THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 - KUEKENHOF GARDENS & THE REDLIGHT DISTRICT

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 - KUEKENHOF GARDENS - The following morning our plans were to meet our group at the Centraal Station for the transport to the Kuekenhof Gardens so Conny had to come to our apartment early to open the stairway so that we could depart.  The plans were to meet at the Centraal Station and use a regional public transportation to the Kuekenhof Gardens arriving prior to the many special "Kuekenhof buses" that were loaded with visitors.  Since the last leg of our transfer was a regular regional bus we were let off with a brisk walk required to reach the gardens.

 

Below, our first encounter with the bicycle culture of The Netherlands.

This appeared to be a group of teenagers, boys and girls, perhaps on a school outing.  We soon learned that almost every street or road has a bike path, which at first look appears to be a pedestrian path but DEFINITELY IS NOT.  Pedestrians must yield to bikes and constantly be on the look out for them to avoid being "mowed down" by them.
Our nice "brisk" walk gave us some of the many views of the Kuekenhof Gardens.

50 shades of red...

A "whisper" boat took us through whole fields of colors.

Outside   

 And inside greenhouses

 

The roses in the greenhouse were breathtaking  

 

 

 Including those with multiple colored pedals

 

After a nice lunch in one of the cafeterias on site, our group reassembled for the bus ride back to Amsterdam on public transportation, arriving at Centraal Station after 3 p.m. and then back to our lodgings.  When we arrive at the apartment, Conny tells us that they elevator is repaired and we can use it again.

 

Our next group activity was a gathering outside in front of the Victoria Hotel (across from Centraal Station) at 8:00 p.m. for Randy Roy's Redlight Tours.  (We were told that pictures were not allowed so I did not bring a camera).  However, I did sneak a couple of pictures:  one of a display in the window of a store that sold condoms, and the second of an unidentified street scene in the Redlight District.  The girls in the windows all seem to be talking on their cell phones; the smell of marijuana is very strong; and the night is young!  We end up at a gay bar where our guide arranges with management to "buy us a drink".

After our "drink" our guide gave us instructions of how to get to the public transportation nearby and we all returned to our lodgings for the night.