Chiemsee

Chiemsee itself is a lake about 90 minutes east of Munich. The two main islands are Frauenchiemsee (women's island) and Herrenchiemsee (men's island), so named because of the convent on the former and a monastery on the latter. Our meeting took place at the convent on Frauenchiemsee.

The convent was a beautiful, peaceful place, with grass and flowers...and even wireless! This was taken right outside the door that led to our rooms. Our meeting took place in the building across the courtyard.

Jonah and his whale swim through the grass.

Looking back toward the building that housed our rooms. The sculpture is a symbol of overcoming the faults and burdens given in life.

Two saints overlook the fabled building of wireless Internet, our only lifeline to the outside world and our endless e-mail inboxes. Directions to the room included, "Turn left at the statue of the virgin Mary."

The belltower chimed several times throughout the day, though to my surprise, it was neither intrusive nor annoying.

After arriving, we had some downtime, so we took a walk around the island. Other than the convent, there's a small fishing village of a couple hundred people. The walk took less than 15 minutes.

At one point, I wondered what it would be like to have tourists walking by my house several times throughout the day.

The strange, white-faced duck that boggled our minds. I still don't know what species it is. (There were Mallards too, but I didn't go all the way to Germany to see Mallards.)

The second and third days were cold, cloudy, and drizzly. Made for some nice mountain pictures, even if I did freeze my butt off.

The massive roses of doom were everywhere. And so pretty.

Three of our group loitering in front of the restaurant where the nuns kindly fed the hungry astronomers every day. All I can say is German food = yum! (Though, I'm sorry, I can't handle sauerkraut. *shudder*)

My attempt at being artsy. Not sure if I succeeded. Eh, I like the picture anyway.

Mountains! Lake! Boat! (I.e. aren't you used to my crazy random pictures yet?)

Well, I got almost everyone in this picture on the ferry back to the mainland. Don't ask me what Dave's doing; I don't know.

A final shot of the fishing village with an Alp centered nicely. (I sure can dry out a picture, can't I?)

Next:  Konigssee, Part I