The Stockholm Tunnelbana (Stockholm Metro)

How we love good company. It's not just about having good friends, but how they treat you and the memories and experiences you share with them. Isn't that just delightful?

We met with Anika, Orka and their daughter Matilda in Huddinge for a nice Saturday. The plan is to help them with gardening and to have a wonderful dinner together.

We decided to use the Stockholm Metro (or the Tunnelbana) to get there. I always think that we are geographically blessed because our house is just a two-four minute walk from the Odenplan subway station (on the green line). My school is also on the green line, at the Skanstull station.

One of the many entrances of the Odenplan station 

Odenplan after the ticket-gates. 

So we plan to go to Ragsved (note that the "a" should have a little circle on top of it) and walk about a kilometer or two to the house. Most of the Tunnelbana we use is underground, but the route from Gullmarsplan to Ragsved is amazing. Everything is above ground and the scenery was very natural. 

Whilst on the subway, the train stopped at the Globen station and it has a view of the globe. See that mini-globe above the larger one? Well you can ride on that and get an awesome view of the whole Stockholm. I want to go there some day.

Arrived at Ragsved! 

By the way, here's something that may catch your attention. This is a video I took just after we left the Gamla Stan station to Slussen. What an amazing view. I see this everyday. Very stunning. 

Sorry for the quality of this video. Filmed from an iPhone. Watch in H.D. 

I saw my school from Skanstull - Gullmarsplan! 

SHOUTOUTS: Matilda Jackobson | Joylene Love D. Suarez 

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READ MORE: Travel To The Philippines - TOURIST SPOTS {Part 1} 

READ MORE: Travel To The Philippines - FOOD AND DRINK {Part 2} 

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TRANSPORTATION in Sweden and in the Philippines

So the day before yesterday (25 September '13) was our two months in Stockholm! What better way to celebrate our second month in this wonderful country by comparing it with my previous country, right?

NOTE: These thoughts come from a thirteen year old boy that has no intention of harming, violating or offending anyone reading this. He is just expressing his honest opinions.

The first thing I'll compare about is the Transportation. Since the Philippines is in Asia and is quite a melting pot of traditions handed-down by other Asian countries and that Sweden is more of a Northern-European country influenced by more Nordic countries, so don't question me if you think that differences are a lot, let alone in the transportation section.

So in the Philippines, tricycles are perfect in short distances. You might find tons of them in the residential areas. Tricycles are basically just motorcycles with an added sidecar which is used for the passengers. These are ridiculously cheap (no normal fare goes up to PHP 70/ SEK 10), although they may charge extra for longer distances.

 A Tricycle. Picture from hobotraveller.com

In my two-month experience in Stockholm, I have not discovered a mode of transport that is good for short distances. The Stockholms Tunnelbana (the Stockholm Metro/Subway), could be good, but I think that the price is to steep. I am not sure with the prices, but in the Philippines, the metro costs PHP 25-40 (SEK 4-6), which is about five-six times cheaper than the metro in Stockholm. 

The Stockholm Metro To Morby Centrum. Picture from sv.wikipedia.org

Taxis in the Philippines are smaller than the ones in Sweden. Also, the fares are really cheap, with the normal flagdown fare being PHP 40-50 (SEK 6-8). If you wish to spend a hundred Swedish crowns on a Philippine taxi, prepare for a long journey. The only crazy thing in the Philippines is the traffic. 

A Typical Philippine Taxi Photo by definitelyfilipino.com 

Taxis in Stockholm just blows my mind. When my family occassionaly rides on a taxi, I think the flagdown fare is SEK 60, and rises by one crown per four-six seconds. I do not know why this is... By the way, if you're going to take a taxi in Stockholm, make sure you check that yellow sticker on a window. That symbolizes a regular 10 minute fare. They are allowed to rip you off just as long as you see the fare. 

Photo by rongid.ee

So if you really want to see the breath-taking sights of Stockholm and not willing to walk that much, save your butt off. Literally. 

READ MORE: Skansen -- Stockholm's Open Air Museum

SHOUTOUTS: Joylene Love D. Suarez 

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