Göta Canal

What do you get when you cross the civil engineering project of the century, an ambitious government minister and a desire to evade Danish tariffs? Why the Göta Canal of course! It’s a one stop shop for tourists today, but when it was first built it was also a major trade route and the largest civil engineering project ever embarked upon in Swedish history.

Conceived of many centuries before it’s realization, the Göta Canal was begun in May of 1810 and was expected by Baltzar von Platen, the man in charge of the project, to become the major thoroughfare for goods and passangers throughout the region. After it’s 22 years of construction von Platen’s dream was acheived and throughout the 19th century served not just Sweden but all of Europe. Today however with planes, trains and automobiles, it has transformed into the biggest tourist attraction in West Sweden.

Stretching 190 kilometers and comprised of 58 locks, the Göta Canal passes through beautiful countryside, fantastic restaurants, and fascinating museums among other tourist beloved staples. You can cruise its waters, bike its shores, and even fish its inhabitants! More of the myriad activities along the canal can be found online here, along with accommodation and dining options, and historical info or you can peruse the online version of the Gota Canal Magazine filled with all the tourist info you could possibly require.

And just something to think about while you’re lounging lazily on the boat passing through the locks, that the structure you’re sailing took about 85 million (85,000,000) man-hours to make!

The opening of the Göte Canal in Mem 1832. Painting by K. Chr. Berger

Lobster Safariing in West Sweden

Have you ever wondered how a lobster went from being a happy lobster swimming along the bottom of the sea to a delicious lobster swimming along at the bottom of your pool of melted butter? The process is a fun one of baiting and setting lobster traps (or pots) to be hauled aboard later filled with lobsters whose next stop is another pot, this one however filled with boiling water rather than tempting bait.

They say meals are much more satisfying when you have to work for them, and in West Sweden you can do just that – go on a lobster safari to catch your own delectable delicacies. No need to wonder about where your dinner came from, since you picked it out fresh from the sea yourself and helped prepare your meal.

The first Monday after September 20th every year, (the 21st this year) marks the beginning of lobster season when every diner young and old in West Sweden celebrates with a seafood feast honoring of course the star of the season Nephropidae. The lobster safaris help everyone enjoy the festivities and partake in the excitement – allowing locals, tourists, grandkids and grandparents to master a unique skill through an unquotidien experience.

Here is a list of many of the companies that offer a variety of packages from relaxing spas with a lobster feast to full on day of lobster fishing.

So sadly, Way Out West is over, and now arises the questions: “Here I am in Sweden, what can I do?” Although it’s not the tropical turquoise waters and white sand beach island hopping, Bohuslän has a wealth of natural beauty and fabulous cuisine. Bohuslän is a rocky coastal region of Sweden with an archipelago of over 3,000 islands, comprising the the northern portion of the Gothenburg Archipelago.

Skipping from island to island affords visitors stunning vistas and fun activities, including dips in the sea, fishing boat trips, diving, miniature golf, and visiting the uniquely fascinating Nordens Ark – a not-for-profit organization helping to save endangered species. The region also boasts some of the freshest shellfish and seafood you can find, going from sea to stomach in mere minutes!

Here is a link to a map of the ferry lines where you can find out more about some of the bigger island stops and their gastronomic and leisure offerings by clicking on them. It’s a unique way to enjoy the region and explore  a beautiful ecosystem that is often ignored in favor or the more tropical island chains of the world.

Oyster slurping at its finest

Imagine if you will, slurping an oyster from its shell a mere 30 seconds after being plucked from the rocky sea floor! Well if you can’t just look at the photo above. Roughly an hour north of Gothenburg, Grebbestad is home to some of the most delectible delights from the sea, producing 90% of Sweden’s oysters and 50% of their lobsters. And if you’re looking for something to do after partying the weekend away at the Way Out West Festival head up to Grebbestad to do some fishing of your own!

Everts Sjöbod offers a variety of fishing trips through the archipelago including an oyster safari, crab fishing, lobster catching and mackerel snaring. Unfortunately for the Way Out West attendees, it’s not quite lobster season, but it is the best time of the year for oysters, crabs and mackerel. Touted as some of the tastiest oysters in the world, it’s hardly surprising that their oyster safari is a popular trip on it’s own as well as an add on package for their other fishing trips.

Read the rest of this entry »

The SS Silla cruising happily along at 15.5 knots

The SS Silla is officially the world’s fastest floating sauna, setting the world record last Saturday, July 4th in Marstrand, West Sweden, during Match Cup Sweden. The sauna reached 15.5 knots (nautical miles per hour), the equivalent of 28.71 kph/17.84 mph. To give you an idea of of how fast that is, the fastest speed acheived by a boat was 275.9 knots, the fastest human swam 4.6 knots, and the fastest aquatic animal, the sailfish, can reach 59.1 knots. The SS Silla’s 15.5 knots will most certainly allow for relaxing in a jacuzzi in style.

If you decide to take a trip to the inner landscape of West Sweden, you will experience the blissful relaxation that can only be achieved through green fields, red tractors, grazing cows and buzzing flies. Through this landscape runs the Göta Canal. With a length of 190 kilometres, it doesn’t stop before hitting the east coast of Sweden.

In 1810 the excavation work started. During 22 years more than 50 000 soldiers built the canal, mostly by hand using simple spades. Finally, in 1832 the channel was inaugurated by king Karl XII. Then both passengers and goods were transported along the canal. Later on as the railway became more important for freight services, the canal still continues to attract passengers who want to experience this unique way of travelling.

Read the rest of this entry »