The Netherlands: Den Haag Temple & Keukenhof - 2016

 The Netherlands: Den Haag Temple & Keukenhof - 2016

After having first visited Keukenhof, in March 2015 with 3 other missionaries E/S Ryser and Sister Purdy, I was determined to see it again before our mission ends (The park closes for the season on Monday, May 16.)

So on Friday, May 13, (yet another holiday weekend in Germany, Pentacost) Ken & I made a quick trip to the Netherlands.

It took us six hours to drive there because of heavy traffic.

The further we drove north, the more wind turbines we saw. Many of the old windmills are still being used.

Interesting fact: the 20,000 wind turbines off the coast of northern Germany, produce 35% of the world's wind energy!

We made it just in time for the 5:00 session of the Hague Temple. This Temple operates in more languages than any other in the world because it services all of Eastern Europe. It was strange to watch the film being spoken in English and have to wear headphones for interpretation, since the session was in Dutch.

After being handicapped for the past two months, it meant a lot for me to be there.

The next day, Saturday, we went to Keukenhof.

Keukenhof, meaning kitchen garden, is open for only 8 weeks each year and showcases 7 million spring-flowering bulbs. A hundred bulb companies display their products for all to see.

The park's history goes back to the 15th century when Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria gathered fruit and vegetables from the woods for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. 

In 1949 a group of flower bulb workers and exporters came up with a plan to use the castle estate for a permanent exhibition of spring-flowering bulbs. 

The park opened its gates to the public in 1950 and has become world famous.

The team of 40 gardeners start planting the 7 million flower bulbs in mid-September. It takes around 3 months to plant them by hand. At the end of the season, the bulbs are dug up and destroyed. New grass is sown every year.

I had a leisurely ride through the park; Ken pushed me in a wheelchair because of my broken ankle.

Each of the four pavilions featured different flowers and themes. The Beatrix Pavilion was done in a fashion theme with orchids and anthuriums.

Even anthuriums are fashionable.

Hmm....

Activities for all ages: boat rides, windmill, petting zoo, playgrounds.

Of course, there was food, too!

Delicious fresh Belgian waffles!

Some areas are devoted to an artist's interpretation of a particular theme.
This is the Delft Blue Garden.

Fresh strawberries and cream.

The Dutch version of bratwurst (same as in Germany). 

What an amazing array of colors and varieties! 

Different areas of the gardens and/or pavilions feature different varieties of flowers. There is a Romantic garden.

There are many spots designed for taking photos. I was holding a fish, but perhaps I would have fit better into the scene if I'd been eating it.

Gorgeous wisteria!

Even the trees are beautifully sculpted.

I was fascinated by these trees that seem to "hold hands!" I noticed them in many places outside the park.

Fringed tulips.

Obviously there is a catchy tune being played on this portable pipe organ. 

The development of the Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) began around the end of the 16th century. The geest ground is an area around Lisse (where our hotel was) and Noorwijke, which mainly consists of dune sands (from the North Sea) which are mixed with clay and/or peat from other regions. 

This soil mixture is ideally suited for the cultivation of bulbs and the climate (high rainfall because of the proximity of the sea) is ideal for successful growing of bulbs: high rainfall because of the proximity of the sea. 

"Plant Seekers" during the Golden Age traveled the trade routes on a search for new species. 

The name "tulip" comes from the Persian word "tulipan" which means turban. It refers to the turban being the shape of the tulip bulb. 

Most tulips originate from the mountains between Turkey and China. They are used to cold snowy winters and hot dry summers. 

In 1593 the Turkish Sultan gave some tulip bulbs to an Austrian Ambassador who passed them on to a Dutchman who took them home and planted them. 

The first tulip bulbs were planted in Holland in 1593.

62% of all flower bulbs are grown in The Netherlands. The remaining 38% are divided up by the United States 2nd, then Germany and the others are way down on the list: Japan, UK, China, France, Russia, Canada, Italy, and, even some in Mexico.

Not a mention of Turkey, where tulips originated!

The park also features art and sculptures.

Will the real Dutchman, please stand?

I wanted to investigate the way this huge arrangement was put together...but we were told in stern Dutch to not touch!

Our selfie stick was able to see the performance! This group of musicians was terrific! 

We got a good recording; someday I'll know how to post it.....

The Willelm-Alexander Pavilion featured the world's largest lily show...so gorgeous, my favorite!!!

I loved these lily archways!

How did they know we were coming today?

This is one of the unusual but creative displays. 

Goodbye Keukenhof...once again we discovered your treasures!

The sea wasn't too far away so we went to find it. Along the way we saw large greenhouses and tulip fields, though by now the flowers had been cut.

 We got a glimpse of the ocean from the car but there was too much sand between us and the water for me to get there. 

No matter the weather (sunny, but a blustery, cold wind), people are drawn toward the ocean...regardless of where it is.

The Noordzee (Dutch), Nordsee (German), or North Sea (English).