Hiddensee
Wednesday 15 July
Next morning we are up early to catch the 9,15 boat from Stralsund to
the island of Hiddensee. No cars are allowed on Hiddensee, so the ferry
is filled with people out for the day and a few bicycles. We arrive at
the southernmost village of Neuendorf at around 10,45 where we get off.
The ferry also touches in at Vitte and Kloster, the two other villages
on Hiddensee before returning to Stralsund. At all three villages there
are numerous places where you can rent a bike which is the favourite mode
of transport on the island. There is also a horse-drawn carriage service
which will take you from one end of the island to the other. Or you can
just walk, as many do. The ferry returns at around 4,30 which easily gives
you time to walk from Neuendorf in the south to Kloster in the north, and
go back to Stralsund from there.
Accomodation is not so easy, as we find out. We try around in Neuendorf
without any luck. The problem is that there are only a very few signs with
"Zimmer" out, fewer than are on the list of rooms to rent which we have
bought in Stralsund. At the same time, in Neuendorf at least, no road names
can be found, indeed it is difficult to talk of roads at all, the houses
lie spread out over a large area of grass with no discernible boundaries
between them. We give up in Neuendorf and proceed to Vitte (pronounced
Fitte), a lovely ride of about 5-6 kms where we meet or pass masses of
people, walking and cycling. Vitte has more the look of a village with
a centre close to the harbour. Here we find the "Zimmer Vermittlung" for
all Hiddensee and ask for their help. They have only three or four rooms
available, all for a minimum period of three days, and all rather expensive.
We decide to go for the three days - the island looks so lovely, and the
feeling of no cars is very peaceful. We end up in a hotel in Kloster, the
next village after Vitte. The room is nice enough, with a decent bath,
and anyway, we are going to be out most of the time (480 DM for 3 days).