Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Another mild spring day for our tour of Keukenhof Gardens, renown for their vast tulip displays two months out of each year. Seven million bulbs are planted each year into themed displays of colors, set off by swaths of grape hyacinths or white rhodos. There are 4000-5000 varieties of tulips, differentiated not only by color, but by size, shape of petals or leaves. Some look like peonies, some like lilies, some are tiny fragile heirloom tulips. It's overwhelming. Tulips originated in the "Stans" then brought to Turkey where Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) went crazy over them. An ambassador brought them to Holland in the 16th c. starting the tulip craze and a lucrative industry. 100 growers deal in bulbs, others deal in the blooms. We gave into "tulipmania" and ordered bulbs to plant next fall (too many bulbs)!
We wandered the canals this afternoon, munching lunch in the Waterloo neighborhood, visiting The Rembrandt house (period furniture, reconstructed atelier and collection room), traditional Dutch dinner at Haesje Claes restaurant. Tomorrow is King's Day, a national holiday celebrating the King's birthday. People started celebrating today, dressed in orange, garlands of orange balloons over the hundreds of bars and restaurants. It's mild weather encouraging a frat party atmosphere. Most things are closed tomorrow so best we will be on our way home.
After a day on our feet we welcome collapsing in our cozy room at The Hendriks Hotel, a boutique hotel along the harbor. Nautically themed, our room is as efficiently designed and limited in space as a ship's cabin. Steps lead up to a comfortable platform bed, one closet for shower, one for basin and toilet, each with a porthole. This has a been a restful interlude before flying home tomorrow.
- comments
Tina Serdjenian Can’t wait to see your too many bulbs blooming next year! It will be beautiful...didn’t know the tulip history so thanks for sharing... Glad you has some rest before the long trip home...Best, Tina
Steve Putnam Reminds me of Tulip Bulb bubble of yesteryear Have enjoyed your blogs
Susan Brandehoff Hope you're home safe and sound by now. Enjoyed the info about tulips. Any tulips that dared to bloom in Chicago this spring are going to be covered by 6 inches of snow tonight! Lucky us.