| Amsterdam & Flevo Barging I Tulip Time Barging II Belgium | |||
 Fields of narcissus and tulips viewed from within Keukenhof Gardens. |
 The hyacinths, seen as one nears the Gardens were in full bloom. |
 |
 Phil and Martha are squinting at the sun, not scowling, among the blooms. |
 Hostesses in historical costumes greet visitors to the gardens. |
 With 7 million bulbs planted each year ... |
 ... in acres of park land ... |
 there are many beautiful walks. |
 Almost everywhere you turn ... |
 ... there are beautiful vistas ... |
 ... but remember to stay on the paths. |
 Beds
and beds of blooms are also under cover in the pavilions. |
 "Dreamboat" is an old-style shape with modern colors. |
 Note the huge blooms compared to my gloved hand. |
 "Silk Surprise" |
 "Purple Lady" |
 Setting up a display. |
 More blooms ... narcissus? |
 More narcissus |
 "Parrot" type tulip bloom |
 Of course, there is a windmill. |
 Some visitors were dancing to the lively tunes of the colorful street organ. |
  Statuary punctuated plants (How did they get me with a hula hoop?) |
 We loved this floating imp. |
  Old tree stumps became hawks and eagles. |
 The Roos (rose) Table |
 These stylish seats were just for show. |
 In the petting zoo, these fluffy chickens looked almost furry. |
 |
 |
 Of course there were ducks ... and a great-crested grebe with babies on her back. |
 |
 All these blooms aren't just "pretty, pretty." They're part of a serious business ... |
 As illustrated by this bidding room at the Aalsmeer Bloemenveiling, the largest flower auction in the world. |
 Cart after cart of fresh flowers... . |
 packed for shipping await its fate. |
 The carts are herded by workers on bicycles and electric carts. |
 By mid-morning, the floor was emptying as shipments were assigned. |
 But the main crop in the Netherlands is actually roses ... |
 ... such as those grown in this large tropical greenhouse in Burgerveen. |
 The greenhouse also housed a tropical garden ... |
 ... where Mary stopped to feed the koi ... |
 which came bubbling to the surface of the water. |
 The greenhouse cat had found its own spot to snooze. |
| Amsterdam & Flevo Barging I Tulip Time Barging II Belgium | |||
Timing a trip to coincide
with the main blooming season is always tricky, but we were lucky, esp.
since it had been a warmer winter than usual and the tulips were just
starting. We saw them growing in large fields along the canals, but the most
spectacular display was at
Keukenhof Gardens,
where growers have displayed their bulbs and other blooms for ages.
(Click thumbnails for larger versions of photos)
(Click thumbnails for larger versions of photos)