To travel is to live: January 23 - Sunny day on Bodensee

After breakfast, we watched the Federer-Tsonga match (Australian Open). Sun was shining on the lake, but temperatures had tumbled, and it was very cold.

I looked at restaurants in Lindau on-line, and then Ron asked Annett her opinion of some of the highly-reviewed ones. She said their favorite was Valentin, and Harald gave us directions how to find it. They called and made us a 1 PM reservation.

We crossed the bridge onto the island of Lindau which is approximately .26 square miles, and found a parking lot outside the old city walls. We walked to the restaurant Valentin in the pedestrian zone. It was a modern ambiance, minamalist decor - everything white or cream. Waiters all in black. A change from the Bavarian decor.

Pat's hummer (lobster) bisque

Mary's Parmesan white-wine soup with basil bruschetta

Ron and Mary had spaghettini with garlic and cherry tomatoes

Pat's scrumptious creme brulee

After lunch we walked in the old town pedestrian area. Many beautiful, painted buildings from the 1700's.

Altes Rathaus

Rear of the Altes Rathaus

Mangenturm - it was a lighthouse in operation from 1180

We walked to the harbor and saw the famous old lighthouse (below) - (from 1753) and the Bavarian lion statue, sitting on a pedestal. It is made of marble and weighs 70-tons. It is apparently facing the Bank of Switzerland, but haven't yet found out the significance of that. It is surprising to all of us that Lindau and Wasserburg are part of Bavaria. Apparently we are just on the edge of Baden-Wurtemburg.

Harbor at Lindau on Bodensee

We stopped in an adorable cafe/shop for a beverage. The store was decorated with many chandeliers and there were interesting things for sale. Ron and Pat tried on some hats!