As we depart the dike area, Marjan asks if I would like to take a leisurely train ride. All right, a slow train ride through the town with my beautiful hostess. On our way we pass the typical tourist shops, with hats, shirts and such. I make a few purchases that I can pick up at the Main gate later. The flowers are in full bloom and everything is well manicured and orderly, with a security officer on every corner. I ask if there is a problem with vandalism but Marjan says that the Dutch Slogan is “More blue in the streets”. We enter the Berlage Station and board the Keukenhof Express. A nice slow exit from the station and down through the flowerbeds, into a tunnel, only to emerge at a high rate of speed heading for a building.

A sharp turn, through another building, into another tunnel and then back to the station. I must have lost something in the translation of leisurely, because the whole experience was over in less than a half a minute. Marjan chuckles as we depart the station. She said we could get an on-ride photo of the expression on my face when we were headed for oblivion. Again, “Expect the unexpected” rings in my ears.

After our laugh, we head on over to Amsterdam for some refreshment. I amble on, taking in the sights of the canals and the distant sound of a celebration going on. We stop at the De Drie Pinten for some Slavinken, Roggebrood and a tall cold one. This area is large, with one of Earl’s double chair swings right in the middle of the complex. We finish off our wonderful dessert called Haagse bluf and coffee, and head over one of the many bridges, passing a camera shop along the way. I stop and get some fresh batteries for the digital. Everything you could imagine has been so well thought out and blended in. Again, the attention to detail, shows off the great talent of the creator.

We hop aboard a couple of Bumper boats in the canal, ah, just kids again, having fun and getting wet. To dry off, it’s off to The Tilted Whirler. This has to be one of my all time favorites at any fair or carnival. My hats off to Dan for making it available to the RCT2 Community. There’s the Whipper, Skydiver, Spinning Cups and Swinger.