As kids our parents (may they rest in peace) went with us to the Island Helgoland in the North Sea. The Island with the clearest air, since there is nothing around it. That was perfect for me with my allergy. We went there a few times, the last time early 80s. The family we stayed at was the Wessels Family. Mr. Wessels was the oldest living original Helgoland resident with almost 96 years, til he passed by in 2006.
Since my brother turned 50 I deceided to make trip with my Brother to that little Island together again. I haven't been there since 2005, my brother since the early 80s.
So I booked the ferry, Hotel etc. and we made the trip on Sept.8th. Planned was til Sept. 10th, but due to some severe weather with cancelled ferry we decided to leave on the 9th in the evening already.
But those two days were just great. Lots of wonderful, funny memories. Places we visited with our parents that were still there or already gone.
The "Lange Anna" is the iconic landmark - a 47 meter high sea stack made of re
d Buntsandstein. We took pictures, we walked all around that little island, took the ship to the "Badeinsel" where the beaches and the little Airport are.
In the past they used the "Bördeboote" small boats with a powerful engine to unload / embark the ferries / little cruise ships. Since Corona that is more or less history and since the fishermen do not use them anyway anymore, there are just a few left. You can now book a extra trip with those little boats when the ship is now in the harbour.
Helgoland is still worth a trip. Our Hotel Meeresblick at the upper part of Helgoland hand nice little rooms and a very good breakfast buffet.
Since a storm was coming on Sept.10th we already got the mail, that our ferry at noon was cancelled. A ferry later was still scheduled, but not 100% sure that it will come. So we enjoyed the 9th til the evening and took the last ferry back to Wilhelmshaven. So the trip was half a day shorter, but we saw all we wanted to see.
We will be back, one day.
