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Halligen’s Island

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship. Does that ring any bells, Cap’n? If you lived in North America or Canada in the 1960’s you’ll know that song – the theme from Gilligan’s Island. So, with that rather tenuous connection to our post today, let’s update the location and the time frame. Here, we feature a real place with real people and, unfortunately, a real problem. The sixteen residents who dwell on the tiny German island of Oland must deal with extreme flooding almost daily. But that doesn’t mean that they’re going to give up. Far from it. Watch the video below.

For background, Oland is a small hallig which is connected by a narrow-gauge railway to the mainland and to hallig Langeneß. In 2019, the population was estimated, unofficially, to be 16 people. Germany’s smallest lighthouse is located here, being also the only one with a thatched roof. That’s noteworthy.

The ever curious Tom Scott is on the ball with this, too. Watch above for more about this enigmatic place.

Hiring a camper is probably the best way to get to this rather remote gem. Click here to look and book.

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