Sahlins Struts Ostrich Farm in Sweden

On our recent Summer staycation Road Trip in Sweden, we saw many Moose signs along the road, but who knew we would see actual Ostriches instead of Moose this time! This was only because we stopped at Sahlins Struts, an Ostrich Farm just outside of Borlänge in Dalarna Country, Sweden. 

As soon as we parked, we saw a couple of Ostriches behind a fence walking around. It was my first time seeing an Ostrich up close. They are much bigger than I expected. It's also hard to tell if they are happy or not, so we didn't get too close. 

For those visiting Sahlins Struts for lunch or dessert, there is a main restaurant, an outdoor pub and a little Ice cream stand. When we arrived after 5pm, the main restaurant was unfortunately, already closed. However, the Summer Outdoor Pub was busy with customers sitting and enjoying the summer sun. The ice cream area was still open and a had a few customers too. 

Note: As of Jan 2022, the Main restaurant is temporarily closed. 

We weren't sure whether or not we would stay to eat anything, so I asked the staff at the Pub what kind of burgers they were serving and they looked at each other funny, asked each other the word in English, and one guy replied, Ostrich meat of course, haha.

We walked around the area to see more Ostriches. There is a really nice playground for kids, a little car track, and a trampoline. There is also some baby Ostriches in the barn labeled "Chicks" in Swedish. Here you can get much closer to them and see Ostrich chicks of various sizes.

During our visit to Sahlins Struts, we only spent time looking at the Ostriches and letting the kids run around outside before getting back in the car to continue to our destination for the night. It's an interesting place to stop at especially when it was unexpected. It was actually recommended to us by the hotel we stayed in Borlänge.

Enjoy your summer and remember, don't forget your snacks!

Sahlin Struts
Sveden 1, 781 92 Borlänge
Check out their website for more information.

The Swedish Ice Cream Truck Hemglass

It seems like the season for Ice Cream trucks is all year in Sweden! The blue truck labeled "Hemglass", plays a little tune and then waits to see if anyone is running out from their homes or from the playground to buy some ice cream. Sounds pretty similar to what happens in North America, right?

The Ice Cream Truck in Sweden doesn't have a window that the driver stands by to hand you the Ice Cream. Instead, the driver gets out and meets everyone at the back of the ice cream truck. During Covid, the line needs to be spaced out, so it can take long. 

I remember our first time visiting the Ice Cream truck, we always heard the song, but we were usually indoors and already had our treats for the day. I wasn't sure what to expect.

When I asked if you could buy single ice creams, he said no, only in boxes!! One of the other Swedish moms told me later that when she was a child, they used to sell single Ice creams but now it's only by boxes. We said maybe next time we can buy a box together. 

The ice cream we chose, Smarties, 8 pack, came in two boxes! Haha.. 

Everyone got a little ice cream menu with their purchase. It shows what's available and what's new for during the period mentioned on the front.

I've always wondered what the Ice Cream truck experience was in Sweden, so I'm glad we tried it! There are some ice cream box combos we haven't seen before so that'll be interesting to try sometime too. And like most places in Sweden, you pay with card not cash. 

Ice cream isn't the only thing available from a Hemglass truck! You can buy frozen pizza, and other frozen food items too! We have only tried the ice cream so far.

Kids often get a little toy (Keychain or temporary tattoo) when we order ice cream. They have also given out ice cream coins, which are good for 1 single ice cream (that's the only single item I've seen kids get).

The ice cream truck in Sweden never fails to arrive, even when it is freezing cold and snow. You can always count on getting your ice cream restocked!

During the festive season, you can get a Hemglass Christmas Calendar or "JulKalendar". There are also Saffron ice cream sandwiches! Saffron is a spice used a lot during Christmas for pastries and desserts!

The ice cream truck in Sweden is always a fun activity for the kids! Who isn't excited for Ice cream? Vegan, dairy-free options are available and even a few low carb, low sugar options too. 

Don't forget your snacks!

Hemglass

Check out their website for their products! 

Visit the Botanical Gardens in Göteborg, Sweden

One of our favorite places to walk in Gothenburg, is the Botanical Gardens (or "Botaniska" in Swedish) and the nature reserve, both are near the city park, Slottsskogen. There are a few ponds, and plenty to see, so it's a wonderful place to hike and explore. It's amazing how you can be in the city but walk 20min and get to the forest. The nature reserve, "Änggårdsbergen", is popular for moutain bikers as well. So when you are walking around make sure to watch for bikes. 

We actually got our Maternity photo shoot done at the Botanical Gardens and Nature reserve. We walked around and the photographer told us when she found a great spot! The photos were amazing! 

Thank you to Victoria for the beautiful shots while I was pregnant!

Botaniska is also a great place to sit at the cafe for an outdoor fika! There are high chairs available and kids and kids can go run around after sitting at the table eating their snacks. The outdoor area has a number of tables (they just upgraded the tables too!) and it's easy to space yourselves out from others. With Spring upon us, it's the perfect spot for some sunshine while you sip your hot beverage.

The cafe, Botaniska Paviljongen, always has some really delicious desserts. Actually recently, they introduced a Vegan Chocolate chip cookie. It is really soft and tasty, and doesn't taste Vegan at all.

Outdoor fika with kids!

The kids and I like to have a snack at the cafe before our adventures. My daughter loves the Carrot Cake and I usually pack one of the cookies to save for later! 

Now that spring has arrived,the flowers are starting to bloom. As of April 7th, 2021, there is currently some renovations going on in the Gardens. The entrance flowers and pond are being updated. So be sure to also watch out for the maintenance vehicles driving on the main path.

Definitely add Botaniska to your list if planning to visit Gothenburg (post-pandemic of course) or if you live in the city, come visit and stop to smell the flowers (but no picking flowers!). There's even some fish in the ponds! 

There is a box donate to the Botaniska at the entrance gate, if you are interested in supporting the beautiful gardens! Remember to keep your distance (Håll Avstånd) if visiting Botaniska, and don't forget your snacks! 

Botaniska Paviljongen
Gothenburg, Sweden 
Check out their menu on their website

Fotograf Rennerstahl
This was the Maternity photographer we used for the amazing photos! 
Photographer: Victoria Rennerstahl
Check out her website!

Frozen Ponds in Slottsskogen City Park

Here's a look back at last month, when the ponds at Slottsskogen park were frozen over!

Walking across some Frozen ponds at Slottsskogen city park was a first for us this winter. We have never seen it actually frozen until this year. There was one time that we did walk across a frozen lake (called Delsjön). That was our first winter in Göteborg years ago and pre-kids.

I was a bit hesitant to go on the ice first, so I waited and watched the scene. There were so many others out on the ice for a long time and the temperature had been way below freezing the last few days. Some were skating, others walking or standing. I decided to go out on it too since who knew when it would be like this again. It was such a cool experience seeing the frozen leaves under the ice just below your feet.

One of the ponds we walked on is by the Villa Belparc restaurant in the Slottsskogen, and the other pond was on the way there by the other cafe, Björngårdsvillan.

The little ones had so much fun playing on the frozen ponds. Sliding on it, making snow angels, or just walking on it. There were even some people even playing Hockey when we first got there.

Slottsskogen which means "Castle Forest" in English, is Göteborg's main park with a large area for exploring. The park has a small outdoor zoo (with seals, penguins and even Moose), and pre-pandemic they also had a petting zoo for the kids. There are a couple of nice play areas in the park like "Plikta" with the huge wooden whale and a wooden playground by the Penguin area. 

There's a sign on the whale to keep your distance... A bit challenging when at a playground though. 

We love to go and explore Slottsskogen. There are so many different paths through the park (most are Stroller friendly too!) and on a nice day pre-pandemic, we have enjoyed many picnics and events at this park. The city park also hosts many events, such as being the start or end point for the city's half marathon (Göteborgsvarvet) and the popular Summer Music festival Way out West.

If you're visiting Göteborg, Sweden in the future, add Slottsskogen to your list, for a stroll, fika, the zoo or just exploring. There are a few different cafes around the park, and some ice cream/hot dog stands but their opening hours vary. We love Villa Belparc. They have delicious dagenslunch, and a covered outdoor area with heaters for the winter. Björngårdsvillan is a great cafe with ice cream and other snacks. We have taken shelter from the rain here a number of times! In the summer, they also have a bouncy castle for kids.

Björnsgårdsvillan cafe in Slottsskogen!

Just in case the cafes are closed, don't forget your snacks!

Slottsskogen
Slottsskogspromenaden, 414 76 Göteborg, Sweden
Check out their website for more information

Two cafes at the park:

Villa Belparc
This one is a proper restaurant with daily lunch special and fika treats.
Check out their website for the menu

Björngårdsvillan
This cafe is right next to path up to the zoo area and in the same building as an art school.

Their facebook page has more information

Snowy Day in Göteborg

Chilly temperatures in Göteborg, Sweden made sure the snow has stayed around for a few weeks. Winter this year really feels like the Swedish winter that people think about when they think about Scandinavia. We love to see the beautiful snow and it brightens up the city especially when it's sunny.

Yesterday, the snow kept falling and kids kept playing ;) It was great to get some new snow! And building snowmen really is a workout :)

So glad we don't need to worry about commuting anywhere in this wintry weather. All around the neighborhood, strollers were left at home and everyone used their sleds or 'pulkas' in Swedish, to take their kids around. Our own sled, which we ordered just last month, has been getting some good use over the last few weeks!

Sledding!

Parent Tip to stay warm... bring multiple gloves for the little ones (and yourself) as they often get wet, lost, kids want to switch etc. and bring a thermos with a warm drink!

Snack bag and drinks - a must for our daily adventures!

Need to enjoy the snow before the forecasted rainy weather melts it all away (Göteborg is usually rainy during winter). Hope you are enjoying the winter weather if you have some in your city, and remember, don't forget your snacks!