Keukenhof Gardens
To go Back at any time,
use Browser's "Previous Page"
Landing at Schiphol airport, we were taxied away by Tauck Tours to join the rest of the group at Happy Hour and dinner. Of the 107 other guests on our tour, we eventually met about half. This was to be a seven night canal/river cruise through Holland and Belgium with one night’s lodging in Amsterdam and one in Brussels.
After our last-minute arrival in Amsterdam, it helped to have a night’s rest --- a LONG night’s rest would have been even better. We were up before the city was stirring to be off to Keukenhof at 8 am. That early, our window presented a peaceful scene:
Outside, looking left on the Prinsengracht Canal, there were clever solutions to the price of gas all over the place:
It helps that Holland is flat.
The bridge gave an excellent vantage point for looking down the canal:
So unlike Amsterdam when it bustles, the morning stillness was wonderful.
Aboard three separate coaches, the group was driven to Lisse where the famous gardens are located. We had more than enough time to stroll through the beautiful blooms --- that’s because a bitingly cold wind made being outdoors for long rather uncomfortable. We know from past experience, it isn’t always so chilly at Keukenhof. Here without comment are a half dozen shots taken in various parts of these manicured gardens:
There were even wooden shoes for sale in any model you wished: Sunday Best, slippers, sandals, .... you name it:
Back in Amsterdam, we were treated to a leisurely 2-hour lunch while cruising the canals:
Our guide, Lisa, narrated over the noise of dining as well as possible. Later, we had the good fortune to be in her party in the Rijks Museum and she was outstanding! We will never forget the intrigues she roped us into in maneuvering to exactly the spot she wanted in the packed museum or her impressive knowledge of Dutch artists:
Here’s a one-shot sample of our ride through the canals, showing a fairly common Dutch swing bridge:
By late afternoon, we were finally aboard our home-to-be for the next seven nights.