The interview was conducted by Mr. Koprek on behalf of SEMSEO GmbH for usedom.de on July 18, 2019.
Face of the Island: ISLAND SAFARI with Gunnar Fiedler
Magazine
24.07.2019, Usedom Tourismus GmbH
Gunnar Fiedler offers a variety of island safaris on Usedom. In an authentic off-road vehicle, you can explore the island’s charming corners, which are located away from the crowded tourist hotspots. And they've been doing this for a full 20 years!
Usedom isn't Africa, but...
Mr. Fiedler, you offer island safaris on Usedom. What exactly do you mean by that?
On the island safaris, you travel in a small group of six or seven people. If there are children, maybe eight. We always travel in short stretches in a Land Rover Defender along dirt roads and meadow paths, making frequent stops and taking short hikes along the way. This is how guests get to know the island’s diversity.
The topics covered on these tours are wide-ranging: flora, fauna, the land and its people, stories about the island, anecdotes, and more. Before you know it, the day flies by, and you’re amazed to discover that Usedom has so much more to offer than just 40 kilometers of sandy beaches or its seaside resort architecture.
It’s a phenomenon on Usedom that 80 to 90 percent of people stay along the coastline, even though the average vacationer has become more active. There are now many cyclists and hikers. But most are down at the beach, and very few know what little treasures are still hidden here in our inland areas. We show these treasures to our guests.
In Africa, safari participants want to see lions, elephants, and giraffes. What can you offer your guests?
Of course, we don’t have the Big Five here on Usedom, but when it comes to the landscape, we can easily hold our own against Africa. We have picturesque little lakes with white-tailed eagles circling overhead, deep forests, enchanted marshes, and plenty of wildlife. These are all things that a first-time visitor to Usedom wouldn’t even imagine.
The tours last seven to ten hours. That sounds pretty long at first…
That’s a common fear shared by many prospective participants, but it doesn’t turn out to be true. The day flies by on an island safari like this. Groups can, of course, also book a shorter tour. In our experience, however, they end up regretting that decision afterward. They simply didn’t realize how entertaining the whole experience actually is, because the tours are so incredibly varied.
Do you always take the same tour, or are there variations?
About 20 percent of the guests who ride with us are regulars. If we always took the same tour, we wouldn’t be able to make a living off of them. Just a week ago, I had guests who made me a wonderful gift for our 20th anniversary and have now taken their 13th tour with us. On all these tours, we’ve still managed to pack in something new.
So which tour we take depends, among other things, on what the guests have already seen and what their interests are. That’s the most important thing. And then, of course, the weather always plays a role, too.
We've got you covered when it comes to food and drinks, too!
You offer an all-inclusive package that includes pickup and meals. What kind of culinary experiences can guests expect on the island safari?
During a tour, guests have access to our onboard bar practically at any time. We offer coffee, tea, juices, and water—and if you’d like to enjoy a cold beer as early as 11:00 a.m., you’re welcome to do so. White wine, red wine, and schnapps are also available.
Around lunchtime, we stop at an idyllic spot for a really lovely picnic, featuring bread, rolls, sausage, cheese varieties, hard-boiled eggs, jams, cream cheese, fruit, and vegetables. Everything you’d want to eat outdoors while enjoying the fresh air. This includes many regional and homemade items.
In the afternoon, we serve homemade cake. For those who’ve booked a longer tour, we’ll serve an al fresco dinner instead of cake. For example, we might pan-fry fish, serve a smoked fish platter with various types of fish, herring salads, and much more. Of course, if you’re less into fish and more into meat, just let us know, and we’ll be happy to accommodate you.
What has been your most exciting, funniest, or most terrible experience on an Island Safari so far?
That’s a little hard to answer off the top of my head, but one terrible experience comes to mind. I once had a tour where someone sitting next to me managed not to say a single word the entire day. That’s difficult, of course, because I couldn’t figure out at all what that person’s interests and needs were. You basically have to play the entertainer for seven hours. And that’s really tough.
The crazy thing about the story: When I got home that evening, I told my dad that it had been a hard day at work. My dad—who started the Island Safari—told me that the very person who’d been on the tour with me that day had just called. He’d enjoyed it so much that he’d booked another tour for next week right away. “Well, then you’re the one driving!” I told my dad. And a week later, that same guest was a total chatterbox.
What's really nice are the experiences I have when I basically watch children grow up because they come along regularly. Naturally, you develop a certain bond with them.
Usedom is my home
What is your connection to Usedom? Were you born and raised here?
My parents met in Leipzig while they were in college, and that’s where I was born. My mother is from Wolgast, and my father is from Lusatia. My parents eventually decided to settle in Wolgast. I moved here when I was three, grew up here, and have remained loyal to the island ever since.
How would you describe the people of Usedom? What are their key character traits, and what quirks and peculiarities would you attribute to the island’s residents?
It takes a little while to warm up to the people, but once you’ve broken through that initial barrier, they’re truly kind-hearted folks. Otherwise, the people of Pomerania are very hardworking. Of course, it’s not quite that simple up here, because career options are limited. Tourism is the most important economic sector.
Where do you go on Usedom when you want to enjoy a really delicious meal?
The Bauernstube in Morgenitz serves fantastic fish. It’s a great spot. And at the Deutsches Haus in Ückeritz, everyone has known ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall that you can get a decent meal here. We really enjoy going there, too.
What’s your personal favorite spot on Usedom?
Actually, people are usually reluctant to reveal their favorite spots because, of course, they’d rather be there alone. But one of my favorite places is the Südspitze Gnitz Nature Reserve on a peninsula. It’s in a stunningly beautiful setting, but unfortunately, it's currently somewhat ruined by wolf-proof fences.
Thank you very much for the interview!
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