%t Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands, Earth
%n 6R96
%s Third Of The Northern Islands
%a Roel van der Meulen  (roel@megadodo.com)
%d 19970613
%d 20000728
%x Earth
%x Netherlands, A Native Writes About The
%x Netherlands, The
%x Tourists
%x Cycling In The Netherlands
%x Elvis Impersonations
%k Oerol, Festival, Europe, Beach, Hiking, Cycling, Island
%e
Terschelling, the third of northern islands of the Netherlands [1] (the
Waddeneilanden), is a perfect place for a long weekend, or a midweek out
of the rush.  The off-season is best [2]; not too many people there yet,
and you may even catch a ray of sun [3].

The island can be divided into roughly two parts:  the northern part, with
a very wide sandy beach (approximately 30 km long), and with dunes and
forests; and the southern part, which is mostly grassland for the keeping
of cattle and tourists.  The island is small, and so are the villages.


Where To Stay
=============
Numerous are the bungalow parks and camp sites, and hotels aren't difficult
to find either.  This probably means that in-season the island must be
swarming with tourists!


What To Do
==========
Nice things to do are hiking, horse-back riding and cycling.  A stroll
through the rugged dune area is an experience you shouldn't miss.  Also, in
an hour and a half you can cycle from one end of the island to the other.
Don't forget to dress for cold weather on that occasion, because there is
always wind.

After traversing the barren wastelands of the dunes, territory of breeding
birds, rabbits, and birds of prey, you can recuperate at the Heartbreak 
Hotel.  This is a little beach-restaurant dedicated to The King.  You can 
get interesting snacks there, such as a Terschelling tosti [4] and a 
cranberry milkshake.  Yes, cranberries!  The story goes that a barrel of 
cranberries once washed ashore, and since then the island has them 
everywhere!  Cranberry products, I mean.

It being the last restaurant before the next island, Heartbreak Hotel is also
the place where beach sailors go to get a snack; land yachting on a three
wheeled and wind-surf sail driven cart, and flying kites are also popular
activities in these parts.


Oerol Festival
--------------
Every year there is a festival on Terschelling called "Oerol".  The _whole
island_ becomes the stage for open-air performances:  dance, music, art,
and street theatre.  There are things to watch and listen to everywhere!
It takes place somewhere mid-June.  Important to know is that the program
is only available on the island itself, and tickets have to be bought for
the major performances.  Still, there are plenty of free happenings left
if you don't succeed in getting any.


Night Life
----------
West Terschelling is the largest town on the island and, small as it is,
logically about the only place where there is some night life.  As I said,
the place is small, so everything should be easy to find.


The View
--------
The view from the island is beautiful; to the north there is the wild North
Sea, to the south the Shallows with stretches of glimmering water.  Even
further you can see the main land, Friesland, and the beautiful Dutch
clouds.  On nice days you can see many traditional sailing ships going back
and forth.

From far out at sea and from almost everywhere on the island, especially at
night, you can see the very old and sturdy lighthouse of West Terschelling, 
the Brandaris.  It has a typical square shape which reminds you of the days
when there was only a fire on top.


How To Get Around
=================
Forget about cars:  they're expensive to bring onto the island.  Just rent a
bike:  everything is close by.  Taxis and buses are available too.


How To Get There
================
In Harlingen, Friesland, take either the fast (45 min.) or the slow (2
hours) ferry to West Terschelling.  The slow one goes to Vlieland first
though.  The boat zig-zags across the Waddenzee, home of seals who bask
in the sunlight (when there is some) on the many mud-flats (wadden).  The
sea is pretty shallow; with a guide it is possible, during low-tide, to
walk to one of the islands over the shallows - an activity known as
wadlopen.


How To Get Back
===============
The fast boat, the koegelwiek, transporting only passengers, can only be
reserved on the day you take it, so get up really early (before 8 o'clock!)
Details can be found at the tourist information (VVV).  It is wise to visit
them, because the ferry schedule can change at short notice.  [5]

[1] Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog.
[2] Note:  I have only been here in the off-season.
[3] Actually, it is said that there is twice as much sun here than in
    the rest of the Netherlands!  Combined with the extra wind it is, on
    average, a drier place too.
[4] Tosti:  grilled sandwich, standard with cheese and ham.
[5] Link to more information about the island: 
    http://dit.is/terschelling
%e
EOA*