Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

TRAVEL THROWBACK: AMSTERDAM'S KEUKENHOF GARDENS







Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


"There are places I'll remember......"

For some reason, I've been humming that tune
for the last few days.
I'm not sure how or why it popped into my head,
but it's actually apropos as I think about our visit 
to Keukenhof Gardens during tulip season eight years ago. 
Memories of exploring this glorious park outside of Amsterdam haven't faded; 
in fact, they're as vivid as the colorful riot of blooms
which blanket the grounds. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd like to say that it was cleverly intentional on my part 
to plan our trip to Amsterdam during tulip season,
but, nope, it didn't even occur to me.  
There was no flexibility in our travel dates........
we went during Junior Goo Shoes' spring break from school.
The fact that we ended up in the Netherlands during 
peak tulip time just happened to be a lucky coincidence.


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Seeing Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, 
if I might humbly opine,
has got to be one of the most lovely sights the world has to offer. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd go as far as calling it one of the wonders of the world.......
okay, not one the top seven, 
but certainly high up there on the "Wonder" wheel.
Perhaps most spectacular of all was the rainbow panorama 
of endless tulip fields growing outside the park.
It was Flower Power to the nth degree.

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


When I planned this family excursion to the park,
I was more than a little concerned that Junior Goo Shoes 
would be bored out of his 11-year old mind;
and frankly, I wasn't so sure about 
Mr. Goo Shoes' interest level, either.
I'd have bet the farm that after half an hour
of tiptoeing through the tulips, 
I'd be hearing, "Are we done yet?" in stereo.
But, to my surprise.......and delight.......my boys were enthralled!

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


After miles of walking through the park,
 we worked up an appetite, 
and stuffed our faces with Dutch treats, 
like stroopwafels and poffertjes, 
readily available at the park's kiosks.

If you know me, joy of travel 
is equal parts sightseeing and eating. 
Okay, 60/40, with food getting a slight edge. 
Hey, if the wooden shoe fits.......

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Or not. 

Surely, I jest.

Seriously, the essence of why one travels is
to see things we can't see at home, 
like medieval architecture, or other-worldly natural landscapes.
In this case, it was a floral razzle-dazzler of epic proportions. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Sometimes, we need pictures to remind us of what we've seen,
 and then, there are those gems 
that are etched into our memories forever. 
Keukenhof Gardens in tulip season is such a place. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


 "There are places I'll remember...........
In my life, I've loved them all."
 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

14 comments:

  1. What a beautiful garden to visit and I loved looking at all of the photos you took. It's the perfect way to experience spring. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been there in the spring, too! So much color as far as the eye could see! Thanks for the reminder ~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just gorgeous! The colors are stunning. It totally tops the Lavender fields I visited locally a few years ago but I was equally enthralled. My memory still holds the gorgeous acres upon acres of Sunflowers in Italy from 23 years ago....another must see.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning gardens, Amy. I can't believe the amount of flowers and how neatly they are planted. Someone somewhere must have a very sore back.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful place this looks.
    Lovely seeing all of your photographs, tulips are glorious.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your photos are stunning, I really would love to take .....ALL...your trips! TY.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The flowers are amazing and I would love to visit there ... one day! I have a long list of things to do and may not get them all done but I can imagine being there via your wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful pics - I always love a trip to Keukenhof, you've got to get your timing right. Looks like you got it spot on. Lucky you!
    Wren x

    ReplyDelete
  9. What absolutely lovely photos. We're still recovering from a late spring snowfall ... [ugh!], so I am especially enamoured with this fantastic display of spring blooms! Quick question: Spring breaks vary from region to region [I am from Canada], so I am just wondering when you were there? Barb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were there in mid-April of 2011; specifically April 17 at Keukenhof Gardens.

      Delete
  10. These are very pretty. Yes, it is nice to have such lovely pictures to enhance the memory!

    ReplyDelete

PRIVACY POLICY: I will never share your email information with others. I use your email to respond to your comments on my blog, or to interact socially with you.