Trip to Ameland [2/2]
Been back to work for a week already since my vacation and as always I'm surprised how fast the routine sinks in again and I forgot all the good intentions about reordering my daily life after traveling, haha. Oh well, I'm a human of habits I guess. Here's the second part of my short trip to the island Ameland, these are the final two days in which I do more cycling and reading (in a bath with bubbles of course) plus a walking excursion through the dunes. Come explore some more with me!
Friday July 8 - Day 3: Cycling to the Lighthouse
Another delicious breakfast: a red fruit smoothy, chocolate milk, a pecan bun, blueberry and banana pancakes, a slice of sugarbread (a Frisian specialty:). Afterwards I make a nest on my bed and finish my third book on this vacation: Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever? by Dave Eggers, one of my favorite authors.
I have arranged an nature walk in the evening and this excursion starts from the Lighthouse on the West side of the island. Since there's no bus service to take me back to Nes afterwards, I'm cycling there. I decide to take a scenic route.
I get on my bike around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and cycle to South side of the island, where there's a bicycle path right next to the Wadden Sea!
There's a nice breeze and the view is amazing. Where the bicycle path bends to follow the coast (Ballumerbocht) stand a cool sculpture combo of dikeguards on the dike (De Dijkwachters by Frans Ram - 1991).
The tower of the tiny town Ballum was build in 1755; the 300kg bell is a replacement of the one that was stolen in 1784. Just like the tower in Nes, this one was raised in 1870 to serve as a beaken for ships.
The Galgeslootpad ends in a small oakforest, that you can see in the distance (the pictures I made cycling through are all blurry unfortunately). Once you get through that you get to this colourful heath.
Part of the tourist route was blocked for all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians (I love how they end with "U kunt er echt niet langs!!"; You really can't get past!! and I'm thinking how many people tried anyway (two riding by me right as I was deciding an alternative route *sighs*)
I simply cycled a little further to take the next road to the west; I didn't get lost, because in the distance you can already see the church tower in Hollum. Originally a catholic church, it dates back to the 16th century. After getting damaged in 1569 by the Watergeuzen (Dutch nobles fighting Spanish rule of Holland), it was restored for the protestants in 1678.
Wheat- & Mustard Mill De Verwachting ("Expectation") one of two windmills on the island, built in 1991 to commemorate the old flour mill that used to stand here from 1840-1949.
From here I decide to take the fastes route to the lighthouse (can you spot it in the distance) as time moves faster than I anticipated (or it's possible I move slower than I thought;). One final photostop for this old buoy.
1km to go, nearly there!
I have dinner at pancake restaurant 'Onder de Vuurtoren'; underneath the lighthouse:) I have a tasty pancake with bacon, raisins and cheese. Obviously I put all the available sugarsirop and powdered sugar on top, omnomnom.
Funky mermaid in the restaurant's garden. After dinner I walk up to the lighthouse.
The Ameland Lighthouse was built in 1880 by order of William III of the Netherlands, designed by Quirinus Harder. From here I go on a two hour hike through the small forest to the dunes. I'll let you enjoy the photos without my babbling;o)
It was a wonderful walk, but I was so happy to see the lighthouse again, because it was A LOT, especially after all the cycling I had already done (and that I did the day before, pfff). I opted out of the climb up the lighthouse, I really wouldn't have been able to get up and down those 236 steps and then cycle back to Nes. I guess I will have to go back to the island one day to see the view from the top.
I walk back to the pancake restaurant where I parked my bike and start the 10 km ride back to the hotel in Nes...
This time I'm taking the direct route; a bicycle path next to the car road. The views were amazing, but I was exhausted and took a break at every bench I came across, pfff.
Look at those gorgeous colours above and behind the clouds. *hearteyes*
Back at the hotel I use my fancy bubbles (salted caramel scent) for my bath and start a new book. Bliss.
Saturday July 9 - Day 4: Back on the boat
A big breakfast on my final day, but I take bits of it with me for traveling;)
I can take the rented bicycle up to the harbour and hand it in there, which is so much better than having to walk there (or take the long busroute). I love how well organized this island is for cyclists. <3<3
Tot Ziens Goodbye, Ameland.
There are a lot of scouting groups from Germany on the ferry. Fortunately I can still find a seat inside to have lunch (chocolatemilk, sausage roll, meatball and the egg I brought from breakfast;)
After lunch I climb to the top of the boat for a last view of the Wadden Sea; it's low tide, so now you can see how shallow the water is with all the sandy flats in there!
And then I notice a blob on one of the flats and when I zoom in with my camera I have proof that is an actual fact fluffy seal, yay! What a perfect finale of my trip!
Back on the mainland a little before 2 o'clock, I get on the bus to Leeuwarden (Frysk Ferfier is Frisian for 'Frisian transport', in Dutch: Fries vervoer), where I get on the train back hoooooome.
If you are a fan of nature, Ameland is definitely worth a visit. I understand summer can be quite crowded there, but it looks like it's a pretty awesome destination year round!
Picspam Day 1 + 2 [LJ]
J.
X-posted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/576229.html [
comments] Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
Friday July 8 - Day 3: Cycling to the Lighthouse
Another delicious breakfast: a red fruit smoothy, chocolate milk, a pecan bun, blueberry and banana pancakes, a slice of sugarbread (a Frisian specialty:). Afterwards I make a nest on my bed and finish my third book on this vacation: Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever? by Dave Eggers, one of my favorite authors.
I have arranged an nature walk in the evening and this excursion starts from the Lighthouse on the West side of the island. Since there's no bus service to take me back to Nes afterwards, I'm cycling there. I decide to take a scenic route.
I get on my bike around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and cycle to South side of the island, where there's a bicycle path right next to the Wadden Sea!
There's a nice breeze and the view is amazing. Where the bicycle path bends to follow the coast (Ballumerbocht) stand a cool sculpture combo of dikeguards on the dike (De Dijkwachters by Frans Ram - 1991).
The tower of the tiny town Ballum was build in 1755; the 300kg bell is a replacement of the one that was stolen in 1784. Just like the tower in Nes, this one was raised in 1870 to serve as a beaken for ships.
The Galgeslootpad ends in a small oakforest, that you can see in the distance (the pictures I made cycling through are all blurry unfortunately). Once you get through that you get to this colourful heath.
Part of the tourist route was blocked for all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians (I love how they end with "U kunt er echt niet langs!!"; You really can't get past!! and I'm thinking how many people tried anyway (two riding by me right as I was deciding an alternative route *sighs*)
I simply cycled a little further to take the next road to the west; I didn't get lost, because in the distance you can already see the church tower in Hollum. Originally a catholic church, it dates back to the 16th century. After getting damaged in 1569 by the Watergeuzen (Dutch nobles fighting Spanish rule of Holland), it was restored for the protestants in 1678.
Wheat- & Mustard Mill De Verwachting ("Expectation") one of two windmills on the island, built in 1991 to commemorate the old flour mill that used to stand here from 1840-1949.
From here I decide to take the fastes route to the lighthouse (can you spot it in the distance) as time moves faster than I anticipated (or it's possible I move slower than I thought;). One final photostop for this old buoy.
1km to go, nearly there!
I have dinner at pancake restaurant 'Onder de Vuurtoren'; underneath the lighthouse:) I have a tasty pancake with bacon, raisins and cheese. Obviously I put all the available sugarsirop and powdered sugar on top, omnomnom.
Funky mermaid in the restaurant's garden. After dinner I walk up to the lighthouse.
The Ameland Lighthouse was built in 1880 by order of William III of the Netherlands, designed by Quirinus Harder. From here I go on a two hour hike through the small forest to the dunes. I'll let you enjoy the photos without my babbling;o)
It was a wonderful walk, but I was so happy to see the lighthouse again, because it was A LOT, especially after all the cycling I had already done (and that I did the day before, pfff). I opted out of the climb up the lighthouse, I really wouldn't have been able to get up and down those 236 steps and then cycle back to Nes. I guess I will have to go back to the island one day to see the view from the top.
I walk back to the pancake restaurant where I parked my bike and start the 10 km ride back to the hotel in Nes...
This time I'm taking the direct route; a bicycle path next to the car road. The views were amazing, but I was exhausted and took a break at every bench I came across, pfff.
Look at those gorgeous colours above and behind the clouds. *hearteyes*
Back at the hotel I use my fancy bubbles (salted caramel scent) for my bath and start a new book. Bliss.
Saturday July 9 - Day 4: Back on the boat
A big breakfast on my final day, but I take bits of it with me for traveling;)
I can take the rented bicycle up to the harbour and hand it in there, which is so much better than having to walk there (or take the long busroute). I love how well organized this island is for cyclists. <3<3
Tot Ziens Goodbye, Ameland.
There are a lot of scouting groups from Germany on the ferry. Fortunately I can still find a seat inside to have lunch (chocolatemilk, sausage roll, meatball and the egg I brought from breakfast;)
After lunch I climb to the top of the boat for a last view of the Wadden Sea; it's low tide, so now you can see how shallow the water is with all the sandy flats in there!
And then I notice a blob on one of the flats and when I zoom in with my camera I have proof that is an actual fact fluffy seal, yay! What a perfect finale of my trip!
Back on the mainland a little before 2 o'clock, I get on the bus to Leeuwarden (Frysk Ferfier is Frisian for 'Frisian transport', in Dutch: Fries vervoer), where I get on the train back hoooooome.
If you are a fan of nature, Ameland is definitely worth a visit. I understand summer can be quite crowded there, but it looks like it's a pretty awesome destination year round!
Picspam Day 1 + 2 [LJ]
J.
X-posted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/576229.html [
comments] Lurk or comment wherever you like:)