Tulip time.... at last

There is an (alleged) proverb that goes something like: “How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time”, or maybe that old saw: “a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”.  Well that sort of applies to blogging.  “The story of a trip begins with the first posting” so now that we're safely home with clean clothes, mail (both snail and e) resolved, and a reliable internet connection, I can at last begin to share our experiences in Holland, or more correctly the Netherlands.

I would rather have been closer to “real time” but time and travel, (minding the three priorities) and a pitiful connection on the Viking Ship Alsvin made it almost impossible.  I did try a few facebook pictures here and there.  Maybe you connected folk saw some of those.

Anyway, our journey began from Dulles with a ride on a big blue bird, (unfortunately an Airbus) from KLM Airlines.

I think I mentioned on Facebook that it was the easiest trip through the airport we've ever had, brief pause at security, and relatively little walking and our gate was even right at the entrance to the proper terminal.  Another pleasant surprise was that even though the pilot reported that we would have to be re-routed for weather in the area, we taxied past several other parked aircraft and took off.

Our recent spate of international travel has taught us to always purchase the “upgraded economy” seat option which gives you a little more knee room, and I have never regretted buying the Bose noise cancelling headphones.  Unlike the airline we flew over to Wales, KLM provided a very nice classical music channel as part of the in flight entertainment suite.  With the headphones in place, screaming kids and cabin noise are geately reduced, allowing some modicum of peace.  

After a while, they came around with food service, preceded by drinks.  I was surprised to see that my request for Scotch brought forth maybe a pint sized bottle and a portion was poured from that rather than plunking down a plastic "mini".

Didn't pour as much as I might have wished, but it did serve to wet the whistle.  “Dinner” was then served, as usual a miracle of modern packaging

smakelijk!

Consisting of a little plastic dish of salad (“Greek”), Dessert (some kind of custardy thing), entrée (beef like material with rice), a little box (middle left) which contained some (Wisconsin(!) Cheese and crackers) a little bottle of water, a package of (plastic) tools, a passed roll, and a small bottle of wine.  Fine.  Well, to consume this repast, you have to:  a) pick up the little dish of choice; b) somehow strip the cellophane off the top (teeth worked best); c) unwrap the tools; and d) enjoy.  Well, after you repeated this process for all the little boxes, you are left with an unwieldy mountain of trash, which has the penchant to fall off the tray and disappear under the seat someplace.

Anyway, we finally landed in Amsterdam, and proceeded to more than make up the lack of walking at Dulles, finally gathering the group at the “big red and white cube” in the Arrival Hall, and did the customs stuff, and FINALLY on a bus (er, excuse me a coach) and headed out for a tour of Amsterdam.  We passed many interesting buildings leading out of Schiphol airport.

Our first stop on the way to the city was at a little farm where they produced a couple of products that we all associate with the Netherlands. 

The “farmer” did a little demo of wooden shoe and cheese making,

I'm sure he does this many times a day and week and had his patter down pretty well.. And, as we were to learn over and over, the little tour ended in the….. gift shop!

Which wasn’t bad, because it did give you an opportunity to purchase stuff without going out of your way.

We bid adieu to the cheese makers

And made a little stop to see the first of many

Then into the city proper seeing many examples of the distinctive Dutch architecture

One last stop before heading to the boat was at the

We were fortunate enough to get “tour” treatment, as we didn’t have to join the many who were waiting (for up to an hour and a half)

Pictures were not allowed inside, but of course cell phones were brandished quite often keeping the guards busy reminding people of the many posted signs.  Of course the “rules” didn’t apply to them.

It was a wonderful exhibit, we got to see many paintings I’ve never seen before.  What an amazing volume the man turned out in relatively few years.   Anyway, by the time we left the museum after being up for nearly twenty four hours, we were ready to head for our “home” for the next nine days

The “Alsvin”.   After a short nap, we struggled to get

DFD

To be continued…