After visiting our partner INTEGRIS in Konz at the border to Luxembourg last year, we invited our colleagues to the wild east this year. On Friday afternoon, the Rhinelanders gradually arrived in Dresden, and after coffee and homemade cake, we checked into the hotel at Postplatz. In the evening, we strolled together from the historic old town of Dresden across to the other side of the Elbe to dine at the 'Planwirtschaft'. Late in the evening, one part of the group made their way back, while the younger colleagues explored the Neustadt pub district late into the night.
During the steamboat trip on the Elbe upstream from Dresden on Saturday, some showed signs of sleep deprivation from the previous night. The weather also left much to be desired initially with light drizzle, but improved upon arrival at Pillnitz Palace. There, we visited the palace complex from the 18th century and the Pillnitz camellia, which is one of the oldest in Europe. After coffee and traditionally Saxon Eierschecke, we took a special public transport trip back to Dresden. We spent the evening together at the 'Pulverturm' enjoying hearty food and a festive atmosphere. The highlight of the evening was an ice bomb and the traditional funnel drinking.
We moved the conclusion of this year's company celebration to the Saxon Switzerland on Sunday. Already on the way there, the table mountains of Königstein and Lilienstein appeared in the most beautiful sunshine surrounded by a sea of fog. We gathered in the spa town of Rathen and crossed to the other side of the Elbe with the cable ferry. Some of the colleagues then hiked past the Amselsee through the Schwedenlöcher to Altrathen Castle. A few brave colleagues headed straight for the rocks to climb high above the Elbe. Being secured only by a rope on the steep, exposed rock was especially daunting for the less experienced, but it paid off with a fantastic view over the rocky landscape and an entry in the summit book. The rappelling from the summit was then skeptically observed by the colleagues who had joined via the hiking trail. Together, we then made our way back to the ferry and after saying goodbye, headed back home.
Looking back, the weekend in Dresden brought joy to both the iLIMS employees and the colleagues from Konz alike. It was a great opportunity to get to know new employees and exchange ideas personally.
