Island hopping in North Frisia // Day 1 // Off to Sylt

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

So far, I only knew Heligoland - my meager 'German island knowledge' will now be greatly improved, because on this vacation I will visit 3 islands! Total island hopping in North Frisia.

3 nights in Sylt, 2 nights in Föhr, 2 nights in Amrum. In between, various 'mini-cruises' by ferry. I found it funny to read that the three islands are like three very different sisters. Sylt, the decadent one with lots of gold accessories. Föhr, the solid one with a tax consultancy training. And Amrum, the natural beauty without makeup. I still laugh about it, but after a week up there, I can clearly say: it's true ;-)!

For me, it went from big (Sylt) to small (Amrum), from lively to peaceful, from 'There's always something new to see here, where should I go next?' to 'I actually know everything now, I'll just take the same path for the fourth time because it's so great'. It would have been ideal to be able to spend another 2 nights in Sylt after Amrum. There was still so much to see, 3 days just weren't enough. But you don't want to be greedy ;-). I really liked all 3 sisters, each in their own way - and the vacation was a consistently great experience!

BEEP BEEP BEEP...THE ALARM CLOCK IS RINGING UNMERCIFULLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

The IC train with a direct connection from Cologne to Westerland departs at 05:09 am. Why did I voluntarily book that? I don't remember exactly. But luckily Starbucks and Kamps at the main train station are already open, so I stocked up on compensation and reward coffee, cinnamon rolls, and croissants. And after I 'occupied' my seat on the still very empty train (it was packed by Münster at the latest, average age 60+), it wasn't so bad anymore. The journey was already part of the vacation. And the best thing about getting up early: you also arrive early at your destination, we'll already be on Sylt by noon.

FIRST ENCOUNTER: HÖRNUM, SANSIBAR, AND RANTUM

So here I am - on Sylt. With a lot of prejudices. I've heard a lot, but the paradise for the beautiful and wealthy didn't interest me much before.
Before Westerland, everyone warned me, 'crowded', 'too touristy', 'that's not the real Sylt'. Ok, you should trust the experts, I storm out of the train directly to the bus station and go all the way down to Hörnum. Because you have to start somewhere on such a big island. The buses, by the way, work very well! There is a manageable number of bus routes and you can get almost anywhere with them. That's why I admit I didn't even use my bike on Sylt.

In Hörnum, it was finally time right behind the bus stop: beach! Sea! Beach chairs! Great! I've been looking forward to this for weeks:

First encounter with the beach in Hörnum

Lighthouse in Hörnum

Buddha at Sansibar

And then, after another bus ride, it was time to check in at the first accommodation in Rantum. Simple, but with nice hosts and super conveniently located right by the beach. Of course, I rushed straight there again. And behold: the sun was already there too!

AND TOMORROW...
The decadent time at A-ROSA in List begins, I'm excited!!