Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Thursday, 10th May, 2018
"Pyaar ke hazaron deep hain khile hue" kept coming to mind on this day, one of the most memorable of all our European odysseys, so far! The wonderful composition from the 1981 release 'Silsila', shot at the Keukenhof tulip gardens became a reality for us today.
Let me start at the beginning. The day dawned cloudy and it was in a light drizzle that we set out after a hurried breakfast. Took the metro from Biljmer ArenA station- bang opposite our hotel Hampton by Hilton - to Amsterdam Centraal; got a lovely view of central Amsterdam, as we came to the surface on escalator; in spite of the grey skies and the pitter-patter of raindrops.
Found our tour operator Lindberg Tours at 26, Damrak; with the help of locals. Secured our seats for the combi tour of Keukenhof, Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken. The guide led us to a bright red double-decker where we were welcomed by our tour guides Diana and Jamil. We sat on the lower deck; the tour began at 08:55. Passed through the Dutch countryside - fields and canals; by Schipol airport; the
charming village of Molickendam with its neatly maintained homes(it appears that here neighbours compete with one another in keeping the facades of their homes clean) ; and finally reached our first destination of the day - Keukenhof, at 09:45, getting our first glimpse of the famed tulip fields - a virtual red carpet welcome!
Followed Diana, who was holding aloft a flag to be spotted easily in the crowd; in chilly conditions, cloudy but no rain. At the entrance we were presented with a map of the sprawling tulip gardens and allowed three hours to savour the place. On entering, we were welcomed by the flowers - a crowd, a host, of multi-coloured tulips, beside the canals, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze; to quote Wordsworth. It was purely overwhelming!
As a rule, I do not much like flowers but this was simply mind-blowing!! One could not help falling in love with the flowers - colourful and joyous - grown and maintained so meticulously and lovingly. The bulbs are planted in October and the best month in which to visit Keukenhof is April. After the season is over (mid-May), the seeds are completely destroyed as Keukenhof attracts a massive number of tourists and the planters cannot risk infection to the flowers. Simply amazing! We shot a video and took plenty of snaps. A few of the tulips had two colours - unbelievable !
It was difficult to get away from there, but we had to. There were other Dutch delights awaiting us in other towns! After a quick snack of sandwiches, cappuccino and a slice of lemon cake(simply delicious!), we boarded our bus at the pre-determined time of 12:45. The guide praised the group for being on time and we were on our way.
If the tulips had mesmerised us, then the tiny hamlet of Zaanse Schans simply took our breath away! More of that in my next!!
