Vuurtoreneiland

Today I visited Vuurtoreneiland (lighthouse isle) with Marjolein and Gerrit. The island is part of a defensive ring of fortresses around Amsterdam. The only thing in use today though is the lighthouse but even that only by popular demand, not because the government thinks it's neccessary.

Currently the island is inhabited by sheep, birds and a few snakes. Once a month they allow 2 small ships (old ferries) to drop off about a hundred people each. You can see the old barracks, the ammo storage, old gun points (no guns though), the lighthouse and the house that the caretaker used to live in.

These kinds of places are interesting and fascinating. This blog shows the photos I made on this beautiful day. I hope you'll enjoy them :-)

PS: Click a photo to view a bigger version.

We left at the Bimhuis (aka "Muziek gebouw aan 't IJ").

Gerrit and Marjolein.

Amsterdam.

Old silos.

Durgerdam.

Vuurtoreneiland.

The lighthouse.

Being dropped off.

3 of the 4 ammo storages.

There are three of these semi circles that used to house 1 cannon each. They pointed towards the water because that's where the danger could come from back in the days.

This is my favourite photo.

At the back of the barracks.

This used to be the kitchen.

The loo.

Back of the barracks without people.

All 4 ammo stores.

Boarding already!

Bye bye Vuurtoreneiland!


Afterwards we went up to the bar of the Hilton hotel for a few drinks and to cool down. The view from upthere is amazing.

See for yourself:

I had a Heineken out of an aluminium bottle.

After the Hilton Gerrit went home and Marjolein and I went past my place first and then went for a bite at Wagamama.

Then we walked to Mulligans for a few drinks and some music. All the canals are beautiful now with the trees so green and the blue sky above.

Garreth was behind the bar. He's moving to Leiden in the near future so we won't be seeing much of him again I think. Pity, he's a nice bloke.