Thursday, March 15, 2012 Something completely different for a change. I've just returned from a day long conference held at this place, The Varberg Spa and Cure Hotel in Varberg, province of Halland, located half way between Malmö and Gothenburg, Sweden. On my previous visit 5 years ago I didn't have a camera with me! The hotel was originally a military barracks and training school constructed in the mid 1800s. After the disbanding of the regiment the buildings were put to different uses. Since the 1930s, the place has been a hotel of considerable size. More recently, some of the buildings have been sold and remade to apartment buildings. However, the main building is huge. One large wing is completely devoted to cure and spa treatments and includes a large indoor pool. The hotel has its own beach for swimming in the ocean in warm weather. There's a large staff comprising doctors, physical and occupational therapists, psychiatrists, massage therapists, etc... The Spa has received the distinction of being the best in Sweden (and, by extension, in Scandinavia). It has a rotating booking schedule since people from different parts of the country want to come. The photo montage shows the main entrance and the reception in the upper two photos. The lower left photo shows the lobby just behind the reception. The large room behind the doors surmounted by Tiffany glass is one of two large dining rooms. The lower right photo is looking to the left in the lobby showing a few of the sitting groups and the stairs to the second floor. The lobby is much darker than in the photos - my camera flash is responsible for the brightness of the photos. After the conference I had to leave quickly, so I couldn't get any photos of the spa area. The conference went well, though there was a quite intense debate over a topic that's been contentious to a certain competing school. The problem was solved by a compromise. Enjoy the environment! I certainly did! Tomorrow, back to ships!