Friday
06Apr2007
The Start of Spring - Kuekenhof
Friday, April 6, 2007 at 10:20
The tulip's have started. The fields in Kuekenhof are in full bloom. This weekends adventure will be a road trip to see the flowers that Holland is famous for.
However there will not only be Tulip's but there will be a stop at the "Famous" (I only put that in quotes because I had never heard of it and I'm thinking it may pan out to be like the "Biggest Ball of Twine") Defense Line of Amsterdam -- a 135KM wall around the city of Amsterdam built between 1883 and 1920. It's the only example of a fortification based on the principle of controlling the waters.
Since the 16th century the people of the Netherlands have used their expert knowledge for hydraulic engineering for defence purposes -- using controlled flooding of the countryside to discourage invaders.
The overnight say will be in Delft -- the setting for the book and latter the movie that thrust Scarlett Johansson out of the indie film arena into main stream ... The Girl With the Pearl Earring (Lost in Translation was before Pearl Earring and still considered "Indie" even though Bill Murray was in it).
The weekend will culminate in a special Easter Service at the chapel in Aachen. I'll let you know how it is.
Update on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 10:06 by
LIFETRASH
LIFETRASH
The flowers were about 70% in bloom -- I would say the full height of the season will be in two weeks. The cost for entry was 13 Euro a person and 5 Euro for parking. The flowers that were in bloom were gorgeous... to include a green house full of Orchids -- even the elusive orchid from Adaptation was on display (the Ghost Orchid)
Orchids From there it was off to Delft which was a nice miniature version of Amsterdam, complete with "Cafes" and plenty of shopping of the blue and white ceramic dish variety that makes the town famous. Back in the day, Delft was a huge trade center with China and this is where they got their porcelain making techniques. After the hotel managed to try and over-charged by 40 Euros (Grand Hotel Delft -- just say no)... the traditional Dutch Farm was a really nice surprise. Cheesy but in expensive and fun ... plus -- all the bread and cheese samples you could eat. Lots of photo ops of windmills, wooden shoe making demos, and you could even try a pair on and tromp around in them. Some pretty amazing stuff. All and all I think the best part was the stop in the mid evil city of Aachen. the cathedral, the ancient streets, and the huge stadthalle. It was a wonderful surprise with cold beer and good food.
Orchids From there it was off to Delft which was a nice miniature version of Amsterdam, complete with "Cafes" and plenty of shopping of the blue and white ceramic dish variety that makes the town famous. Back in the day, Delft was a huge trade center with China and this is where they got their porcelain making techniques. After the hotel managed to try and over-charged by 40 Euros (Grand Hotel Delft -- just say no)... the traditional Dutch Farm was a really nice surprise. Cheesy but in expensive and fun ... plus -- all the bread and cheese samples you could eat. Lots of photo ops of windmills, wooden shoe making demos, and you could even try a pair on and tromp around in them. Some pretty amazing stuff. All and all I think the best part was the stop in the mid evil city of Aachen. the cathedral, the ancient streets, and the huge stadthalle. It was a wonderful surprise with cold beer and good food.
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