I barely escaped the rain on Juist, but here on Norderney, it finally caught up with me. The photos make it look harmless, but the moment I arrived, the sky opened up, and the rain came down in torrents.

Beachgoers hurriedly packed their things and left in a single-file march, abandoning the promenade and the shore. Minutes later, the island was deserted. No one in sight—just rain, wind, and the endless sea.

I wandered through the streets, past empty beach chairs, over rain-slicked boardwalks, through a spa district without a single guest. For two hours, Norderney belonged to me alone.

Then, the next ferry arrived—I stepped on board, and suddenly, the sky cleared. With my departure, the rain had apparently fulfilled its mission.