Just a few hours' drive from us is the tulip growing region of The Netherlands, and springtime awakens the bulbs from their slumber to create a colorful patchwork.
We had read that one of the best places to view the brilliant blooms is at the Keukenhof Gardens. Here, the flowers are planted in gorgeous displays with more than 7 million bulbs and 800 varieties. It is called the most beautiful spring garden in the world.
Indeed, these gardens are world famous because it seemed the entire world was there the same sunny Saturday day we visited. There were so many people. Cars jammed the highways. Tour busses filled the parking lot. People streamed in with cameras in hand all hoping to catch a glimpse of the garden's beauty.
The flowers and displays were very beautiful, but it was difficult to enjoy viewing them while pushing our way through the crowds. There were so many different languages and nationalities that when I bumped into someone, I would say, "Pardon me, sorry, excusez-moi, entschuldigung," to try to cover all my bases.
We did manage to capture some photos without hordes of people in them.
The gardens thoughtfully provided an activity to entertain the children. When we entered the gate, a woman handed us a "treasure" map. The children had to find the 5 stations located throughout the park and they would be given a free flower. At the last station, they could have their collection of flowers made into a bouquet. This goal became our mission as we pushed our way through the throngs.
Overall, it was a lovely place but too crowded. Also, we had anticipated getting to see the massive tulip fields. The fields are gardened by farmers who grow the flowers for their bulbs, which they sell.
After we left the Keukenhof, we discovered what we were looking for. In the surrounding areas were football sized fields of reds, oranges, and yellows. I've read these enormous patches of color can be seen from space! I think that perhaps the best way to view the tulips would be to skip the Keukenhof and wander the region by bike or car.
Besides tulips, other cultural icons for The Netherlands are wooden shoes and cheese. We heard about the must-see Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory, a 160-year-old farm that makes cheese according to Dutch tradition and clogs using authentic antique machines. Tours and cheese samples are free!
Our tour guide walked into the room and surprised us by saying, "Hi, y'all!" He was a friendly guy who grew up in Texas. His Dutch family owns the farm, and he told us all about how they make their cheeses. We purchased several varieties: a 1-year-old cheese, a 2-year-old cheese (slightly harder than the 1-year-old), a pepper cheese, and a whiskey cheese. It's a good thing their farm is several hours away, or I could see a habit forming.
They invited us to go into the barn to meet the ladies. They were all very friendly, and the small children enjoyed feeding them hay. We even got to meet the farm's newest addition: a day-old calf!
We had read that one of the best places to view the brilliant blooms is at the Keukenhof Gardens. Here, the flowers are planted in gorgeous displays with more than 7 million bulbs and 800 varieties. It is called the most beautiful spring garden in the world.
Indeed, these gardens are world famous because it seemed the entire world was there the same sunny Saturday day we visited. There were so many people. Cars jammed the highways. Tour busses filled the parking lot. People streamed in with cameras in hand all hoping to catch a glimpse of the garden's beauty.
The flowers and displays were very beautiful, but it was difficult to enjoy viewing them while pushing our way through the crowds. There were so many different languages and nationalities that when I bumped into someone, I would say, "Pardon me, sorry, excusez-moi, entschuldigung," to try to cover all my bases.
We did manage to capture some photos without hordes of people in them.
 |
| Hyacinth |
 |
 |
| Daffodils |
 |
| A mix of colors |
 |
| Van Gogh |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The gardens thoughtfully provided an activity to entertain the children. When we entered the gate, a woman handed us a "treasure" map. The children had to find the 5 stations located throughout the park and they would be given a free flower. At the last station, they could have their collection of flowers made into a bouquet. This goal became our mission as we pushed our way through the throngs.
Overall, it was a lovely place but too crowded. Also, we had anticipated getting to see the massive tulip fields. The fields are gardened by farmers who grow the flowers for their bulbs, which they sell.
 |
| A field of yellow waaaaaaay over there as seen from Keukenhof. |
After we left the Keukenhof, we discovered what we were looking for. In the surrounding areas were football sized fields of reds, oranges, and yellows. I've read these enormous patches of color can be seen from space! I think that perhaps the best way to view the tulips would be to skip the Keukenhof and wander the region by bike or car.
Besides tulips, other cultural icons for The Netherlands are wooden shoes and cheese. We heard about the must-see Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory, a 160-year-old farm that makes cheese according to Dutch tradition and clogs using authentic antique machines. Tours and cheese samples are free!
Our tour guide walked into the room and surprised us by saying, "Hi, y'all!" He was a friendly guy who grew up in Texas. His Dutch family owns the farm, and he told us all about how they make their cheeses. We purchased several varieties: a 1-year-old cheese, a 2-year-old cheese (slightly harder than the 1-year-old), a pepper cheese, and a whiskey cheese. It's a good thing their farm is several hours away, or I could see a habit forming.
 |
| Colorful clogs |
 |
| Chopping the wood |
 |
| Placing the wood into the machine |
 |
| Carving out the inside |
 |
| Glorious cheese! |
 |
| Brining the cheese |
They invited us to go into the barn to meet the ladies. They were all very friendly, and the small children enjoyed feeding them hay. We even got to meet the farm's newest addition: a day-old calf!
 |
 |
