Abenteuer Achtundzwanzig: Blumeninsel

WARNING: this post contains a plethora of pictures of pretty flowers and not much else. If flowers bore you--TOO BAD. Go read something else!

Ok. This was an adventure from a long time ago. One weekend, I decided to go visit the "Flower Island" (Blumeninsel) in Konstanz, Germany. (Gonna keep the writing on this post pretty short because I have A LOT of more interesting things to write about). 

Anyway, the Flower Island was basically exactly what you would expect--and island full of flowers.

Luckily for me, my visit was also the weekend of a big German cultural festival (of some kind--don't ask me what), so I got to see a bunch of stereotypical-looking Germans running around, as well.

When I got there, these were the first people I saw:

The Blumeninsel is located just off the shores of the Bodensee. Crossing the bridge to the island, I got a pretty nice view of the  lake. 

My friend Gary got to go for a swim: 

When I got to the island, I was greeted by this:

 

And this: 

Another cultural reenactor. Also the first time I've ever stared down the barrel of a gun. 

And these:

Blumeninsel: the aptly named  

Throughout the day I encountered many different German cultural exhibitions--Blassorchestern ("Oompa bands"), choirs, and dance groups were performing all over the island. The first group I stumbled across, quite accidentally, was a group of slap-dancers. 

I'm glad I got to see some stereotypically German things. 

From there, I explored a bit more. 

All fear the mighty Topiary Duckasaurus!!!!

Topiary Peacock

The Blumeninsel also had a lot of cool stuff for kids, including a petting zoo and the coolest model train EVER. 

Stopping to smell the flowers

A remarkable view--see that dark spot in the sky? That's a blimp 

Tree bridge 

What exactly is the melting point of Alpaca? 

Getting "a head"

Eventually I stumbled back across the main path. There, I found treasure. 

I couldn't believe the brightness of all of the different flowers 

Ever seen a black tulip before?

Mini-waterfall.

I visited the Blumeninsel just after the dutch Tulip Festival--fortunately for me, the Blumeninsel in Konstanz has an agreement with the Dutch government permitting them to grow all kinds of rare Dutch tulips. 

About half of the gardens were solely devoted to tulips when I visited. 

A map of the Bodensee constructed entirely from flowers. 

Palm trees in Germany. Who'd have thought?

The center of the island is occupied by a small hill which houses a few museums and medieval watch towers. It was my next destination. 

 At the top of the hill, there were even more tulips. 

A lookout point 

If you're sick of flowers at this point--tough! I warned you! 

Huuuuuuuuge tracks of tulips

A medieval watch tower--as promised 

A bell-band concert in front of the main building.

From there, I headed back down the hill. On my way back, I encountered a Saint Bernard puppy who had decided the waterfall was the only bathtub sizable enough for a dog of his stature. 

 I left the Blumeninsel and headed back to Konstanz about a couple hours before my train. The spare time gave me a chance to get a quick look around the town. 

Spoiler alert--it's pretty.