Day 9: Harlesiel- Wangerooge - Harlesiel (18 km)

Unfortunately, we received the sad news this morning that our friend has passed away. Martin, we wish you a safe journey!😪

Our day started with breakfast and then a walk to the harbor. The ferry didn't depart until 11:30 am due to the tides. There are two low tides and one high tide every day, and they occur at different times. Suddenly, we are confronted with the laws of physics - fascinating.

We are sailing with low water, as can be seen in the video Aad took. There is mud all around, and we are navigating through a narrow channel.

During the journey, the captain tells us about the island (using the example of imported sausages as a funny anecdote about what needs to be imported to the island) and shares details about the ships in the German Bight.

Upon arrival on the island, there are only three options for transportation: the narrow-gauge train, renting bicycles on the island, or walking. Of course, we choose the latter option! Sorry, flying is also an option. 🫣

We hike towards the Westerturm, a tower built for the Hitler Youth as an example of the old towers that used to serve various purposes. Today, it is used as a youth hostel and unfortunately, we cannot access it.

Wangerooge is the oldest of the dune islands and is car-free. The dune nature here is completely different, but equally enchanting and fragile. And we are constantly accompanied by the intoxicating scent of wild roses and elderflowers. Moreover, the different shades of green, blue, and brown - a gathering of colors.

Here we can see beach lavender, beach wormwood, purslane, sea buckthorn, elderflower, sea holly, sea oatgrass...

We see and hear many birds here. I will write about them tomorrow.

The weather is beautiful again - we are enjoying every meter!

So we circumnavigate the island until we reach the village of Wangerooge, have a drink in memory of Martin, and then head to the train station because (due to the tides) the boat has to leave at 3:45 pm.

The return boat ride takes half the time because we now have high tide and a tailwind.

Back in Harlesiel, we need to find a bank to withdraw cash for our accommodation. After that, we raise a glass to a beautiful day and once again to Martin.

We have dinner again at the coastal smokehouse, and then it's time to pack because tomorrow we leave early for Langeoog.

___

We started the day with the sad news that our friend Martin has passed away. Our thoughts are with you!

We then had breakfast and prepared for the walk on Wangerooge

The ferry departs at 11:30 am. This is mainly due to the tides, where there are 2 low tides and 1 high tide, suddenly we have to deal with the laws of nature, exciting!

We are sailing with low tide! You can see it well in the video I made (unfortunately, I now see that you cannot upload videos...), everything around is mud and we are sailing very slowly through a narrow channel.

During the journey, the captain tells us a bit about the island (with Bockwurst as a hilariously recurring example of how and what needs to be imported to the island) and other interesting details, for example about the ships in the German Bight.

When we arrive on the island, there are 3 ways to get around: by narrow-gauge train, by bike rented on the island, or on foot.

Of course, we choose the latter! And walk towards the Westertoren, a tower built for the Nazi Youth on the model of the old tower that used to serve all kinds of things, and now serves as a youth hostel.

It's beautiful weather again and the surroundings are fantastic! we enjoy every meter

We see and hear a lot of birds! I will write tomorrow which ones.

So we walk around the island to the village of Wangerooge, here we have a beer in memory of Martin, and then walk to the train station because (because of the tides) the boat has to leave already at 3:45 pm.

The boat takes half the time back because it is now high tide and we have tailwind... only the Bockwurst does not get on this ship (we were warned by the previous captain!)

Arriving at Harlesiel, we have to withdraw cash to pay for the hotel and then raise a glass to a beautiful day and once again to Martin.

We eat deliciously again at the smokehouse and then it's time to pack, because tomorrow we leave early for Langeoog.