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Saturday 27 June ~ Wednesday 1 July
Wow. I have been scuba diving in Sweden. Never thought I would challenge the colder waters (varying from 12 to 15 degrees celcius) for this hobby, no matter how much I like diving. Although I must admit I have seen prettier underwater locations in my diving 'career' I was pleasantly surprised with what I have seen so far. I met some lovely people in Grebbestad while diving with West Point divers. On the Saturday we were out on the boat all day with I think about 8 people (I think most of them came up from Göteborg), all of them divemasters or instructors except for my diving buddy Calle (I hope that's how you spell his name) and me, who are both Advanced divers. I thought it was quite hilarious they paired us up because Calle has very bad eyesight and I am of course deaf on one ear. The blind leading the deaf or vice versa. On Sunday morning I again got op early to undertake the 40 min drive from Strömstad (which is a lovely little seaside city by the way) to Grebbestad for another dive with 3 other people. It was great! Stayed under for almost 50 minutes with a 12-13 degree temperature at around 25 meters depth. I tell you, I was shivering at the end. After a lovely week at the Strömstad campsite, the next day I drove up to Göteborg and guess what, met up with Maria and Calle who I met on Saturday and went diving again from the island Tjörn (Kårevik). This time the visibility was worse than expected but I had fun anyway. Maria and Calle had arranged for some rental gear and carried it all the way down the shore…thanks guys! We had a bbq after and it was simply a great afternoon/evening. Good times!
The past two days I have spent wandering about Göteborg. I especially love the old districts like Haga and Linnéstaden with its cobbled streets and little shops and cafes. I don't necessarily need to rush from one tourist attraction to the other. When I asked directions from one lady on the street, she asked 'are you looking for anything in particular?'. My answer: 'No, I just want to breathe the city atmosphere.' She smiled and told me about the nicest streets to walk through to breathe in her city's atmosphere and we chatted for a couple of minutes. I think that's how I have spent most of these two days. Chatting away to people in stores, artists and gallery staff, strolling around back streets, getting inspiration from art that was quite impressive. And always leaving with one more note in my list on 'must-sees' on my trip.
Part of the fun time here was to visit with some friends here, Miriam and Markus and their baby girl Edith. We de-virginised my little bbq (Markus was quite helpful in almost setting the place on fire ;oP) and I ate too much meat, which you always do when bbq-ing. Today we met again and spent out time being lazy and chatting, while overlooking a lake about 10 mins. walk from my current campsite.
[Last night I got treated to whiskey and beer by my German neighbours (did you hear me complain???) and for the first time this holiday I went to bed after 00.00…ay ay.]
Well, all good things come to an end, although that is not an appropriate saying in this case, as there is more good stuff to come, I'm sure! Off to the big lakes between Göteborg and Stockholm. The exact location where I will land is yet undecided.
(More pics to follow, by the way.)
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