Pic Spam: Sylt

[selenak]

This last week the Aged Parents whisked me away to a childhood paradise of mine. When I was little, we used to go to the island Sylt and stay in the tiny flat of a friend of ours who gave it to us for free. We haven't done that for many decades, but there was a free week for all three of us and thus we decided on the spot. While it's extremely windy right now at the Northern Sea and thus not conductive to lying around on a beach, it's great weather for walking around, and that is what we did this last week. (And will do today; tomorrow it's travelling time again.) Here are some pictorial impressions of my childhood Arcadia to share with you, starting with what it looks like when you're leaving it:






Sylt for the most part is a long stretched island where it's very easy to get from one coast to the other. As can be demonstrated by this overlook:



The beaches where people camp out are on the western side. While there were due to the wind and the temperature only hikers, like us, walking, there were also a few surfers complete with kites, and thus I found out there is such a thing as kite surfing. One I observed was even drawn up in the air for a few metres, but alas I didn't catch that.




You've got to admit those beaches are pretty spectacular.





On to the eastern side of the island, where the sea is somewhat calmer.



This is what it looks like at low tide. Popular for hiking and riding.






The northern end of island is in fact the most northern point of Germany. It's called "ellbow" of the island because of its shape and also has great looking beaches, but you're not allowed to swim there even in mild weather, there are too many leftovers of old ruined dams in low water.



You can fish, though.





Other than fish, the dish of choice for people in Sylt is mutton because ther are a lot of sheep.





And a lot of lighthouses, for obvious reasons. Have one close up.




Yesterday we took the boat and had a look at some of the smaller islands around Sylt. The most popular, again due to its beach, is Amrum.






Then there are really small islands called the Halligen.






One Hallig contains the smallest voting parish anywhere in Germany - just nine people.




Sights you encounter when the tide is low: wagons waiting:



And seals!










Also inevitable, when travelling by boat: sea gulls. One remained with us for a considerable while.





Now we were on a boring modern passenger ship, but there are also the old fashioned variety around, which make for my final images of Sylt:

Comments

[littlerhymes]

Those beaches look amazing. The sky is so huge!

[selenak]

It is amazing, especially for a southerner like myself who is used to hills and mountains. Which is why Sylt and its beaches were such a marvel to me as a child. (They still are, even with much of the world to compare.)

[blueswan]

That's a beautiful place. This armchair traveller thanks you.

[selenak]

You're welcome!