

Let the fish ball cooked and add in Salt to taste.

Serving

Place noodle in a bowl
Add in a handful of bean sprout
A handful of thinly slice cucumber
Cooked Prawns
Cooked Cockles(Optional)

Pour in Gravy with fish ball and Fried Bean curd.

Sprinkle Vietnamese Mint.

I love the topping of a big spoonful of sambal for my laksa. (Optional)

Done and enjoy.