National Museum

Today, Kat, Alvis and I visit the National Museum. The National Museum shows daily objects from Olden Sweden and also daily things used in Sweden today. There is also many art galleries. The down side is that most of explanations for the paintings were in Swedish and we were pretty clueless most of the time. However, I enjoyed viewing the paintings the most. There were many that I liked. There was one large painting of old Sweden that was very detailed and lively. And then there was one painting of some famous king being killed in war which I liked very much as well. But now I can’t remember who it is! I suck! Oh dear… Do I have to go back to the museum again? Anyone knows who or which painting I’m talking about? Too bad you can't take photos in the museum.


Kat by the sea.


Me in front of some castle. Still not clear about some buildings.


Alvis taking photos from the bridge.


View of the national museum from the bridge.

Okay, anyone who knows me well enough will know that I absolutely can’t stand birds. I’m quite terrified of them in fact. However, I shall post up this picture of this swan anyhow. There are a lot of ducks and swans swimming about in the sea. Not my favourite sight. But Kat absolutely loves the swans. She’s missed them a few times and today she’s finally able to go see them and take some photos.


Picture of a swan taken by Kat.

Latvian dinner and VCD night

Today, Alvis, Kat and I decide to do something exciting! Haha.. Alvis agrees to cook some Latvian dishes for me and Kat, since he has been saying that he can cook. Quote: I like cooking, cooking is like art. Yeah, so Kat and I shop around in T-centrelen for a bit, while Alvis goes home to get some stuff, most importantly, his aunt’s 40 year old recipe book. Talk about traditional Latvian food! Since Kat is vegetarian, we decide on Cauliflower with breadcrumbs and Potato Pancakes. Check it out!


A taste of cauliflower.


Starting top left: the potatoes, cauliflower and melted butter.


Cauliflower dish is a success!



Potato pancakes aren’t exactly what Alvis planned and he’s a little disappointed. He keeps reminding us, “This is not how its supposed to be, this is not Latvian potato pancakes” Yes, we understand you don’t want the reputation of Latvian cuisine to be tarnished under your hands. We think you did fine.


We have dinner finally and they watch this rather ridiculous show on Tv, called Jack-Ass. Dumb dudes challenge one another and play tricks on others. I’m rather offended by the show. The show is super obscene and pointless.

After dinner, we watch a movie which I totally cannot register, because I slept from beginning to end. I have no idea why I am so tired. I get a sms and I go home to find a surprise at my door. This is my first obvious sign. I have mixed feelings that night. Some things run through my head.

Kiruna

A weekend getaway to Kiruna. The 17 hour train ride there was pretty toturous, but Kiruna was well worth the gruelling travel time. This is the first time I have seen so much snow. Kiruna's scenery is breathtaking with frozen lakes, snow covered trees and just vast land covered in white. I'd have enjoyed the scenary a lot more if I wasn't freezing half the time though. My major highlight of the trip was dog sledding, the experience enhanced even more by the fact that we had to get down and dirty with the dogs, chaining them so that they could pee and bringing them up to be harnessed. It's a wonderful feeling being the driver of a sled with 5 dogs, breezing through 10 km of snow-covered forest with the cold wind in your face.


BBQ in the lappish Hut! We had pita bread, smoked reindeer meat, pork fillets and this heavenly cream sauce the guide made. Smack!



Us pigging out



What is left. Basically nothing...



Kiruna


dog sledding

From Singapore

After 3 days of adventure in Kiruna, I find two slips of paper to the ICA for me in my mailbox. Off I go to ICA excitedly, thinking that it's my DHL from home. I get another surprise instead. Especially since it's still a week to my birthday. You guys are way too efficient, but thank you. I open everything immediately. Haha...


Lizhen makes me a very sweet looking card and many people get around to signing the card. Plus I get the latest David Tao album from Lizhen, Yuai, Lixian, Elsen and Weilun. Yes! David Tao's songs are one of my favs.


Chris and Liyan send me a card with lots of words. Good.. I like reading notes. Plus I get a very cute Eeyore to accompany me in bed.