We left the ship at 8:15 am in order to arrive at Keukenhof early and avoid the crowds (if possible). While we were away from the ship, the Amalegro moved back to the river cruise ship dock in Amsterdam near the Central Station. The morning was cloudy and cool, but not raining. Traffic was horrendous, and the bus drivers got off the motorway and took the scenic route to Lisse, the site of the gardens. We passed through beautiful countryside and even saw a few fields of tulips. Our hopes were raised by the color.
Arriving at Keukenhof, our guides walked with us through the gardens to the Willem-Alexander pavilion. On the way, we passed by many beds of daffodils and some of tulips. I think we all let out a sigh of relief as we saw the colorful flower beds ringed by brilliant green grass, trees, and bushes. Keukenhof was in bloom! The flowers were not at their peak, but they were still spectacular. In another week, the blooms would be at their best. One good thing about visiting Keukenhof prior to the peak time is that the number of garden visitors was down from when I last visited several years ago. This sure made walking around the park more enjoyable!
Our time in the Keukenhof Gardens went way too quickly. As we made our way to the buses, I think we all made snapshots of the color in our minds. A few Amalegro passengers opted to stay at Keukenhof longer. They took a shuttle to nearby Schiphol Airport and then a train into the Central Station in Amsterdam, which was within easy walking distance of the Amalegro. We decided to return to the ship, have a nice lunch, and then have an easy afternoon in Amsterdam, followed by packing for the trip home.
More Information on Keukenhof Gardens
Spring Flower Pictures from Keukenhof Gardens
Next Page > > Disembarkation from the Amalegro > >
