We are Odette van der Lans (1972) and Paul Bol (1970) from Rotterdam, and since June 2023, we’ve had the pleasure of continuing the Goudberg Apartments.
Lex and Max are also part of the family. Our two Labradors, aged 6 and 3, are true friends to all and have been trained to work as therapy dogs. You won’t often find them roaming freely on the property due to the nearby road.
How it all began...
In the 1920s, a real bakery stood where the holiday homes are now — from a time when even the smallest hamlets had at least two or three bakers. After the families Stada, van Galen, and Stol each ran their bakeries here, the rise of supermarkets brought a new direction: Physiotherapy Hesselink. What Mr. Hesselink didn’t anticipate was that the local island doctors at the time didn’t see any value in “healing massages.” They felt it added little for patients. But what the physiotherapist did recognize was the potential in renting out apartments — and thus, the first two rental properties on the Goudberg grounds were created.
The Contracting Business
In the end, the income wasn’t sufficient for Hesselink, and he returned to the mainland. That’s when Baaiduinen 37 was taken over by Durk Goudberg, who had started his agricultural contracting business on Terschelling in 1958. Other local farmers also needed such services, and in 1965 Durk decided to settle permanently on the island.
The Goudbaai
In 1979, son Bertus took over the house and expanded it into what it is today. The barn was renovated, and two apartments were added — later merged into a spacious 7-person accommodation called De Skuorre. In 1996, another barn with a small office was built on the property. This barn served for many years as a “clubhouse” — a place full of warm memories for many regular guests. When the neighboring house, Baaiduinen 35, went up for sale in 2016, Bertus didn’t hesitate and bought the land behind it. A new path, parking spaces, and an extra barn named “Chilly Bay” were added.
All in all, a beautiful and lovingly cared-for property, maintained with dedication for 44 years by Bertus and Brechtje — the Goudbaai.