Location: Depart from Järntorget and take Tram #11 to Saltholmen, then transfer to the Vrango ferry departing from Saltholmen docks
Duration: 3 hours and 20 minutes

On our first visit last October, we were told that we should be sure and see the islands of the southern archipelago.

We are allowed to be visitors but we are, in a sense, trespassing on the routines of island life. As foreigners, we are already a cultural other when we visit a Swedish island.

The extension of the urban transit system onto the islands seems very unique – the ease of visitation is built into the local transportation fabric. It never ceases to amaze us that we can be riding on a crowed tram, followed by a less crowded ferry, and then find ourselves walking alone on an island’s nature trail, having left the city only an hour before.

When I am here, I feel and see the quality of light, the character of the rocks, and the island’s relationship to the sea around it. This kind of ‘here’-ness feels increasingly rare. Most of the time, cultural and market forces erode the uniqueness and distinctiveness of place. It seems no longer strange to people to simultaneously be both physically local and virtually global.

There is an implied respect for the property of others, especially here on an island. Space is precious on an island.

Sometimes, the barrenness and ruggedness of the rocks seem to offer a challenge: I dare you to build a house here. Yes, way out here, not near anything useful. To build on an island is to take up and yet respect this challenge.

To make a bargain with time: give me more hours to reflect, to think, to live deliberately (as Thoreau said) – and I will accept the difficulties when I need something off the island.