英語時差：德國「翠綠島」使人遠離塵囂

The word hectic is unknown on the East Frisian islands off the northern coast of Germany and that applies to the cosy isle of Spiekeroog.

Guests that came here in 1846 described it as "less noisy and luxurious" than the other six islands. At first glance, nothing has changed much. There are no cars or any other motor vehicles on the island and even riding a bicycle is deemed to disturb the silence.

The island of only 820 people boasts plenty of woodland, thanks to a forestry director from Hanover who came as a guest in 1862 and could not resist planting little copses of pine, birch and oak trees. The islanders followed his example and today Spiekeroog is home to the long-eared owl.

The village church built in 1696 is the oldest house of worship in the East Frisian Islands. Among its treasures is a picture of the apostles said to have come from the flagship of the Spanish Armada, which sailed against England in 1588.

The best thing about Spiekeroog, however, is its tranquil landscape. The so-called "Ostplate" in the east with its wide sandy beaches can only be enjoyed on foot. The drift line is littered with objects abandoned by the waves. The sea shells pressed into the sand and intertwined in seaweed are so artistic and delicate that the visitor is loath to disturb them by pocketing a souvenir.