Skansen which is a ferry or tram ride away from the city centre, was one of my favourite places. It’s where I got to see the Nordic animals. It’s an open air museum or a sort of cultural theme park with a difference, where you can learn about Swedish culture from the 18th century onwards. Actual cottages from all over Sweden have been transplanted here. It gave me a feel of what rural life in Sweden is like. Just lovely and most of the cottages looked like something out of a fairy tale for this city gal. Skansen was started way back in 1891 and it was the world’s first open air museum.
This is the entrance where you can buy the tickets which go for about S$14 per adult and the attraction is open from 10am to 3pm. I guess this is because the sun starts to set then and I am sure that there are longer operating hours during summer with the very long sunny days.
photo by bookjunkie
A rural church.
photo by bookjunkie
Loved all the red village buildings.
photo by bookjunkie
There are usually people dressed in character in all the little cottages, but we only came across one lady as I guess it’s winter time and off season.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
The grounds are pretty massive and there’s quite a lot of walking uphill.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
These are probably the very last roses as winter arrives late this year.
photo by bookjunkie
I was thrilled to see the fluffy plump chickens which looked so much more beautiful than the scrawny chickens I am used to seeing in Asia. Even the cows were more impressive. The sheep also looked like something out of a fairy tale. Very different from the sheep I have seen in Australia.
The Geese were the most lively. I was afraid to get too near in case I got attacked.
photo by bookjunkie
The prettiest speckled chicken I have ever seen.
photo by bookjunkie
A very majestic cow? It’s a cow right? Although it has horns?
photo by bookjunkie
The sheep and goat had similar shaped longish faces.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
And my very first time, face to face with a reindeer. A bit of a let down. I don’t know why? Perhaps I expected to see one with a red nose or Santa? They just seemed so tired and worn out.
photo by bookjunkie
I also caught a squirrel in mid scamper down a tree.
photo by bookjunkie
I would recommend you go to Skansen in the summer as it seemed really empty during the off season and not all the cottages were manned. I am sure it would be lively then with adorable Swedish tots running about.
