Borg: A Castle or Stronghold

Last I wrote we were looking forward to the arrival of Grandma Beth and Grandpa Paul Borg, as well as Great Grandma Diane. Now that visit has come and gone and many adventures have been had which I will now share with you. Our cottage was quite cozy with 5 adults and 1 child, all living together. It suited us very well after a day of adventures when we would come home, light a fire in the stove and group around the table for a nice home cooked meal or some fresh smoked fish.

We took adventures into town and traveled the countryside to the famous kingdom of crystal and the quaint, old seaside town of Kalmar. We did this in our trusty minibus! (which at some points seemed larger than our cottage)

When we arrived in Sweden, Adam and I could not help but notice that the name Borg was incorporated into business names, neighborhoods, castles and street names. So as you imagine when the Borgs (or mostly Borgs) arrived, it was not hard for them to get interested as well. On our adventure we found out that the word Borg means castle or stronghold. That name also explained a lot about what we did during our travels. No matter where we went there was always a castle or a castle ruin to see. Some were very old and falling apart and others were magnificent and still being used. We discovered what the word borg meant and had traveled to a lot of castles and were thus inclined to notice other things with the name of Borg on them. One of these things we found, which happened to line up with one of our favorite past times, was a brand of beer called Tuborg, the beer of Danish kings. As the adventures continued with the family, that theme continued to keep our interest. We traveled out into the country and also into the big city of Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen was full of beautiful buildings, old traditions, people, bicycles, beers and boats. Plenty of things to help a person enjoy a well rounded cultural experience!

And since our adventures had many laughs, a few struggles and was overall a whirlwind of a time, I will let the photos below explain the rest!

Jasper showing Grandma Beth and Great Grandma Diane our local duck friends on their day of arrival

We toured Adam's art studio at the Italian Palace

The Teleborg castle which is located near the Italian Palace. It is now a restaurant and motel.

Here, Jasper is looking at the complex gears that operate the clock in front of the castle.

Sitting down in our cottage to a good bowl of lentil soup and a salad that was prepared by all!

This is the front of the Kronoberg Castle ruin. This castle ruin is on an island connected by a long bridge to the main. This ruin is just 5km north of the Vaxjo city center.

Crossing the ice to reach the side of the Kronoberg Castle ruin. We were happy that it was winter when we visited so we could use the ice to get across. If there had been no ice then we would not have been able to explore around the entire castle.

Looking inside one of the windows of the Kronoberg castle ruin. There was some kind of wooded piece of equipment inside but we were not sure what it was.

Adam, coming out of one of the back gated entrances of the Kronoberg's castle ruin

 Papa Borg and I on the castle wall. It was really neat to see the vegetation growing on top of the castle. It has become a "natural" part of the earth once again. It will be more interesting to see what it looks like in many years to come.

The whole family in the front of the castle ruin.

Jasper watching glass blowing at Kosta Boda. This is the biggest and oldest, still operating glass factory in the crystal kingdom. The province of Sweden we live in is called Småland and it is famous for glass blowing. They let you walk into the factory and watch them work, up close and personal.This is just one of the many groups of people in this same room working on different shapes of blown glass.

Another glass blowing crew at Kosta Boda glass factory.

Here we are in the city of Kalmar. It is on the east coast and surrounded by the Baltic Sea. After a good meal we headed toward a very old part of town with cobblestone streets and quaint little houses.

Some of the houses on one of the streets in gamla stan (old town) in Kalmar. You can see my dad strolling in the street ahead.

A nice side entrance going into one of the houses in gamla stan. I loved all the different colors in the neighborhood. Notice the nice stone walkway, red painted flowers on the white fence and yellow door with a colorful painted face next to it.

I really liked the look of this house. It was actually up kept very well even though it does not look so right away. I liked the old wood showing from under the stone wall siding.

The Kalmar castle. This castle is also built up on an island with a long bridge connecting it to the mainland.

A sunset view from the bridge walking to the castle

Another view from the bridge walking to the castle.

Leaving the entrance of the castle and heading back to the town.

Jasper and Grandpa starting a fire after a long day of adventuring. It is a good view from above.

Downtown Växjö doing some browsing and shopping

Here are a few of our old Swedish friends that hang around in our cottage with us, helping us prepare for our journey to Copenhagen, Denmark.

On the train to Copenhagen

Jasper, hanging out by some bicycles as we wait for a table at a restaurant in Copenhagen. Still, bicycles everywhere!

My dad looking at some locally brewed beers (in the bottle) made with grains that are grown in the area. I tired the IPA and it was very good. It was a nice change from all the lagers in Sweden. This was our first night adventure in Denmark.
 

Frk. Barners Kaelder was the name of the restaurant we went to, serving traditional Danish cuisine.

Two royal guards doing their job guarding the Queen of Denmark's home. We went to watch the changing of the guards which happens every day around 12 noon. There is a very long ceremony that happens which includes a lot of music and marching.

Here we are in the middle of the square, where the changing of the guards happens. (Jasper, Adam, Me, my mom Beth, Grandma Diane, my dad Paul)

The guards marching before the changing of the guards

Guards waiting during the changing of the guards

The family arriving at one of the canals in the city.

This canal was full of culture and amazing colors

Bicycles and boat, what a great combination!

More of the canal

and more

Here we are having a beer outside one of the cafes. All of the cafes had just set up their outside seating with outside bars. It was so great because they supplied everyone with a blanket so you could be cozy warm, enjoying a refreshment outside, even if it was not so warm.

My mom and dad enjoying a drink outside and my dad supporting his recently bought NORWEAR sweater.

We continued our journey to a nice park near a harbor in search of the little mermaid. This is a awesome church that was made of all kinds of stones. In front you can see my Grandma walking towards it supporting the Danish flag on her shopping bag!
 

A closer look at the church doors and stone work around on it

The park we walked through to get to the little mermaid.

After only two days of adventuring in Copenhagen, we escorted the family to the train station and sent them on their way back to the states. Hej då!

Jasper, Adam and I decided to stay in Copenhagen for a while longer and went to the National Museum where Jasper had turned into a medieval Knight!
 

After a long journey we are headed back home to Växjö

Two of our other friends, welcoming us back to our cottage on the lake.

Now, after a week of touring the countryside and cities, we are back to our "normal" life in our cozy city and cottage. I am sure Jasper and I will find some more fun kid adventures and Adam will be painting and getting ready for his show at Växjö Kommun (City Hall)!