(Lake) Konnigsee in Bavaria, Germany

If you're, say, visiting Munich or Salzburg, and want to take a short sightseeing trip that could include hiking, boating, or simply standing in awe of the beauty of the Alps, then check this place out! 

You will not be disappointed! 

Situated in the far southeast corner of the German state of Bavaria, this little gem is perfectly shoved between the narrow pass of two jagged, alpine mountains. Lake Konnigsee is in the Berchtesgarden National Park, and while it's a relatively small body of water, it happens to be Germany's third deepest lake (random facts from wikipedia). 

At the end of last year, Chris and I had just moved to Regensburg, and Reece suggested a quick trip down to see the breathtaking Konnigsee (which literally translates to "king's lake"). We never hesitate when a new sightseeing destination is on the table, so naturally, we packed the car and headed south. 

The first thing you notice when walking up to the lake is the intense, aqua-green color of the water, oh and it's strangely clean. The lake is so clean in fact that it is said to be the cleanest lake in all of Germany. In order to keep up appearances, no fuel powered boats are allowed on the lake. In the summer, get extra exercise by rowing or paddling your way around the crystal clear lake, or do what we did, and take an electric powered passenger boat tour. If I remember correctly, the boat will put you back 12 - 18 Euros depending on the duration of the boat tour that you choose. We got off the boat at the beautiful, red domed church named St. Barthomoma, and we enjoyed a local beer at a nearby restaurant. And naturally, I took a million pictures.

We didn't have time to take a long hike, but next time we visit, I really want to hike Mount Jenner. I think it would be absolutely incredible to see Lake Konnigsee from above! Hopefully we will have time to go this summer! Another thing that we really want to see is Hitler's Eagles Nest, and if you're in this area, you're too close not to visit this historic piece of German history. Unfortunately, you can only reach it by bus or by hiking for 2-3 hours. If you want to figure out how to get to The Eagle's Nest, I found this post quite helpful. From the parking lot of Lake Konnigsee,  on a clear day, you can see The Eagles Nest. If you look at the last picture in this post, you will see it in the top left hand corner. You'll really have to look closely!

Our House Hunter's International Episode (Serbia -> Belgium)

Hello blog readers (and family and friends)!

Chris and I hope that you are doing well and thoroughly enjoying 2014! We have been quiet (on our little blog/journal) for a while because life has gotten quite busy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about that at all! In fact, I find that I feel incredible when I am really busy (I'm not speaking for Chris here - just for myself). Maybe I like being busy because I feel ultra productive? Maybe I get more done when I have a strict schedule to follow? Or maybe I am just wired to thrive under a little bit of pressure. In any case, a lot of people have asked if we would ever post our House Hunters International episode online, and after much ado, we finally got around to posting it! 

For those of you who are new here, Chris and I were filmed in April and May of 2013 for House Hunters International. HGTV wanted to document our move from Subotica, Serbia to Belgium, and even though we had already been living in Belgium for a good seven months before filming even started, they wanted to 're-create' our house hunting experience. We agreed to be filmed, and they asked if we could add a _touch_ of drama to our episode. In reality, our house hunting experience was not complicated at all, but for TV, we gave them some of the drama and conflict that they wanted. While Chris and I really loved filming part of our story abroad, this experience made us realize that most things on TV are slightly slanted and embellished. 

So if you are interested, here's our HHI episode! It is fun to have a 20-minute video of a piece of our journey together. One day we can show our children this episode when they want to see where we used to live around the world! 

Feel free to post your thoughts after you watch this, but be nice please! This is a positive space, and I won't post rude or degrading comments. (Why do people even post mean things about people they have never met? Unfortunately it happens a lot)

Westvleteren Trappist Brewery Belgium

Pic found here.

Summer 2013 has come and gone, and I find myself with an ever growing list of adventures and experiences to blog/journal about. I have been so caught up in the moments that I've forgotten to properly documented the memories. The end of summer also marked another milestone in this grand little adventure that was supposed to take the McCoy family from Kentucky to Serbia and back again in three years time. Isn't it funny how life never really seems to go as planned?! Our international journey has not followed anyone's predictions, but we sort of like it that way. Chris and I have been living and working overseas for two years and four months; and in that time we moved from Kentucky to Subotica, Serbia (as planned), and then from Serbia to Roeselare, Belgium (not planned, but welcomed), and now we find ourselves in Regensburg, Germany. . . . absolutely not planned, but we figured we had moved before, and we could do it again!

What's one more move to shake things up a bit? 

Chris and I have been officially living in Regensburg, Germany for about three weeks, and everything is still so new. Once we feel a little more settled and 'normal,' I plan to document the process of our most recent move. In the meantime though, there are so many other things that I need to catch up on! 

First things first - Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren Brewery in Belgium

While living in Belgium, Chris and I were lucky to live 40 minutes away from one of the most famous breweries in the world. For beer enthusiasts, the mere mention of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren makes you salivate. For everyone else, don't worry, I'll fill ya in on some of the basic details. 

Our First Serbian Visitors!

Marko and Lela on the shopping street in Roeselare, Belgium. 

Remember Marko and Lela from Subotica, Serbia? They were our first friends in Serbia and they sort of adopted us into their big group of friends. Looking back on our year in Serbia, I don't remember feeling seriously homesick (except for when my first little nephew was born), and I know that Marko, Lela, and the community that they invited us into, were the reason we so easily adapted to our first home abroad. Chris and I truly feel that we have a grasp on the history and culture of Serbia because we were treated almost as locals for an entire year. Six months ago, we left Serbia, and through tear-filled goodbyes, Marko and Lela promised that they would come visit once we settled into our new home in Belgium . . . 

Well, they came through on their promise! We had Marko and Lela to ourselves for a whole five days! Chris and I were so excited to simply just be with them again and to share bits and pieces of our new adventure with them. Of course we made them sample all sorts of chocolates, cakes, waffles, frites (fries), and specialty Belgian beers. We took them to our favorite restaurants and cafes in Roeselare, and I will include those pictures in the next blog. 

Giving Thanks in Belgium

New friends and cosmos. 

My favorite holiday of the year has come and gone. The day that American families put differences aside to gather together and focus on gratitude and . . . well, football of course. Thanksgiving is more then a giant, turkey dinner for my family; a family of Ukrainian immigrants that worked tirelessly to build a life in America. I grew up hearing stories of how my father's parents miraculously made their way from Ukraine to China to the Philippines to Paraguay and finally to America. My grandfather was orphaned in China at the age of five, and he is immensely thankful for the opportunity that American gave a hardworking, orphan boy. My sweet grandfather tears up when he starts talking about his blessed life. He is a man who chose to live a beautiful life of thankfulness. Because of his example, Thanksgiving is a special time for my family.  

Thanksgiving 2011 found Chris and me around the table with new friends in Serbia, and this year we shared the holiday with three new friends in Belgium. Last year I searched high and low for a Serbian turkey and eventually just had to settle for chicken; but this year, I found a turkey! Well, at least I found part of a turkey. My mom visited Belgium the week before Thanksgiving, so she helped me season the turkey legs. She gave me detailed directions on preparing those legs, but unfortunately we didn't take my European oven into account. I think the oven is actually quite efficient, but the only issue is that all of the directions and prompts are in Dutch. I was scrambling to finish the meal when our three guests arrived baring gifts. They blessed us with Belgian chocolate and beer. Check out the way that the beer is displayed. 

Rodenbach Brewery Roeselare, Belgium

The Rodenbach Brewery logo - Roselare, Belgium

Beer really is not my thing; I typically feel bloated and some 10 pounds heavier after even half a pint of beer. I know, I know, I'm like the worst Belgian expat ever! You beer connoisseurs out there will be pleased to know that I am trying to find some love for Belgium's "water." Since moving to Roselare, Chris has convinced me to take a sip of every new beer he tries. Some Belgians claim that 1500 unique vintages are brewed in this country, and others claim that the number is closer to 2000+. Regardless of the number, there are a lot of very unique beers here. Chris has a whole lot of drinking (and I, a lot of taste-testing) left to do to get through all of them!

Since the Rodenbach Brewery is in Roeselare, I figured we should check it out as a future "show-and-tell" destination when we have visitors. It is pretty difficult to set up a brewery tour for a small group, but my friend, Ben, and I were lucky to join a tour that was being given to an Italian group. Unfortunately, my hubby had to work, but he'll eventually get a chance to visit the brewery.

Bruges in Autumn Hues.

Me and Jesse taking in the beauty of Autumn in Bruges. 

This is my amazing, encouraging, consistent and beautiful friend, Jesse! She came to Belgium! Jesse really came to see us in Belgium!! Yippie! 

Jesse and I met (almost) ten years ago in the small college town of Wilmore, KY. It was in that small, Kentucky town that five impressionable, freshman girls - from very different places and very different stories - found in each other a family away from home. To this day, they are still my best friends; as a group, we've gone through ups and down, great joy and deep sorrow, boyfriend interviews and wedding proposals, bachelorette parties and bridesmaid dresses, new careers and huge life changes. Each of them have impacted my story. Jesse is one of those girls, and she showed me that it is far better to invest in a few deep friendships rather than spread yourself thin trying to "know" everyone. She is one of the most loyal friends that I have, and for that reason, I figured Jesse wasn't paying me lip service when she mentioned she wanted to hop on over to Europe.

Gäubodenfest (drinking-fest) in Straubing, Germany

I love dressing up! Or maybe I should just say that I have no problem making a complete fool of myself. My entire family has zero inhibition when it comes to donning outrageous attire; and we are all talented at getting our friends to participate! Maybe it's because we just hate to "party" alone. After all, events really are more exciting when there are costumes to take pictures of! Like that one time (pictured above), when Chris and I went to a rodeo in Oregon and I made him wear a ridiculous jumping-salmon-shirt with a "sheriff" badge and leather vest. . . . 

Sexy, eh?!

Or, that time that I dressed up as the Octomom (remember her?!) for a work Halloween party. 

The first annual Pilgrims and Indian Thanksgiving. We were Pocahontas and John Smith!

And then there's the annual "Pilgrims and Indian Thanksgiving" dress up party where everyone has to come with food (or wine) and a costume for Thanksgiving dinner. It's really not politically correct AT ALL, but my family has a great time! Maybe it's just another excuse for my ridiculously talented photographer/brother (David James Visuals) to take pictures. . . 

The second year of the "Pilgrims and Indian Thanksgiving" offered even more picture opportunities. I was an oversized, juicy turkey, my mom and dad were pilgrims, and naturally, Chris and my three brothers were four savage indians. The rest of our friends filled the house with lots of Indian-and-pilgrim-costume-cheer. I just laughed the whole time, and of course, bumped into everyone with my enormous turkey thighs. 

Lets just say . . . that it didn't take much convincing for me to drop 100 Euros on a Dirndl (German ladies outfit) for our friend, Reece's, 30th birthday party. I really thought it would take a little begging to get my husband into a pair of those thick, brown, leather overalls with a checkered shirt, but to my surprise, Chris jumped right on board with the birthday shenanigans. Before we even moved to Belgium, we made a pit stop to celebrate with our best friend Reece. Chris' Lederhosen was pretty expensive, but I just made him promise that we would get a lot of use out of our German outfits over the nest few years. If nothing else, they make awesome halloween costumes . . . and I love Chris in those tight, leather capris! 

I mean - how hot is he?! I could not stop laughing!

A lederhosen butt shot!

I got to party with these handsome fellows!

Don't judge - Chris and I matched!

Heading to the Gaubodenfest. We were not the only ones dressed up!

There were at least 4 of these huge drinking tents! It was wild!

I drank beer mixed with apple cider. Too much beer for me!

Prost! Cheers to Reece's 30th!

It was so lively and everyone was standing on the tables and dancing and clapping!

Best friends in awesome outfits!

Check out Reece's birthday bling!

Aaron, Reece and I at the end of the night. Happy Birthday REECE!!

This is the boys saying they had a wonderful birthday bash in Germany!

Weltenburg - Oldest Monk Brewery?

A view of Weltenburg Abbey from above. I didn't take this picture unfortunately. via

Situated on a quiet peninsula in the Danube, Weltenburg Abbey seems almost out of place sitting amongst the jagged cliffs and dense underbrush of the river gorge. The picturesque Benedictine monastery, in the heart of Germany's Bavaria region, claims to be the oldest monk brewery in the world. That coveted title is also claimed by another Bavarian monastery named Weihenstephan Abbey. Weltenburg Abbey (the one we checked out) was founded around 617 A.D. and started brewing beer in 1050 A.D.; Weihenstephan Abbey (the other one) was founded in 720 A.D. and claims to have started brewing in 1040 A.D. Lets just let the monks duke it out to see who rightfully deserves the title of "oldest monk brewery."

Our fabulous host in Germany, Reece, heard that over the past few years, Weltenburg Abbey had received a couple gold metals in the World Beer Cup, so title or not, we decided to head there on a little day trip. 

The "Dult" Regensburg, Germany

He who drinks beer sleeps well, 

He who sleeps well cannot sin, 

He who does not sin goes to heaven. . . 

Amen. 

- Unknown German Monk

Passing Dom Cathedral (Regensburg, Germany) on the way to the "Dult."

Crossing Stone Bridge and checking out the Danube River in Regensburg, Germany

Hubby and I found ourselves back in Germany's Bavarian region yet again. We made a trip back to Regensburg, Germany to see our friend Reece, take pictures of the city in the sunshine (Lets be honest, I was the only one taking pictures), and to experience the "Dult." You pronounce "Dult" exactly the way it is spelled; and Reece said that we absolutely had to come back for Regensburg's "mini Oktoberfest." I am not exactly what you would call a "beer fan," but I'm always up for something new, cultural, and "blog-worthy." I quickly realized that the Dult offers a whole lot more than half liters of beer in 20-pound steins! 

Walking into the Dult was like entering a really clean, well maintained medieval fair.

Regensburg is a city full of history and whispered stories of days past. One can trace the city's history back to Roman times (there's an ancient Roman wall from 179 A.D. that still stands in the city center. Read my blog about it if ya want), and zipping forward a few thousand years, the enormous Thurn and Taxis palace is still inhabited by the beer-brewing, royal family. 


Germans seem to find any excuse to drink beer! They are very particular about their drink of choice, even down to the fact that each beer has its own specially designed glass/mug. If by chance you receive your beer in the wrong glass/mug, you'll most likely receive embarrassed apologies from the bartender. Everything seems meticulous and thought through in Germany, and I suppose they party hard because they work hard too. 


The Dult did not disappoint! I really did not know what to expect when Reece said that this was Regensburg's "mini-Oktoberfest." They have the festival for three weeks at the end of spring to celebrate the coming of summer and again for three weeks during the fall to lament the end of summer. I figured there would be a big tent with lots of beer being spilled on my feet, but I was not prepared for the intensity of the whole event. It was like a photographers dream with all the costumes and bright swirling colors, and I tried to capture the moments as best as I could. 

There was not a seat open in the Dult! A very festive atmosphere!

All night people were trying to climb this greased poll and ring the bell at the top.

Lederhosen - The German outfits that men wear. Whole groups of guys could be seen wearing the same exact outfits and dancing together on the tables. 


Dirndl - The outfits for women. Most of the women were wearing these lacy, bust-enhancing, apron type outfits. Super cute and I felt a little left out. I decided, then and there, that I would never show up in Germany again without my own dirndl. 


Table etiquette in Germany - No open tables? Not a problem. In Germany you just squeeze in anywhere possible. This is totally strange for Americans, but really if there is open space on a nearby bench, you ask if you and your friends can occupy it. It usually works and you make new friends. 


"PROST" - "Cheers" in German. Be prepared to "prost" at least once every 10 minutes! Clink your glass against the bottom of your bench-neighbors glass to avoid breakage. Even the thick glass steins can break when over zealous beer drinkers offer up a "prost." Trust me!

Our new bench-friends at the Dult in Regensburg, Germany. 

My Hubby and Reece sent me around the enormous tent to find a place to sit (or rather stand). It was so insanely packed! People were jumping up and down on precariously thin benches, the cover band was playing a blend of German drinking songs and popular 80's hits, and the dirndle-wearing-waitresses were pushing through the crowd hugging 6+ steins full of beer. Right near the stage, I found a group of guys who let us share their flimsy bench. They were a little disappointed when I brought two guys rather than two girls to the table with me, but they quickly embraced us with a loud round of "PROST" and deemed us new found friends. 

Our new friends in the matching red lederhosens.

Hellloooo from the Dult in Regensburg, Germany!

Dancing the night away on our flimsy little bench at the Dult!

Reece's mug totally broke when our new found friends offered up a "PROST."

The Thurn and Taxis royal family outdoor beer garden at the Dult. 

Specific mugs for their beer!

What sort of tourists would we be if we didn't get a bratwurst at the Dult?!

The best pretzel IN THE ENTIRE WORLD was found at the Dult in Regensburg, Germany!

If you're ever around Regensburg in either the spring or the fall, make sure to get to the Dult. The three week bi-anual festival promises fun for the entire family! Fair rides, arcade games, giant pretzels, beer, costume sightings, bratwursts, dancing on tables . . . it's all there! 

PROST!