Paddington

Do you think this hat is a little big for me? . Three Crowns is the national emblem of Sweden 🇸🇪 , present in the coat of arms of Sweden, and composed of three yellow or gilded coronets ordered two above and one below, placed on a blue background . The emblem is often used as a symbol of official State authority by the Monarchy, the Riksdag, the Government of Sweden and by Swedish embassies around the world, but also appears in other less formal contexts, such as the Sweden men's national ice hockey team, who wear the symbol on their sweaters and hence are called "Three Crowns", and atop the Stockholm City Hall (built 1911 to 1923) . There is also the idea that the three crowns would come from Tor , Oden and Frej . The three idol effigies in Uppsala Cathedral have been adorned with a crown each and it is perhaps these that are found in the coat of arms --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CIQR5Qsh_dX/

I love wandering old streets don't you? . Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden 🇸🇪 dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic North German architecture which has had a strong influence in the Old Town's construction. From the mid-19th century to the early-mid 20th century Gamla Stan was considered a slum. From the 1970s and 80s, however, it has become a tourist attraction due to the charm of its medieval, Renaissance architecture . The name Stockholm originally referred to Gamla Stan only, but as the city expanded, the name now also refers several suburban areas. The name Stockholm means 'log island' in Swedish. The previous capital of Sweden was located in Sigtuna. A thousand years ago Sigtuna had problems with armed gangs attacking the city. The situation became untenable and there was a need to find a new location for the capital city of Sweden. According to legend the leaders in Sigtuna then took a log of wood, cut out all the wood inside, filled it with gold, and let it float on the water. The log was floating on the water for several days and eventually hit land on the island where Gamla Stan today is located. The island was named Stockholm or log island, meaning the place where the log had hit ground. This is where they decided to found the new capital of Sweden. The island of Stockholm had the advantage that it was an island, easy to defend from armed gangs that could be thought to want to attack the city . I think I might have to explore this city a little more, it's very pretty --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CHaXfqfhiLP/

How old is the oldest building where you live? . I'm in Sigtuna, Sweden 🇸🇪 which was founded just over 1,000 years ago . Sigtuna is a medieval-style city center with restaurants, cafes and small shops. The old church ruins, runic stones and the old main street (Stora Gatan) are popular attractions for tourists especially in the summertime. The small streets with the low built wooden houses lead up to several handicrafts shops and the old tiny town hall . I'm outside one of the oldest buildings here, located on the corner of Stora Gatan and Laurentii alley it consists of several houses around a courtyard. The house facing the alley that today is 'Tant Brun's Coffee House' is perhaps the oldest in the whole of Sigtuna City and dates back to the end of the 17th century. It is a typical timber built house painted in a traditional color and is a great place to enjoy a Swedish Fika --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CGxG_JuhspM/

What's your favorite fall food? 🐻💙❤🍄🎃🥧 . I'm in Sweden 🇸🇪 at the moment where the summers are unpredictable, the springtime is usually late AND unpredictable, and the winter is way too cold. Fall, however, is perfect. Sometimes I will walk outside and think to myself, "This weather could not possibly be more perfect." It's almost as if the perfect mix of sun and clouds and slight chill was combined together to create the best weather ever. In particular, I love feeling the contrast of a warm day followed by a chilly night. Cozying up with a nice bowl of pumpkin soup, my thick socks and a blanket . Orange is everywhere, the trees put on a glorious display, one last flourish and every tree as far as the eye can see blasts like a furnace. A whiff of smoke coming from a neighbor's chimney, the sound of leaves crinkling and breaking underneath your shoes, you know fall as officially arrived . Did you ever dream of a fall that was bright, sunny and crisp when the weather is great for sunglasses, but too cold for anything short sleeved? It's just the perfect in-between . There is just something about the sky during fall that is so unique and something that you won't get during the rest of the year and I think it has to do with the colors reflecting off of the trees . 'I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers' - Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CGCeB4EB52q/

Not many windmills left on the Gotland mainland, but on Fårö I saw quite a few . Fårö's population of permanent residents amounts to about 500 people, but during the summer the population increases dramatically. The name Fårö has, contrary to what you might think, nothing to do with sheep. Sheep are also not called sheep in Gotlandic unless they have lambed. In the 14th century the island's name Farøø was written and in the 15th century Faroyna. The name is formed by the words father and island . There is no town on Fårö, but most villages. In Eke there is a grocery store and nearby is Sudersand there are a few restaurants and a holiday resort. . Until 1998, Fårö was a military protection area and access was forbidden for foreign citizens. Nowadays there is no such ban. . Fårö is a flat moraine island with many bogs and swamps. Eastern Fårö consists of flying sand on which pines grow, while western Fårö has barren rocky terrain and some cultivated areas and shallow lakes. For those who want to swim . During the 17th and 18th centuries, lime was extracted and exported from the island. Several more or less well-preserved facilities are located adjacent to the coasts. . On the way back from Langhammars Raukar I made a stopover and found one of the many things typical for Gotland and Fårö: grey sheep, windmills, thatched houses, braided fences and dry stone walls, you can't get more Gotland than that --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CD0kiH7BSqE/

Do you like anime? . Anime, sometimes called Japanimation, is hand-drawn and computer animation originating from Japan. The term anime is derived from the English word animation, and in Japan is used to refer to all forms of animated media. Outside Japan, the term refers specifically to animation from Japan or to a Japanese-disseminated animation style often characterized by colorful graphics, vibrant characters and fantastical themes . If you've ever seen some of the Studio Ghibli films you might recognize some of these views. For the movie 'Kiki's Delivery Service' Miyazaki and the senior staff of Ghibli went to research landscapes and other elements for the setting. Their main stops were Stockholm and Visby on the Swedish island Gotland. The story takes place in an alternative 1950's Europe where WWI and WWII never happened. Hayao Miyazaki has been quoted saying that the fictional city of Kokiro has one side on the shores of the Mediterranean, and the other on the Baltic Sea . The street name signs in the city have been copied from those used in Stockholm, down to using the names (or parts of names) of existing Stockholm streets and squares in at least two scenes, including "Klara Norra Ky" taken from Klara Norra Kyrkogata (Northern Klara Church Street) and one sign in the film says "Antik o Konst" which means antique and art in Swedish . It's obvious walking around Visby's narrow and cozy alleys that this historical town and UNESCO World Heritage Site was used as a backdrop for this beautiful film --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CCQY-07BbYV/

Do you like castles? . Visby is a town on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It is Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval town 🇸🇪🏰 . It's also one of Sweden's most photogenic destinations, its tangle of cobbled lanes, pastel cottages and colourful wildflowers seemingly pulled from the pages of a well-worn storybook. With hauntingly beautiful ruined Gothic churches and mostly intact 12th-century ramparts, it's a place where history is written large . The town's many churches include the grand, centuries-old St. Mary's Cathedral and the medieval ruins of St. Nicolai and St. Karin. The main square, Stora Torget, has cobblestone streets lined with cafes and restaurants . The old, original part of Visby is more or less enclosed by the city wall to the north, east and south, with the old harbor and the Baltic Sea in the west . Medieval Week in Visby is a chance to don all manner of period garb and parade around as knights, queens and peasants, dining, drinking and dancing against a Unesco World Heritage backdrop – surprisingly convincing and fun! Many people are drawn to quieter periods, when they can ponder Visby's riches, undistracted. I prefer the latter and fell in love with Gotland's rich historical capital --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CBu2kubhFQp/

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you - Winnie the Pooh . Few things have such a huge impact on happiness and the enjoyment, depth and plain fun of life as the friendships we have. That's why I was so excited to learn that one of my best friends @thebelgiannomad is coming to Sweden 🇸🇪 so I invited him to stay for a few nights . If friendship is so important to the good life, then it is important to ask the question, what is friendship? Aristotle saw friendship as one of the true joys of life, and felt that a life well-lived must include truly meaningful, lasting friendships. In his words: 'In poverty as well as in other misfortunes, people suppose that friends are their only refuge. And friendship is a help to the young, in saving them from error, just as it is also to the old, with a view to the care they require and their diminished capacity for action stemming from their weakness; it is a help also to those in their prime in performing noble actions, for ‘two going together’ are better able to think and to act.' . Relationships require time and intention, but when they blossom, they do so with trust, admiration, and awe. They bring with them some of the sweeter joys that life has to offer --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CBKjlcDhikM/

Why are Swedish teens in white hats? 💙💛🇸🇪 . Every country seems to celebrate high school graduations in different ways, with some places having huge events, while others more low key, usually graduation ceremonies in Sweden are a huge celebration with open top buses and street parties, this year however festivities are much more low key 'Studenten' is something every Swede looks forward to and is an important milestone in their lives. The celebrations are so big that they can almost take over small towns. When a school is having its graduation ceremony, you will know about it . One of the main ways you can tell when it's graduation is that all students wear special hats called a studentmössa. Typically, the studentmössa is a white cap with a black or dark blue band and a black peak. It looks like a sailor’s cap to me. The variations on the history of the studentmössa are many. Most agree, however, that in Sweden, the studentmössa was first worn in the mid 1800’s at Uppsala University at a student meeting . Students put their names on the front of the hat. In between the student’s first and last name, there is a gem or badge which tells onlookers what program the student is graduating from . Girls tend to pair their hat with a simple white dress, while boys wear suits. There is a dress code, but it is quite relaxed . There is of course the baby photo, it's embarrassing, but that's what parents are for right? --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CBD2DwzB-AZ/

Have you visited Nova Scotia? . The Eastern Shore is a region of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. 🇨🇦 It is the Atlantic coast running northeast from Halifax Harbour to the eastern end of the peninsula at the Strait of Canso . I absolutely loved this part of Canada. The views are spectacular, the coastline is dramatic, the people are friendly and incredibly welcoming, what's not to like? I was even offered to come and have coffee and donuts by one of the locals while I was out on a walk, of course I took him up on the offer and met his family and chatted about life in this beautiful part of the country . The Eastern Shore is a scenic, yet sparsely settled area, hosting dozens of small fishing harbours and communities; in recent decades the region has become home to a growing number of cottages and recreational properties, given the amount of unspoiled sand beaches and dramatic coastlines. The shore also hosts the majority of Nova Scotia's small islands . The Eastern Shore is home to numerous historic gold mining areas near Port Dufferin, Tangier, Sherbrooke, and Goldboro, as well as Nova Scotia's most historic seaport, Canso. Canso predates Halifax, Lunenburg and Annapolis Royal as one of North America's earliest settlements . If you have never been, I strongly suggest you add this destination to your bucket list --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CA7KECUBaF9/

Have you visited Sweden's Archipelago? 🇸🇪 . From the far north in Swedish Lapland, wrapping around the coastline of the deep south, before stretching up the west coast, there are thousands of islands which make up Sweden's Archipelago. Most islands are car free and the best and most enjoyable way to get around is by ferry boat, then foot or bicycle, which can be rented on most of the main islands . Öregrund is one of Sweden's best preserved wooden cities and the only city on the Swedish east coast where the sun sets over the ocean. It is located by the coast of the Baltic Sea. Öregrund is, despite its small population, for historical reasons often still referred to as a city . Öregrund was build as early as 1491 and became a central seafaring competitor to Stockholm. The iron from the world’s leading Vallonian black smiths in the area was called 'Oregrund iron' after Öregrund, which had the exclusive rights to ship the iron across the world . The nave of Öregrund is still the harbour. In modern times it is mainly used for small boats. In the summer it flourishes due to small sailboats and other pleasure boats. Boats also arrive from Stockholm, taking a trip from the Stockholm Archipelago --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CAsL-ZEB2hj/

I love a good bridge photo don't you? . Brooklyn's DUMBO which stands for 'Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass' is a once-industrial neighborhood that has transformed into an artsy hotspot for shops, restaurants, and start-up businesses. DUMBO is the first neighborhood you'll enter when you come off the Manhattan or Brooklyn bridges and it has spectacular views of Manhattan, NYC, USA 🗽🇺🇸 . This small neighborhood offers a unique combination of old warehouses, exciting shops and restaurants, and pricey high-rise apartments, but it's also home to famous pizzerias and chocolate shops, as well as numerous art venues . A walk around DUMBO streets is both charming and entertaining. You can fill an afternoon shopping at the many boutiques or stopping by a gallery. In the spring through the fall, the famed Brooklyn Flea is housed under the arches of the Manhattan Bridge on Sundays . Luckily area of NYC avoided the name DANYA: 'District Around the Navy Yard Annex'. The local community agreed that DUMBO had just the right kind of Dadaist anti-marketing positioning to protect the turf from developers: who, after all, would spend a million dollars for a loft in a place called DUMBO? . A Brooklyn shopkeeper named Morris Michtom and his wife Rose are credited with inventing the teddy bear, which at the time was called a 'Teddy’s bear' in reference to a bear Theodore Roosevelt reportedly refused to shoot on a hunting trip in 1902 . The Dutch settled western Long Island and created a village near present-day Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. They called it Breukelen after the town of Breukelen in the Netherlands. Brooklyn is the Anglicized version of the name --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CAhnG7YBGHW/

Do you know the sound of one hand clapping? . Guinsa Temple, nestled into the valley in the Sobaek Mountains near Danyang in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea 🇰🇷 is the headquarters of the Cheontae school of Korean Buddhism ☸️ Although the architecture of Guinsa follows that of many other Buddhist temples in Korea, it is also markedly different in that the structures are several stories tall, instead of the typical one or two stories that structures in many other Korean temples have. It creates a visual experience that is both beautiful and unique from what one sees at other temples in Korea. Up to 10,000 monks can live here at any one point while the kitchen can serve food for twice that number when needed . This impressive three Story Pagoda is the Daejosajeon (대조사전) or Great Teacher Hall near the top of the valley . The temple was established by Monk Sangwol Wongak, who first created a small cottage of arrowroot vine at the site as a place to practice asceticism. After receiving revelation about the truths of the universe, the monk created Guinsa Temple in the spirit of celebration. Completed in 1945, the temple was renovated in 1966 using a concrete frame, which was a very unique and modern construction practice at the time . Cheontae’s roots date back 1,400 years in history to the Cheontae Mountain near the city of Taizhou, Zhejiang, in eastern China . Cheontae posits the following mindbending truths: • All things are empty and without essential reality. • All things have a provisional reality. • All things are both absolutely unreal and provisionally real at once --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/B_wreH6hfuV/

Buda or Pest? . The Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle, more commonly known as the Matthias Church or Mátyás-templom is a Roman Catholic church located in the Holy Trinity Square, Budapest in Hungary 🇭🇺 It is one of the city’s oldest buildings and it is located on the Buda hill in front of the Fisherman's Bastion at the heart of Buda's Castle District . The church houses the burials of Béla III of Hungary and his wife Agnes of Antioch, King of Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196. Matthias Church has witnessed several Royal weddings and coronations, including that of Charles I in 1916 the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . According to church tradition, it was originally built in Romanesque style in 1015. The current building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church of medieval Buda and the seventh largest church of the medieval Hungarian Kingdom . The building was transformed into a mosque during the Turkish reign; Matthias Church was brought back to its original majestic thanks to its restoration in the 19th Century. The roof is covered with the famous Zsolnay ceramic tiles, giving an extra touch of charm to the whole structure . Matthias church is home to the ecclesiastical art museum, showcasing several sacred relics and replicas of the Hungarian royal crown and coronation jewels . Note: this photo is from the archives since I am self isolating in Sigtuna, Sweden 🇸🇪 --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/B_K26tMhDRx/

Have you been on a house boat? . The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India 🇮🇳 as well as interconnected canals, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900km of waterways are sometimes compared to American bayous . The backwater regions of Kerala are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Tranquil backwater cruises are a once in a lifetime experience. Alappuzha, known as the 'Venice of the East', is especially popular for its houseboat cruises where you can soak in nature at its finest form. . The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes . Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape. . Note: this photo is from the archives since I am self isolating in Sigtuna, Sweden 🇸🇪 --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/B_AqupRB3KS/

**GIVEAWAY** . I've had so many wonderful comments about my stickers I thought I would share the love and give you the chance to win your very own Instagram sticker! I will work with one lucky winner to create their very own GIPHY sticker that can be used in Instagram stories. To enter; . 1️⃣ You must be following @abearcalledpaddington . 2️⃣ Like and comment on this post tagging at least three friends . **OPTIONAL - Want to double your chances?** 3️⃣ To gain an extra entry share this post in your stories with your favorite sticker . Entries are welcome until 14 April 2020 at 15:00 UTC / 17:00 CEST / 11:00 EDT / 08:00 PDT / 23:00 SGT / . One lucky winner will be drawn LIVE at random from all the entries . Small (paw) print - This contest is open to all PUBLIC Instagram accounts (as I cannot verify your entry if your account is private) . This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or GIPHY --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/B-yxQycBxxQ/

Do you see Wat I did there? . Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is a landmark temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭 It’s easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in the capital. Wat Arun nicknamed the 'Temple of Dawn' is partly made up of colorfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water . Wat Arun was envisioned by King Taksin in 1768. It’s believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was taken over by a Burmese army at the time, he arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. He later had the temple renovated and renamed it Wat Chaeng, the Temple of the Dawn. It used to be the home of the Emerald Buddha before the capital and Palace was moved to the other side of the river . Wat Arun is considered by many as one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. The prang or spire by the Chao Phraya is one of Bangkok's world-famous landmarks. The imposing prang rises over 70 meters high and is beautifully decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain placed delicately into intricate patterns . Note: this photo is from the archives since I am self isolating in Sigtuna, Sweden 🇸🇪 --------------------- posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/B-oui4OhDcE/