Roadtripping through Southern Sweden

Our journey started in NS' hometown, Västervik,

which lives up to its motto, "The Pearl of the East Coast" - especially in the summertime.

Our next stop was Nina's family island, in the archipelago outside Västervik

where we swam and sun-bathed, explored and relaxed, ate good food, and drank wine

until the sun went down.

Back in Västervik, we watched thousands of motorcycles in the annual parade of HojRock

Northern Europe's biggest motorcycle festival.

We had some amazing family dinners

late into the evening,

followed by fresh night swims

in the moonlight.

After 9 days on the East Coast,

it was time to venture way out west - to Steninge.

We visited Halmstad, a beautiful, windy coastal town

full of surfers and beach-lovers - my kind of place.

Family gathered together in the family cabin on the ocean, surrounded by fields of cows,

and ran around the yard until we were warm enough to jump in the brisk waters.

For a few days, we did this

and I enjoyed every second of it.

As always, it was time to go home too early.

But just as we've barely arrived back in

Stockholm, we leave for the US to see

American family and friends - 

and get some true summer heat.

Midsommar in Steninge

Sweden's Midsommar is like America's 4th of July

minus the fireworks

plus lots of snaps (really strong liquor) and pickled herring

and a Midsommar pole which everyone dances around like a frog

And so, for the occasion, we drove 6 hours across the country to Nik's dad's family's stuga  (cabin) right on the North Sea.

Here's the view from the house

And this is what the traditional Midsommar lunch looks like - boiled potatoes, a wide variety of sill (pickled herring), and snaps... also knäckebröd with just a little bit of butter ; )

Feeling good after... how many shots was it? And it's only lunchtime!

After lunch, it's game time! And here is croquet's all-star blue team

The weekend was lots of fun with tons of food, drinks, and merriment by all. My only request: that Midsommar holiday weekend be extended to at least a week. But I really can't complain with my 3-week holiday right around the corner!