Rica Karlstad

... on the way but the lack of sunlight made packing up the tent slow because I didn't want to put it away wet. The inside of the van got the once over with my new cigarette lighter plug in vacuum cleaner (which incidently couldn't suck the flour off a crepe)! As well as cleaning the van the trip has been a fantastic opportunity to finish all of those chores on the van that haven't been possible since Jasper arrived. I've nearly got the trims back on the new roof windows that were ...

... we have been to and driven past. I lost as per usual!

So some things about Sweden:

* Where do you find full strength beer? They only sell a maximum of 3.5% at the supermarkets. I think we will need to check out the state run alcohol shops - System Bolaget, set up to minimise drinking - LOL
* Roads here are as expected well maintained and great for cruising
* Swedes seem to be ...

... the sea level was 25 metres higher than it is today. Some of the scenes show what could be trading, relgious beliefs, gods of nordic mythology, the list goes on. As Kenny said they have been painted red to show us the strength of the carving but may or may not have been painted. Being painted makes it seem quite surreal, like we are not witnessing the originals but I can see why they have chosen to paint them as they are so clear and distinct. Again there was only one other ...

... for over 50mi through the Varmland. It puts the Burke Gilman to shame, but we remind ourselves that it’s probably covered in snow for half the year. Johan took us out on some "classic" cycles with brakes in the pedals for a tour of the area. We also visited the town of Karlstad where he works. We visited the local park which has lots of great features including a nature center. Stopher smelled the beaver (according to the sign), while we ...

For the past two nights I have been staying in Karlstad, about an hour by bus from Kristinehamn where I was camping. While here though I have been staying at a youth hostel close to the town centre. It was quite a sterile and empty place, and was obviously some kind of prison or military barracks in past days. The guy that runs the place must have been left over from those times as well. I'm wondering where all the tourists and happy holiday makers have gone, obviously it's back ...

... go out in a minute to watch them do hot laps shortly. I really am quite relieved to have found somewhere affordable again. I will be going back to Norway, but I think I will be travelling through it pretty quickly. I am quite tired of travelling at the moment and am missing home and friends and family a bit, but I know there is so much more to see and do ahead! until next time, -mike

Since i'm new to this kind of things so lets see how this ends up:) Right now i'm not out travelling, i'm sitting in my parents flat in central Karlstad where I just found this blog while playing Traveler IQ Challange on facebook, so i thought, what have i got to lose? Travelling is a big part of my life and so far i have seen very much, but there is still very much ...

19 minutes past midnight and we are leaving Karlstad by a bus that is taking us to Örebro, where we'll change to another bus that will take us to Stockholm Skavsta Airport in Nyköping. In about 17 hours we'll hopefully be in Innsbruck in some pub or fan-area where we can view the game between Sweden and Spain.

... to look out the window. Julius watched movies and Sara barreled through "The Kite Runner" a very well written book that helped make up for reading the da Vinci Code right before leaving - a entertaining but (lets face it) poorly written book. At least it has been read so when people ask if we have read it we can say "yes" and not look like some hermit. Arriving in Sweden we hit the airport ATM and withdrew a bunch of cash ...

... was a treat even though it was totally gimmicky. The Ice Bar is located in a Hotel and it is simply a freezer room with a bar counter, tables and ice carvings made of ice from the frozen waters of the river Torne in Sweden. The temperature is -5 degrees Celsius in there and you have to wear a eskimoish suit and gloves to protect yourself from the cold. Entrance fee was 125Kr and you are only allowed a maximum of 45 minutes in there. While waiting for our ...