Spring is tulip time in Holland. We pedaled to Keukenhof and locked up our bikes at the gate. As we walked through the colorful and fragrant gardens, we were impressed by the variety of bulbs in bloom, such as brilliant red and yellow Aladdin tulips, pastel China pink tulips, plus lots of different daffodils and hyacinths. We walked and talked among 7 million bulbs planted at 3 different levels in the soil and covering around 80 acres.
We took a quick tour of the Orchid Pavilion (in honor of our orchid loving relatives, Annie and Jeanne) while our Keukenhof weary companions waited. We then picked up our bikes and toured on the perimeter of some of the extensive, quilt-patterned bulb fields and beyond before having a relaxing lunch in an outdoor cafe. We savored a bit of delicious handmade Dutch chocolate after Mark and Leslie escaped to check out a nearby chocolate shop which was calling their names…., and then we wearily pedaled back to the Bussum after our sensory-packed day.
Between fields and woods, lots of buildings cozy up to the canals we travel along. Some huge and stolid ones are are on estates of long gone burghers and some are new McMansions and most are modest and brick with oh-so-well tended gardens. Here are some examples:
Lindsay
29 Apr 2015Wow! Sounds like a wonderful trip. I am quite enjoying exploring your website and looking at pictures/ reading about your travels! Love, Lindsay
Stormy
29 Apr 2015Thanks for the visual candy. i can’t imagine the intensity of fragrance with that many flowers!
virginia
30 Apr 2015Dear Val and Leslie,
How lovely to be able to share a little of your wonderful trip to Holland. Someday I really need to go there to see if I can find any trace of my mother’s ancestors, the Voorhies )(from the city of Heis). Spring has finally made it to NH after a long snowy winter. It always seems like such a wonder that flowers are actually blooming here now.
keep emjoying your travels,
love,
va Garlitz
Jane Smith
4 May 2015How wonderful to have been on such a trip….love your voyages and especially your beautiful photos….thanks so much for sharing and keeping us in the know….Safe travels home, too. Love you, Janie and Don