Helgoland (Heligoland) is a piece of red rock in the North Sea, about 63 km (40 mi) to the northwest of Cuxhaven. The island is only 1.7 square-km (0.7 sq mi) in area with a population of about 1500. The neighbouring islet of Düne was created when surge from the 1721 New Year’s Day storm submerged the land connection with Helgoland. Helgoland has the towering red cliffs; Düne has lots of fine white sand.
538am: the sun rises over Düne.
823am, memorial to Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, who in 1841 on visit to Helgoland wrote the text to Germany’s national anthem.
828am, Hafenstrasse: the former lobster shacks (Hummerbuden) have been put to good commercial use.
909am, after the 10-minute shuttle ferry to Düne, there’s this morning view of Helgoland.
1121h, Dünen Südstrand: high tide 1319h, low tide 1959h, ocean temperature +13C (56F).
54 degrees & 11 minutes North latitude; 7 degrees & 53 minutes East longitude.
1710h, Oberland, down into Unterland and the islet of Dünen across the channel.
Oberland: Brits’ post-war attempt to blow up the island failed, but one of their 5000-kg bombs made a “Big Bang”, resulting in this crater tens of metres across.
Oberland: the red cliffs are home to northern gannets and guillemots.
Northern gannets (Basstölpel). Many “nesting” mounds visible; some with eggs laid, others with hatched chicks.
1846h Oberland: sharing the small red island.
I made all images above with an iPhone15 on 24 May 2024. Listed times are in CEDT. This post composed with Jetpack for iOS appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com.
It’s entirely possible a title of a music album prompted my curiosity about a place, way out in the middle of an open sea.
I’m on FRS Helgoline’s Halunder Jet catamaran from Hamburg to Helgoland. It’s a 3.5-hour journey that goes downstream on the mighty Elbe river before entering the North Sea.
During the cruise, the forward upper-deck is closed (to minimize traffic and, frankly, wind), whereas observation decks aft are open.
Helgoland (Heligoland) is a piece of red rock jutting up and out of the North Sea, about 155 km (96 mi) and 63 km (40 mi) to the northwest of Hamburg and Cuxhaven, respectively. The island is only 1.7 square-km (0.7 sq mi) in area with a population of about 1500.
The album in question is “Heligoland”, by Massive Attack, released in 2010.
Halunder Jet catamaran about to dock and take on passengers. The Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic) building is at upper left.
The 2018 ship: 56 metres (185 feet) in length, top speed of 36 knots (41 mph, 67 km/h), and maximum 690 passengers.
Upper deck, premium class: available at no charge non-alcoholic beverages and fresh fruit.
Coffee was the first thing I chased down after finding my booked/reserved seat.
The lead story in today’s edition of the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper is the 75th anniversary of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) for the Federal Republic of Germany, first established in 1949.
Other food options are available to order and delivered to seat; I got currywurst with potato salad.
On approach to Cuxhaven.
“Maersk Brani” container ship (IMO 9409352, MMSI 564399000, registered in Singapore): leaving the Elbe for North Sea, en route to Antwerp.
Stop in Cuxhaven to pick up more passengers. Many on board are day-tripping to Helgoland; same-day cruise times are designed for about a 3- to 4-hour stay.
Leaving the mainland behind with Cuxhaven’s Kugelbake structure at left, next to the beaches at right.
“Hudson Express” container ship (IMO 9349564, MMSI 368359000, registered in the USA) for Hapag-Lloyd: leaving Elbe for North Sea, en route to London Gateway (Thames).
About 5 km from destination: Helgoland and Düne, at left and right, respectively.
Helgoland’s main harbour.
With many disembarking, I’m last to leave, which means I have this view from the ship’s upper deck to the brightly-coloured former fishing shacks.
I made all images above with an iPhone15 on 23 May 2024. I am not sponsored nor supported by any organization for this post. This post composed with Jetpack for iOS appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com.
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