Travel mate Des A. will be the designated tour guide again and take me around the second nation of our Scandinavian tour -- Sweden. It will be another "as far as your feet can take you" sight-seeing. Of course, she knew what I preferred even before I asked for it.

I like Copenhagen. Will I be back soon? Honestly, no urge.

Maybe, Denmark was sad to see us leave because it was raining the day we left, but it made sure there was one more thing to show to remember her by-the farewell note was a good-looking local seated beside us. LOL.

Stockholm in Sweden, the next destination, didn't want to be outdone. It welcomed us with a much better sight-an airport hand that gave proof to a lingering question: Are the Swedish the perfect specimen on the planet?

On film, they always bag the roles that catch the viewers' attention. They are either cast as the mean and chic in suits antagonists or the best vampire roles with the waxy, pore-less skin, tall and lean, blond hair that pairs well with blue or green eyes.

Based on the city's opening act, it was a positive answer.

Actress Brick Ekland, among many other local Swedish celebrities, greeted everyone along the in the Arlanda airport arrival area, at least via the artworks of the museum-like hallway. The series was a nice conversation piece that elicits comments like, "I didn't know he was Swedish," or shrieks like, "Oh my God, Abba!" Then you hear Dancing Queen tune sang from somewhere.

Stockholm airport is a nice space-white and sleek with pops of colors, very modern, with a very busy, well-equipped library or bookstore vibe with all the tourism materials neatly and strategically displayed across the hall.

The information desks resemble that of a hotel concierge's and manned by locals who are as efficient, knowledgeable and helpful in the service they extend. Maybe that Danish man at the airport should work here and learn.

In terms of tourism materials, I can liken the efforts to Bangkok's. Information about the city is easily within reach. Sweden, though, offers a more modern feature with its interactive computers.

With train tickets on hand (bought via the vending machine), we hopped on the next train to the city center, got off our stop at the Normalm district and took the Radmansgatan exit. A couple of blocks on foot later, we found our home for this adventure-the Hotel Birger Jarl.

Hotel Birger Jarl is at Tulegatan 8, City Center - Norrmalm, Stockholm, Sweden. Visit their website at www.birgerjarl.se

For good deals on this hotel, visit the Agoda website athttp://www.agoda.com/hotel-birger-jarl/hotel/stockholm-se.html

For more travel and lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on May 20, 2015.

If you plan to enter Rosenborg Castle, then I suggest you allot a few hours on your schedule to fully enjoy the tour of the renaissance castle turned museum of royal artifacts. It holds a collection of articles, some of which belonged to the nobility and the aristocracy, spanning 300 years from King Frederik II in the late 16th century to King Frederik VII in the 19th century.

King Christian VI's room with tapestries displaying the life of Alexander the Great.

A 3D image of a royalty carved from ivory & garbed in hand-woven finery.

This is just one wall of the Porcelain Room.

The castle, when it was built, was intended to be a summerhouse that’s closer to the city, one of the architectural projects of Christian IV. It had the typical Dutch Renaissance style of the period. After it was erected in 1606, it underwent expansions -- first in 1613, doubling the length and size of the summerhouse, and in 1616 when the Long Hall was added as an extra story to the building and a few more additions -- until evolving into its present look by 1624. The changes turned the original little summer residence into a fashionable and comfortable residence for the Royal Family and household.

The Rosenborg Castle underwent renovations, which included the addition of the third level where the Long Hall is.

Until 1710, it was royal residence to the Danish regents. Twice, the Rosenborg castle was used as royal residence after the reign of Frederik IV, and both times during a crisis—in 1794 after Christianborg Palace burned down and in 1801 when the British attacked Copenhagen.

A seat fit for a King. An elaborately embellished saddle for royalty.

Detail of the saddle.

Games of war Kings & Knights "play"

Royalty's rifle. Luxurious.

In 1838, the castle was opened to the public.

The ground floor hall

The regal loo

The Rosenborg collection is opulent -- luxuriously embellished household items displayed in richly festooned rooms. The compact size of the castle made it ideal to admire the collection at a closer distance.

One of the many elaborate crystal chandeliers in the castle

How precious is time?

The table clock in detail. Hand carved ivory statuettes as adornment.

Music must be sweeter with this mother-of-pearl laden stringed instrument.

Decorative art

A story on alabaster

This is one of many. Cameo encrusted bowl.

The most important and most visited room in the castle would be the 1624-completed Long Hall on the third level. It was the ballroom for banquets and the Royal Reception Room in the 1700s and the Knight’s Hall in the later part of the 19th century.

The Long Hall, decorated with fine art depicting significant times in Danish history, is also known as the Royal Reception Room & the Knight’s Hall.

The Long Hall is the most visited chamber in the castle in the past.

Inside this hall are a large collection of (mostly) 17th century silver furniture, 12 tapestries on the wall depicting the King’s victories in the Scanian War, the 18th century stucco ceiling showing the Danish Coat of Arms along with reliefs depicting historical events from the reign of Frederik IV, frescoes representing the Regalia, and its main attraction -- the Throne Chair of Denmark aka the coronation chair of the absolutist kings and the throne of the queens with the three silver lions positioned in front.

The Throne Chair of Denmark, the queen’s throne and the silver lions are the highlights of the Long Hall.

Most interesting is the exhibition of the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia. The magnificent royal jewelry collections take the spotlight in this dimly lit room in Rosenborg Castle Treasury, in the castle’s cellar.

Don't miss this area in the castle visit.

You might miss the treasury entrance, but this one you will definitely notice.

These crowns, the highlight of the royal jewelry collection exhibit in the Royal Treasury.

Of course, I have to have a photo with these Danish beauties.

Crowns that distinguish the royalties positions in the monarchy.

The scepter of royalty

Each according to its function.

My choice to wear for Sunday mass. (semi-casual lang)

My personal favorites.

Amazing craftsmanship on this piece.

Rosenborg Slot -- Rosenborg Castle and The Royal Danish Collections (Crown Jewellery & Treasury), is at Øster Voldgade 4, 1350 Copenhagen K. Train/Metro: Nørreport


For more travel and lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on May 14, 2015.