Day 680, 13 Apr '16, Keukenhof - Tulip Mania! We have waited patiently for almost a month for the tulips to kick into gear. Well today was the day. We had planned an obscenely early start to avoid the hordes - but decided there was no actual rush and hordes wouldn't kill us. Eventually boarded the tram (step 1), jumped off at the Rijksmuseum (step 2), got on the 197 Airport Bus (full - chock-a-block - not an ounce of room for man nor luggage), though we got the last 2 seats. Off at the airport and into the 'express' queue for the Keukenhof Express Bus 858. Luca spent the hour's bus travel in his little carry bag - poking his head out and making friends at every opportunity. He was more than welcome at the Keukenhof gardens but we got a few filthy looks when we offloaded the little guy amongst the tulips - obviously not dog-loving Dutch people. The display was incredible - we discovered during our time in Amsterdam that tulips have a beautiful scent - a bit like red roses. It wasn't just the tulips that filled the air with their perfume - the hyacinths and spring flowers were also phenomenal. It was a stunning experience and has been on my bucket list for as long as I remember - even seeing the tulip farms along the roadside was splendid. It was a big day out - about an hour and a half in each direction and we finally made it home for a quick freshen up before heading out for an early dinner. Back to one of our Groupon discovery restaurants, Bistro Plancius - 3 courses and a spot of wine and then a long promenade around the town before an early night. Tomorrow it's off to Ireland for a month at our dear friends in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.