What an adventure I have been on this time! I decided to travel a little further than usual, and eventually ended up on the beautiful island of Oaxen, in the midst of the inlet that leads towards Södertälje. The closest city to Stockholm in the south.
Now, the island of Oaxen itself is strikingly beautiful like most of the archipelagic islands in and around Stockholm. What sets Oaxen apart from the rest is without a doubt the incredible restaurant that one can find here. This rather upscale place was opened in 1994, and has actually been awarded for being the best restaurant in all of Sweden for the past three years! An international magazine recently placed Restaurant Oaxen at nr. 39 on a list of the world’s 50 best restaurants. With that said, I take it it comes without saying that the food is good. Seeing as I rarely set my foot, I mean, lay anchor… inside these places very often, I can only really recommend that one goes ahead with trying the tasting menu. The most expensive choice by far, but at least you won’t have missed out on anything. Another thing not to miss out on, except if you go there by boat yourself, is the accommodation available on board the M/S Stjernorp. Originally a steamboat built in 1870, the ship today serves as a hotel, rocking all the full-up guests to sleep.
What are you waiting for?
Puff Puffy
Eating, Archipelago and Oaxen 18 Comments
The islands that together comprise Fjäderholmarna (The Bay Islands) are easily reached by a mere 25-minute boat ride from the city centre. The islands have quite an intriguing part of Stockholm history, being first mentioned in an official document back in 1381 when a Swedish viceroy bought one of them. Since then, the group of islands have been both inhabited, as well as uninhabited. Having been in possession of both the Swedish navy as well as regular Stockholmers who were simply living their lives there. The main island, Fjäderholmen, once had a restaurant that could hold 550 guests! Although always an important position along the vital sea route to the city, these islands are today part of the unique national park of Stockholm and have therefore become a popular tourist destination for anyone who enjoys a nice sight. I went out and wandered along the historic buildings and inspected everything, including museums, cafés, restaurants, the marina, and also a wide variety of craftsmen and women who ply their trade according to historic fashion. Head on out to Fjäderholmarna for a nice day in Stockholm’s closest archipelagic islands! Find out more 
Lately I have ventured around the proximity of the central parts of town. Safe and sound upon the sea that is. The other day I enjoyed a nice ride up along the northeast coastline, passing Djurgården, then under the bridge by Lidingö, before going slightly inwards west - and eventually ending up at the beautiful scenery of Bockholmen. Here I lay anchor and sat down in the nice sunshine, before ordering a man-sized brunch. I occasionally dream of these culinary encounters I must confess, and this was right up there on the seven seas. With no time to waste, I got back out on the open sea and headed back south. Passing by all the other sailors and performing the customary wave that we acknowledge each other with I in due course found myself on the southern coastline of the Stockholm inlet. Feeling strangely famished I decided to sit down at the lovely 
I have been very busy crusin´ the islands all weekend long. It is exhausting with all the sun and wind beating at your face, let me tell you! But that’s the price one must pay to enjoy one of the most amazing and undisturbed natural landscapes that our dear earth has to offer. Oh sacrifices. Anyway, I went all the way out to Sandhamn, a bit early in the season maybe, but nevertheless. This is where all the cool city people relocate in the summertime to party. It can be quite a vibrant and active little harbour during the summer to be honest! This time I just strolled around the harbour and enjoyed the weather. It’s nice to go out here in the mornings, before all the people wake up, just to have that first ice cream of the day in relaxing solitude, ah! I also spent an afternoon on Dalarö, here you can rent canoes and kayaks if you happen to be of the more active type. I on the other hand decided to treat myself to some lovely seafood in one of the cosy restaurants before heading home in the sunset.
Some people get on these ferries to party, some use them as transport for wherever they’re going, and some just like a nice day out at sea. I for one enjoy the entertainment found on several of these trips. Sometimes there’s the culinary experience at sea, like the different Swedish tradition of “Räkfrossa”. Slightly difficult to translate, but it more or less means shrimp-guzzling. Lots of people board, eat a wonderful seafood buffet, and drink snaps. Then there’s the music. If you’re lucky, you might end up on a boat with a nice jazz band, or some other pleasant music to take you through the archipelago. I however prefer the karaoke theme. I’ll take on anything with a microphone while standing there in the limelight. Be it Barry Manilow, or even Beyoncé Knowles – it all brings back nice memories of singing and dancing in Stockholm The Musical.
You see, there’s not much that beats breaking the waves on an old-fashioned steamboat prior to the perceived “season”. When the ice has melted, and the vegetation begins to blossom on every little islet, having the archipelago all to yourself is among the best things in life. Well, in my life that is. I eventually got off at Vaxholm, not too far out and an easy start to my archipelagic adventures of this year. The seaside town on the outskirts of Stockholm was bustling with weekend activity and people enjoying the sun. The old harbour and city has a history from the 16th century, and the main fortress guarding the seaward entrance to the city of Stockholm was in it’s current shape finished in 1863. I took some time to wander around the harbour, enjoyed an ice cream in the sun, and then I went back home. Next time I’ll be travelling much further into the Stockholm archipelago.
