On Saturday morning, I went to Tivedens National Park with some German friends that I got to know from my intensive Swedish language class. On Friday night, while I was in my laundry room (doing my laundry DUH!) Martin sent me a text asking me if I would be interested to join him and 2 other guys, Hendrik and Benedickt, for a drive to somewhere to "see some nature". I was like...
YEAH MAN! TOTALLY!
So, I packed a light lunch to share with the guys. I was so excited on Friday night because it was the first road trip that I would be taking in Europe! I pictured us walking to a scenic spot, laying down a mat to have a picnic in Sweden's nature reserve.
Morning came, I put on my long johns, jeans and jacket and walked over to the car-park to meet up with the guys. I knew something was amiss then I turned up at Martin's car and I saw that none of them were in jeans. They were in mountain trekking gear & snow guards while I was decked in denim jeans. Also, they were all spotting Deuter bag packs while I was merely slinging a cotton sling bag. Thinking that it was just German culture to be well-prepared for any situation, I hopped into the car beaming from ear to ear! =D
Martin de-icing his car! It was -18 degrees C the night before!
Me demonstrating that bottled water left in a car overnight will turn into ice. =.=''
Our first stop at Tivedens National Park- Kloster ruins, an old site of what used to be a Christian Monastery.
Before we headed into the ruins, we had to take some photos! That's Martin on the left, and Hendrik on my right!
Kloster ruins from the outside.
From the inside.
Set against the snowy backdrop.
If I were alone, I don't think I'd venture anywhere near those dark chambers.
Inside the chamber. The guys found a pool of semi-frozen water. That's Benedikt trying to see how hard the ice is.
Out the chamber we come...
Photo taking time! I can't believe that I wasn't wearing any gloves!
We decided to explore the area around the ruin. Apparently, that's a barn.
ARGH!
The guys were telling me that we were walking on a frozen lake/ marsh pit and that it would be good to walk on the wooden bridge. I was like... I AM NOT GETTING OFF THAT WOODEN BRIDGE!
Action only.
Don't know why I'm so happy also. Probably because I didn't fall into any frozen lakes. =.=''
Candid shot taken by Benedikt! NICE!
Another really nice shot by Benedikt!
Christmas postcard?
Feel free to save and use as your wallpaper. HAHAHA!
Vast open land. Something I don't get to see in SG.
Martin has a thing for throwing snowballs into the air.
Martin, Hendrik and Benedikt.
This was the easy part of the trip as the ruins were a mere 100 steps away from the car.
Stay tuned for Part 2 - Our ascend to the summit & Part 3- Our trek to Vättern Lake!
Can't wait till I get more free time to share with you the DRAMA that unfolded. Haha, ok I think the drama is only in my head... but still... HAHAHA!
Till then...
=0)
