The abbey is home to about 150 monks who hold prayer services in the morning and evening as well as a mid-day mass. They are open to people of all faiths and actually allow visitors to participate in the prayer services, sitting right up front with them. The services were so peaceful that we ended up making it a point to attend them.
The guesthouse itself is just under a year old. The rooms were spartan, but quite comfortable. The monks hand-crafted all the furniture and prepare the food for the guests. Wow, can they cook! The meals were great, but the kicker was all the different artisan breads. They were wonderful.
We spent the weekend exploring the trails in the game reserve and sitting on a bench overlooking one of the lakes. There were an inordinate amount of baby squirrels. They were everywhere and very brave. Heading out into the northern part of the grounds mid-day Saturday was not a good plan. We had to beat a hasty retreat after facing an onslaught of mosquitoes. Next time, bug repellent will be on the packing list. We also took advantage of the opportunity to talk with a monk. It was a very rewarding experience for both of us. The monk we spoke with was very thoughtful and wise--like a benevolent professor.
All in all, it was a great little retreat for us. It's amazing what a little time out in nature coupled with time reflecting can do for the soul.
The front of the Abbey Church
The view from our room in the guesthouse
