I landed in Stockholm Arlanda Airport after a brief one-hour flight from Vilnius, Lithuania. After spending the night in Jumbo Stay Hostel, I took a train to G�vle - a quiet town located two hours north of Stockholm, where my cousin Louise and her son Tyler now reside.
Getting around G�vle
It is an ease to get around G�vle thanks to its comprehensive public transportation network. Every bus here makes a stop at R�dhustorget, the town centre, and offers free WiFi onboard. Taxi services are also plenty and reliable.
For travelers who do not understand a word of Swedish like myself, taking a bus might be challenging. Signboards at bus stops (or in fact, anywhere else in town) are only in Swedish. It is advisable to have your destination written down in case you need to show it to the driver (who will then be kind enough to point you the exit where you are supposed to get off). Since many restaurants, hotels, and bars are located close to the central Stortorget square, walking can be an option as well.
A bread and jam stall in the middle of busy Stortorget
A variety of preserved fish which sold like hot cakes at the main square
Gamla Gefle
Over the last 300 years, three town fires had taken place in G�vle. A segment of the old town, located between the library and the museum, survived the fires and has been preserved until today as a historical reserve. This area is known as Gamla Gefle.
Gamla Gefle
Gavle�n
Gavle�n or the G�vle River is a watercourse in the eastern coast of Sweden which connects to the Bothnian Sea. It is a pleasurable and common sight to see families and couples frolic on the riverbanks and on one of the many piers along the water during summer.
Beautiful houses by the G�vle River
A family outing on a sunny day
At home in G�vle
My cousin Louise is the sweetest and the most thoughtful person. She has made my trip to G�vle felt like I was going home, rather than traveling in a foreign place. From each meal of the day to the places wed be touristing, she has had everything planned ahead of time. She even bought me return tickets to Stockholm! My trip to Europe, with Sweden being the last stop, ended so delightfully all thanks to her.
Louise and her son, Tyler
Tyler being cheeky
Cozy space
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle is a fleshy and aromatic mushroom that grows in the wild, fruiting almost all summer in the east. They come in golden apricot color and has a crisp and firm texture. Before cooking, chanterelles are usually cleaned domestically using a toothbrush to whisk away debris and unwanted surface materials under running water. To cook, these meaty mushrooms are then cut into generous chunks and the most common preparation is simply by sauteing them in butter. Optional but wise additions include half-and-half, chicken broth, and eggs. Chanterelles can be baked, and are able retain their flavors even after long cooking.
Pssst. Take a walk in IKEA Damansara and youll notice pictures of these mushrooms on the wall!
Simple and delicious sauteed golden chanterelle
Homemade dinner on a chilly evening
Strawberry picking at my cousins backyard
The next day, Louise surprised me with a Malaysian breakfast - roti canai, chicken curry, and tea - which we gleefully tucked into while sitting beneath the sun on her lawn.
Had roti canai in Sweden!
Dinner at Seris
Later that week, my cousin introduced me to her bff, Seri, who lives not far away. Just like her, Seri has a beautiful house furnished with tasteful interior. A Malaysian dinner was prepared, which we arrived just in time to feast.
Blessed!
G�vle is a lovely, picturesque destination with colorful wooden houses scattered throughout the town. I was lucky enough to see this part of Sweden thanks to the invitation by Louise. Cannot wait to be back!
Ending the post with pictures of the ever-photogenic Tyler:
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