Netherlands > Fire on the Ferry

The last day has already arrived. Before heading to breakfast, we place our bags at the reception. At nine o’clock, our luggage will be collected by the bike rental company. We still have some time left on the island. “Which ferry are you taking?” asks the boy at the reception. He tells us that there was a fire on Saturday evening in the engine room of one of the ferries. Some sailings might be cancelled, he warns. Fortunately, the internet provides clarity: an extra ferry from Schiermonnikoog has been deployed, meaning the schedule from Ameland remains unchanged. We plan to take the one o’clock ferry. At half past nine, we check out. We cycle once more towards Ballum. Just outside Ballum, at the Roosduinen, there is a nature reserve.

Netherlands - The nature reserve Rose dunes on Ameland

A walking route of just over seven kilometres runs through it. The Roosduinen are located in the middle of the island, making the landscape here drier. Boots are not necessary. We walk among the pine trees and across the heath. We pass over a cattle grid and enter an area with grazing animals. The sun reflects in the small ponds scattered around. Around half past eleven, we are back at our bikes. We ride along the Wadden Sea dike back to the harbour. We return the bikes to the rental company, where our luggage is already waiting for us. We are early for the one o’clock ferry, but we already see many people waiting.

Netherlands - By boat back to the mainland

It turns out the half-past-eleven ferry is running with a significant delay. We join the line of waiting passengers and can board almost immediately. This is the ferry de Monnik, the replacement vessel for the Schiermonnikoog route. The damaged ferry, which caught fire in the engine room on Saturday, lies idle at the quay. Because the replacement ferry is smaller than the regular one, it is crowded on board. We find seats on the upper deck. Soon, all the seats inside and outside are taken, and several people are left standing. Over half an hour earlier than planned, we arrive in Holwerd. We pick up the car and head for home. We look back on a wonderful weekend on Ameland. Especially thanks to the beautiful weather, it was a lovely Easter weekend.