Faluröd

One thing I really enjoyed while I was in Sweden is the amazing red colour that lots of old houses and barns are painted with. Apparently this colour is called "Faluröd".... All I know is that it really stands out against a background of evergreen trees as you drive across the Swedish countryside.

Here are some nice examples of this colour from across the 'net:

Essentials - Kånken

Kånken. My ever trusty companion when I go to class. Whether it's carrying heavy theology books, or just a few Field Notes notebooks, it does it all. The difference is this: it does it all while still looking cool,  unlike most bulky backpacks, knapsacks, rucksacks (whatever you want to call them) do today. I love the minimalist look to these things, and I also love that they haven't changed their looks since their creation in 1978. And seriously, these are durable - nearly impossible to tear! www.kånken.se

Essentials

Nudie Tight Long John's... Especially after they've been broken in a bit. I go for the raw denim - makes for an awesome look when they start to fade. So comfortable, and best not worn too tight. 

Buy Here

These Glory Days

Really impressed with this brand, These Glory Days. They're from Sweden and when I was there I managed to pick up a few shirts and a pair of chinos by them. It's quality stuff and the fit is nearly perfect on everything I've tried. So nice to see a relatively smaller label putting such hard work into their clothes.

Last Night

My last night spent in Sweden was a good one. I just relaxed with my girlfriend, her brother and his (newly wed) wife... We headed downtown Västerås for a little festival fun - got to see Daniel Adams-Ray perform, enjoyed the atmosphere of Summer and laughed our heads off on some lean-to carnival rides.

After a stop for some roasted almonds from a street vendor we all headed home... Even though the night was full of good times and light-hearted, summer style living, it ended with morning beckoning me back to reality in Australia.

But what a perfect way to end my time in Sweden...

People in balls on the water..

roasted almonds, the flavour of festival

Stockholm Snaps 2

A few more images from my days in Stockholm: 

Nicest place to sleep in Stockholm

Stockholm Snaps 1

Some photos from a day in Stockholm:

Stockholm Station provides a nice welcome to its beautiful city

Big shopping center: NK

Parliament

Royal Castle

Anundshög

Just about five minutes into the countryside around Västerås, there is an ancient Viking burial site. It's called "Annundshög" and there are a bunch of old Swedish kings buried there... The graves are all set up to form the shape of Viking longboats (as can be seen above), but one king was buried and then covered with a huge mound of dirt. This king must have been special to have so much dirt piled on top of him (kind of ironic) and it's pretty awesome to look at today.

There's really something special about standing on such an ancient site... It kind of makes me feel small in the entire scope of history.

Västerås

My view from a nice café:

 Sweden is beautiful...