It was a long flight, and by the time we landed in Munich, we were exhausted. But we still had a bit of a drive to our first night's destination, Murnau. The family would be sight-seeing a bit before assembling in Bamberg for the reunion.

Humble Accomodations

Murnau is a sleepy little village on the northern shores of Staffelsee. The little pension (bed and breakfast) where we stayed offered modest though comfortable accomodations. For me, they were just perfect, as I had come down with something on the flight over. While my relatives went out to stroll along the lake shore, I decided I had to start my vacation getting a tad bit more rest.

Nobody likes getting sick on vacation, and I'm no exception. It turns out that on the evening of our arrival, the water was so calm that it was almost mirrorlike, but all I had the energy to do was to crawl under a feather comforter and get some rest. This picture from a few days later doesn't do justice to that tranquil first night, I'm told, but it does capture the spirit.

The Staffelsee at Murnau

Murnau at Sunset

One of the most exquisite sunsets I've ever seen happened over Murnau. We had come home from Linderhof and Ettal, and were ready to grab a bit of dinner at a local Gasthaus when the western sky exploded in bands and rays of color. My folks have gotten used to my insisting that we stop at a moment's notice in order to capture some scene or other, and sunsets are the most fleeting moments of all.