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Further Afield's Journal
The Travel Nook
Vietnam & Cambodia
These two countries can be incorporated into a combined tour, but for the purpose of promotion we have to introduce them as individuals. Situated in South East Asia they share thousands of miles of a border. They have experienced a troubled history for decades.
Vietnam is a full communist state since 1975, North Vietnam had already been since 1954. It has a population of 100 million people, and its capital is Hanoi. Foreign investment is allowed and encouraged into the country. So there’s State capitalism and private capitalism, the state shares capital with capitalists to develop the country further. Cambodia is officially a constitutional monarchy and a multi-party state, the Cambodia People’s Party dominates the political system. They have a population of 17 million.
While visiting Vietnam, experience the cultural beliefs, values, and traditions. The elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth influence their way of living. When visiting the Temples and Pagodas witness the symbols that are worshipped in paintings, statues, carpets, and altars. The Dragon symbolizes power, nobility, and immortality of the Vietnamese Emperor, the Phoenix represents the Empress. The next is the Turtle symbolizing longevity, strength, and intelligence. Finally the Unicorn is the symbol of peace, mercy, and good fortune. The religious Temples or Pagodas are mainly worshiping Buddhism. There are over 20,000 such Temples to be found throughout the country with scores of monks to be seen, ranging in age from young boys, teenagers, and men. Walking devoutly and reverently, dressed in orange robes, heads shaven, and through the day singing and chanting, it’s just remarkable.
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi dates back to 1070 and was built to honour the Chinese philosopher and teacher, Confucius, whose belief was that people and society benefit from a moral outlook and lifelong learning. His Golden Rule was, “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others”, and also “A good education prevents evil”.
Hanoi has a multiplicity of attractions, a city centre lake gives you the opportunity to people watch as you enjoy a snack in the afternoon. Take a Rickshaw ride through the streets, browse the markets and enjoy the banter as you strike a deal for a souvenir, ‘did I really get a bargain’? Later in the evening enjoy a Puppet Show at one of the many theatres.
When in Vietnam one cannot but remember their history, that occupied our evening news in the 1960s and 70s. Taking a tour to the Hanoi Hilton Prison shows the horror that the POW’s went through. These were the camps where captured American soldiers were held, the camps were nicknamed such as the “Heartbreak Hotel” “Little Vegas” and “New Guy Village”.
Halong Bay, could be placed in the wonder of the world category. Taking a bus trip from Hanoi through the beautiful countryside and arriving at this unique paradise. Boarding a boat cruise that takes you out to the caves and around the islands, of which there are over 2,000. The cave system was discovered by a French explorer in 1901 and has been developed into a tourist attraction with visitors from around the world coming to see the remarkable stalactites and stalagmites, with magnificent columns some twenty feet high. Geological and archaeological studies have shown that millions of years have passed since some enormous tectonic movement occurred to cause this cavity in the hills along the coast line. Legends and folklore have a home in Halong Bay, it’s said that a reigning monarch centuries ago saw an enormous cloud descending on the bay, declaring it as a descending dragon the bay has retained its name ever since, Halong Bay.
In the Gulf of Tonkin, the Sung Sot Cave or Surprise Cave is well named, imagine the feeling of the person that first discovered this. The cave is 10 meters high at some points and 500 meters in length. It’s estimated that 2 million people come to visit the caves and islands each year, Sung Sot Cave is the most popular. While exploring the different facets and features of the place, allow your mind to wander and speculate on the reflections that appear on the floor or ceiling. What is it saying to you? The wonderful collection of colours to be witnessed within the caves can be attributed to the limestone qualities of the rocks. Spending the night on board the ship in the bay, with the sea stacks of islands reflecting on the water, gives you that loving shiver of delight that you have experienced this moment.
Departing the ship to board the bus in the morning that will take you to the next leg of your vacation. Flying from Hanoi Airport to Siem Reap in Cambodia. The Khmer empire that ruled Cambodia had a passion for building Temples in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, some more lavish than others in size and architectural design. Through the ages most of these went into decline and were abandoned, visitors today can find how forests and vegetation have taken over these buildings. Ta Prohm where ‘Tomb Raider’ was filmed has the most spectacular forest with mature trees that have intertwined their growth into the walls of the ruins or straddled buildings with their roots struggling to survive.
An early morning call is appreciated when you arrive at Angkor Wat, ‘The Kingdom of Wonder’ is a splendid Temple dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu. It’s the largest religious monument in the world and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It’s now a Buddhist temple. When visiting the shrine you will get an opportunity to see the monks and nuns worshipping and praying at the alters or have a chance to interact with them. The monks range in age from young boys to teenagers maturing into adulthood and old men. Some leave these monasteries after being educated, which they’re entitled to do, joining the workforce, getting married or continuing to teach in the Department of Education schools. The monastery cannot accommodate these monks and nuns so they get transport to this temple.
The cruise on the Mekong River begins with embarkation in the city of Kampong Chan. This river is a major trade route in Southeast Asia, having risen in Tibet it flows through China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam and enters the South China Sea at the Mekong Delta, having flowed over 5,000 kilometres of terrain.
The activities on and off the ship are varied. Walking through villages that have ‘stilted’ houses which have lasted more than 100 years, to protect them from the flood waters. The Cambodian people are so friendly, you must learn to say Hello in Khmer to them, and don’t be offended when they ask ‘How old are you’, it’s a fascination with them. Visit the loom-weaving houses and watch how the silkworms are woven into traditional scarves. Stop in at one of the local junior schools where the children will be delighted to show their expertise in speaking English.
Sailing to the capital city Phnom Penh, there’s a choice of visits on offer from the Royal Palace, the Central Market, and the areas associated with the atrocities that occurred during the Khmer Rouge regime and Pol Pot. The orientation tour of the city by the Tuk Tuk transportation system is wonderful, a four person trailer hooked up to a motorbike that takes you through the main and side streets, through the markets, city parks with stops along the way for photographs.
One of the highlights of your trip is a 10-minute ride on a Cambodian limousine. After a short transfer from the ship to the village of Kampong Tralach, you will have the authentic experience of an oxcart ride. These animals have been domesticated and have been used on farms to plough, till and sow from time immemorial. Two oxen are yoked up to a cart with two iron wheels that’s capable of carrying two passengers and a driver. This journey ends at the entrance to a beautiful monastery where after a walk in the gardens you will be treated to a Buddhist blessing ceremony.
As the cruise continues down the Mekong River and sails from Cambodia into Vietnam waters, there’s a border crossing where passport control checks are done. It’s an experience in itself to watch how this happens in the middle of the river. This is time consuming but the cruise management have items in place to pass the time.
As the ship enters Vietnamese waters tenders take you to see hidden gems on the tributaries of the Mekong, houses, small markets, workshops, and restaurants. Docking later at Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, we see the famous Presidential Palace, and the War Museum.
Vietnam has been no stranger to wars. France had colonized the country in 1887 to 1954 apart from WWII when Japan occupied it. France returned again until 1954. They had little or no success and left in 1956. Communism had spread to North Vietnam at this stage and divided the country. The US had military advisors in Vietnam since the early 1950s. With the spread of communism in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe after WWII there was the expectation that there might be a domino effect in these regions. The Berlin Wall had been erected in 1961. American troops were sent into Vietnam in 1965 to support South Vietnam from the invading forces from the North. They were there until 1975 when they were forced to withdraw after the fall of Saigon.
There’s a visit to the tunnels of Cu Chi, an area about 2 hours drive from Saigon. These tunnels were used prior to WWII to store food supplies that were being hidden from colonial landlords. When war broke out in 1965 they were extended and developed as military bases. Some of them are three levels below ground, air shafts set at 45° angles protect those underneath, escape exits camouflaged in the jungle, cooking kitchens with smoke extraction vents have to be admired. I had the opportunity to enter one of these tunnels and I found it a maze within a maze.
For more information give Further Afield Travel and Tours a call.
ANTARCTICA - WHY VISIT
"We leave nothing behind but our footprints” and “take nothing away but our memories". When you’re looking for a destination vacation, Further Afield Travel has the answer. Join us on the adventure of a lifetime. An Antarctica cruise.
This area is remote, awe inspiring, it’s the coldest, windiest, and yet the driest of all the continents, being the fifth largest of the seven, it’s twice the size of Australia, and about 30% larger than Europe. When you’re walking on that Ice Sheet, remember that the thickness underneath you is 2 Km, Antarctica is the highest elevation continent on earth, with an average elevation of 2,500 metres or 8,200 feet. The continent contains 90% of the world’s ice and 80% of its fresh water.
The cruise begins from the colourful city of Ushuaia, the capital city of Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America, that’s divided between Argentina and Chile, it’s the most southern city in the world. As the cruise ship sails from Ushuaia you’ll be sailing south by the Beagle Channel, leaving the Strait of Magellan, and Cape Horn, behind you. Cape Horn is where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans collide, opposing currents clash as vast volumes of water channel through the Drake Passage, causing huge and irregular waves that come from different directions.
The activities that one experiences on this cruise are spectacular. The Zodiacs, (small vessels) that carry 12 guests plus crew are capable of landing on the continent in different areas depending on the Captain’s choice on a particular day. Being up close and personal with the Penguins is a school day in experimentation. Watch the male as he begins the initial phase of courtship, bowing his head and pointing his beak towards the female’s feet, if she’s interested she will return the gesture, the conquering hero will then strut around at least two feet taller than before, making sounds comparable to singing. It’s quite amusing when you see these tuxedoed styled males carrying on the same ritual with the soon-to-be female partner hiding in the background.
The couple work together in raising their chicks, protecting the young from predators and gathering food. The young are targeted by birds such as the albatross, petrels, egrets, cormorants and skuas. When the adults are in the water trying to catch fish their biggest enemy are the seals and whales. There’s an estimated 10 million species of penguins in the Southern Ocean or the Antarctic Ocean.
The Zodiacs also will also carry you close to the icebergs, glaciers, ice floes and journeying into one of the dormant Volcano Pools. Listen to glaciers moan and groan in their slouching movements to the freezing ocean.
The culinary offerings on board the ship will more than satisfy your desires. Beverages are to be had at all meals or when your thirst demands it. After dinner most evenings there are guest speakers and lectures on the explorers of the Antarctic and the South Pole. Hear the stories of the Norwegian sealers and whalers that first came here to hunt in the area.
Antarctica is governed by 30 countries worldwide, in 1959 a treaty was agreed on and signed into law. There’s no military activity, mining, nuclear explosions, or disposal of nuclear waste. In the Summertime (October to March) about 5,000 people live in different parts of the continent, doing research, fishing, and tourism. That number drops below 1,000 in the winter. Environmental protection is very high on the researchers’ studies. With an increase in tourism it’s important to consider the effects that their footprints might be having.
There’s always something of a challenge to do on the ship, the one I’m speaking of is not so much on the ship but beside it. A polar plunge, the waters were cold, but the spirit was willing and so with a sudden rush of blood I agreed to participate. Togged out for the occasion I head for the water, before jumping a harness is placed around your waist with a rope attached. I jumped in and survived to tell the tale.
I love the policy that the staff on the cruise ships have. “We leave nothing behind but our footprints” and “Take nothing away but our memories”.
South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park.
Taking a trip to South Africa will rate as one of your most memorable vacations. Beginning this experience is comparable to laying the foundation stone of a life’s dream extravaganza.
Toronto to Amsterdam the Dutch capital, then onto Cape Town in South Africa where we begin with five nights in Cape Town city.
Our days include outings to Table Mountain, the iconic landmark plateau of over 1,000 metres accessible by cable car, looking out on the Atlantic Ocean and Table Bay. South African wine is famous worldwide and a visit to the Stellenbosch region to gaze on the beautiful layout of the winery estates and taste its produce, encouraged by a titivation of chocolate on the palate is a splendid combination for the day. A stop at Boulders Beach to watch the penguins strutting in and out of the water, watching over their chicks with condescending respect for our presence. Visiting gardens, museums, galleries and aquariums. Taking a tour down to the Cape of Good Hope, so called after the Portuguese had managed to sail around it to the Indian Ocean. The Waterfront area of Cape Town has an abundance of restaurants, bars, cafes and stores to visit. Take a cruise on the bay or visit Robben Island. The island lies 45 minutes sailing off the coast of Cape Town, this was a purpose built prison which opened in 1961 to incarcerate political prisoners who protested against apartheid. It was also used for convicted criminals. The maximum security prison for political prisoners closed in 1991, and for criminals in 1995. This is where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of a 27 years sentence, probably the best recognizable name throughout the world, Robben Island is now a visitors centre.
Nelson Mandela was a member of the ANC, (the African National Congress) a group that was formed after the introduction of an apartheid regime that was established by law in 1948 when the National Party was elected to government. These were Afrikaans, a minority white Nationalist Party who passed a series of laws in 1950 giving them the right to rule as a minority government over Blacks, Indians and Coloured. The country was segregated into racial groups. Millions were forcefully removed from their homes, restricted and confined within tribal homelands according to ethnicity and also denied the right to vote. The whites had the privilege of living in the towns and cities.
This system of apartheid was supported in many parts of the world because the ANC membership included the South African Communist Party. The ANC were forced underground and many of its members were in exile while others including Mandela were imprisoned. World attention to the system was crying out for change and sanctions against trading or investment with South Africa started to have a detrimental effect on the country. In the 1980s the president P.W. Botha who had been in power from 1978 to 1989 was forced to resign. F.W. de Clerk was elected president. He had met Mandela on a number of occasions and was anxious to work with him. Aware of the difficulties in the country, he took the drastic step of unbanning the ANC and releasing Nelson Mandela from his life imprisonment sentence. It was a brave step. Mandela had a huge impact on the country, he got the different factions that had fought against apartheid to come together, encouraging foreign investment into the nation, promoting education, construction, finance, technology development, and scientific research. Today South Africa is a beacon of light and hope for many people and nations. Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994-1999 with F.W. de Clerk as vice president. He did not seek re-election in 1999, dying at the age of 95 years in 2013, his life was well spent. “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others”. It’s a privilege to witness a country that has experienced such hurt and hatred. Studying revolutions against oppression and injustice worldwide education has proven to be a powerful weapon.
Departing Cape Town, a 2 hour and 30 minutes flight will take us to Hoedspruit airport, once a military airport, now a small destination point for local businesses and tourists. A half hour drive to Kapama Private Game Reserve lodge is our home for three nights. Set on 30,000 acres of land consisting of woodland, small lakes, scrubland, rivers and water holes for elephants and hippos to immerse themselves in. Our days start with a morning call at 5.30 am, it’s certainly worth it. Driving on these safaris through the wilderness spotting giraffes picking the leaves off the tops of trees or watching elephants pushing trees over for their calves to get the leaves and twigs. Lions and leopards lying in the shade. Impala’s unaware that they are being watched and measured for supper or dinner. Hyenas and wild dogs, rhinos, birds of all species from owls, vultures to songbirds. That morning call to watch the early risers is compensated by a late afternoon drive to see what happens in the twilight of the evening and after dark.
You will see the Big Five. The Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros that are elegant in their stature and confidence, but look at the Ugly Five, The Warthog, Vulture, Wildebeest, Marabou Stork, Hyena. They have a beauty all of their own, moving in a motion that has you looking and wondering if they are going somewhere or leaving from a crime scene. It’s true the Creator overlooked them in colour or gracefulness but they do justify their existence in cleaning up the leftovers, from deaths either natural or kills for survival, which prevents any harm that might occur should they not be there.
After 3 nights at Kapama Lodge we move to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. From the hotel grounds you can hear the soothing sound of the water falls. I think back to my school days and the phrase “Doctor Livingstone I presume” comes to mind. David Livingstone was a Scottish explorer, he married Mary Moffat, whose family was a very devout Christian missionaries. He joined the London missionary society and worked in Africa, he was a strong supporter of the abolition of slavery. Britain had done so in 1833. As an explorer his obsession was to discover the source of the River Nile, believing that if he had the recognition of achieving something among his peers they would listen when he spoke. He was a very well known explorer. Having travelled across Africa from East to West. Arriving in Zimbabwe in 1855 he was the first European to witness the magnificent Falls. He named the incredible sight after his British sovereign monarch at the time, Queen Victoria. The Falls are among the seven natural wonders of the world. The Zambezi River divides the two countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It travels through six nations for over 2,700 Km. Over the next few years there were some reported sightings of Livingstone, in 1866 it’s known that he set off for the River Nile, then nothing, there were those who believed he had died.
In 1871 the New York Herald employed the explorer Henry Stanley to lead an expedition to Africa to find David Livingstone. He had a party of 100 porters with him. For six months the party was ravaged by diseases of one kind or another. Having reached Tanzania and 700 miles of a journey they heard stories of a white man in a local village. Stanley strolled into the village dressed as best he could. Livingstone was not in the best of health yet Stanley extended his hand and asked the now famous question, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” I presume Livingstone answered in the affirmative. He refused to travel back with the rescuers, and died in 1873.
A boat cruise on the Zambezi River as the evening sun begins to set, having watched herds of buffalo, and elephants down by the river with prides of lions eagerly watching for a moment where a small mistake might mean a wholesome meal. Crocodiles are in the water close by also anxiously awaiting their quota. Baby elephants in the care of mature adults are a wonderful sight to behold in the circle of life. Birds sitting on the backs of these animals are welcomed as they pick at the ticks who think they’re prospecting for gold. The sun has set and dinner is served as the water laps the boat to the tranquil beat of a distant bongo drum.
The Victoria Rain Forest is the only place in the world where it rains every single day of the year. From September to December visitors can actually swim to the edge of the Falls at the Devil’s Pool, not to be attempted without an escorted guide. When viewing the Falls you have an accompanying guide who will take you through the walk pointing out the various gorges, rock formations, evidence of volcanic eruptions, answering questions in connection with the rain forest and other details. The walk is done at a leisurely pace and takes about one hour and 30 minutes.
Away from the Falls there is an elephant sanctuary where orphaned or injured elephants are treated and nursed back to health. The operators of this sanctuary will then take the animals to a nearby half-house (figuratively speaking) to observe if they can return to the wild. The experience of this visit brings you up close and personal with the animals. Even though these elephants are familiar with people they are still wild creatures and have got to be treated with respect and care.
Leaving the town of Victoria Falls we cross from Zimbabwe to Botswana and the Chobe Game Lodge. The Chobe River creates the border between Botswana and Namibia, being a landlocked country, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe borders it as well.
Chobe Lodge offers game activities up to three times a day, on the river and on jeeps. The herds of elephants in Botswana number 80,000 which are very plentiful in the Chobe National Park. Buffalo herds are an amazing sight when you’re on the river as thousands graze on the plains. Wildebeests, zebras and impalas are more than plentiful. Botswana is remarkable for the amount of prides of lions to be seen, this is understandable judging by the size of herds of big game to choose from.
A troop of Baboons are a delightful encounter on a drive, morning or evening. Mothers carrying their babies, the Alpha Male protects the female and the young from predators including other males who are willing to compete to remove this leader.
Jackals, Wild Dogs, Hyenas, Leopards and lions are all ready to eat any of the carnivores roaming the plains but while they attack and kill each other they will not consume that meat, it’s too tough.
Departing Botswana to Johannesburg and flying back through Amsterdam to Toronto. Your adrenaline is still high. An invasion of the mind after such an experience is more than understandable.
Gems of Ireland Signature Tour 2025
Come share our popular trip to Ireland, where every day is a surprise. There are no strangers here, only friends you have never met. This island perched on the edge of Europe has been an attraction since time immemorial.
Travellers and explorers, wondering if they continued west would they fall off the edge of the world. From Stone Age, Bronze and Iron Age to Celts, Vikings, Normans, Anglo-Normans and British. They all seemed to want a slice of the pie, except the Romans. They decided it was too cold and described the place as Hibernia, the land of eternal winter.
Listen to the folklore, stories of fairy tales, leprechauns, Druids and Banshees, History dating back thousands of years, as can be witnessed in the megalithic tombs at Newgrange, Co. Meath associated with the Winter Solstice or Poulnabrone dolmen, Co. Clare. Visit the Hill of Tara, the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the celebration by the Druids of the Summer Solstice.
This tour takes you to Northern Ireland where you see the Titanic Visitors Centre in Belfast as we tour this iconic city. The Giants Causeway in Antrim is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. An amazing experience in Omagh Co. Tyrone is the American Folk Museum which gives a very detailed view of the history of migration from that particular region. Thomas Mellon and his family moved to Pennsylvania in the 1800s and became a very successful American businessman. He was involved in founding the Mellon Banking Company, a member of the judiciary, a lawyer, in later life he became involved in the coal mining and steel industry, accumulating a very healthy bank balance. The folk park in Co. Tyrone is a monument to the family’s ancestors.
Driving on the western side of the island is sheer joy, gazing out onto the Atlantic Ocean with the views of cliffs disappearing into crashing waves of foaming, raging waters. Beautiful beaches and isolated villages, sheep ignoring your presence, cows relaxing in green pastures.
A trip to the Aran Islands out in Galway Bay is the essence of nostalgia. The three islands cover about 40 square kilometres in total. The Atlantic storms that have swept across these islands over millennia have left an incredible amount of stone and rock in their wake. The three islands are a composition of limestone deposits that are typical of this area. Farmers living on the islands for generations began to create land. Building dry stone walls to divide portions of land, both for crop rotation or animal husbandry, ownership of property was defined then taking seaweed from the shoreline and spreading it over the sheet of rock, seeds were spread on top, some grasses eventually began to grow, root crops were planted, e.g potatoes, turnips, carrots, cabbages etc. These did not mature to anything worth eating but they did turn into fertilizer and eventually a degree of soil began to develop. Today the dry stone walls collectively measure approximately 2,500 kilometres, which were the solution to a tricky problem that has been solved over generations of islanders. The stone walls are about 4 - 6 feet in height. The pattern of these dry stone walls are a remarkable feature of the Irish landscape and can be seen in many parts of the western counties. It was a labour intensive operation and a piece of artwork to get each stone interlocking without mortar or concrete, gaps in the walls allow wind to pass through. The design of the walls ensures that even after centuries exposed to extreme weather conditions, Atlantic storms, gale force winds these examples of skill and know-how are in existence to this day relatively intact. Watch the movie from bygone days “The Man of Aran” by Robert Flaherty, which shows the process of how the islanders created arable land. These men were also fishermen, watch “Riders to the Sea”, a play by John Millington Synge. Today, the numbers of visitors to the islands are sufficient to sustain the island’s population and indeed is contributing to the emigration from the island somewhat. Working from home is great for people in remote areas.
Peat bogs or turf covered in sweet mountain thyme and beautiful purple heather in the glow of a September afternoon add that feeling of peace and tranquility. A touch of Autumn is in the air as the foliage surrenders to the elements. Spend an evening in a local restaurant or bar where the background music serenades your enjoyment of the local cuisine. To experience the music of a bar or pub you’ll be always welcome, whether you partake in an alcoholic drink or not.
The cities and towns of Ireland are much more diverse than modern cities. The height of the buildings are restricted and therefore the urban areas spread out resulting in very heavy traffic mornings and evenings particularly in the larger cities and towns.
Sporting events such as Gaelic football and hurling are amateur sports that are supported throughout the country. Rugby and soccer have their fans who can be seen at all levels. Horse racing takes place in every county, there are no casinos but betting shops will be found in all towns big and small. Entertainment and adventure has no boundaries, walking, hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding and others are all available.
Join us for that trip that will end up by you asking yourself why have I not been here before or waiting to return home to tell your friends, family and colleagues what’s in Ireland to make it feel like home.
Tulips from Amsterdam
The Netherlands has a history of growing tulips since they were first introduced here from Turkey in the 16th century. The flowers originated in Central Asia and were cultivated in Iran (Persia) in the 10th century. Carolus Clusius the famous French botanist began to cultivate plants such as tulip, potato and turnip from various parts of the world.
His expertise in the cultivation of tulips in the Roman emperor’s garden in Vienna brought him to the attention of The Dutch Botanical Gardens. His publications of a number of books and articles on the bulbs and flowers led to what was to become known as ‘Tulipmania’. This was the rage of the 1600s so much so that botanists were in high demand in palaces, manor houses, universities, and noble residences. Tulips grew (pardon the pun) to become more valuable than gold and 10 times more than a commoner’s annual wage. A strain of tulip started to appear, this was red with distinctive white streaks on the petals. It wasn’t known for centuries afterwards that in fact this was a virus that was causing an infection in the petals. The virus was ‘Tulip Breaking Virus’ known today as TBV. The demand for tulip bulbs steadily increased from the start of the 1600s. As word spread the value increased and more people wanted to get involved. The demand in 1636 skyrocketed, some varieties like the ‘Semper Augustus’ were costing $10,000 guilders, the price of a house in Amsterdam. The craze lasted one year and in what today would be classed as a ‘Boom to Bust’ no one could afford the astronomical prices. The demand fell or people got a grip of themselves.
The Netherlands today is the largest exporter of tulips worldwide, that figure is 2 billion annually, 77% of all flower bulbs come from the Netherlands and seedlings account for $3.8 billion in exports. The country is remarkably flat with the highest elevation of only 70 meters. As a result it has a very favourable climate, fertile soil and innovative greenhouse technology that contributes to its tremendous production capacity.
The Flower Shop of the World. Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.
The flower park consists of 32 hectares of gardens, (that’s 80 acres approximately), water features, pathways and flowers of every description imaginable. Every year 7 million flower bulbs are planted by hand in the autumn, to flower in the spring. The method of planting is unique. For a colourful garden to stay pretty for 8 weeks you have to have different species of flowers maturing every few weeks, hearing the methods of sowing is a 3 year course in horticulture, in one day. 800 different varieties of tulips are on display. Known as the ‘Garden of Europe,’ it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens. While tulips are the dominant flower you’ll see hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, irises and carnations. The garden festival starts the third week of March and continues for 8 weeks ending on the third week of May. There are roughly about 25,000 visitors a day during the festival but when you consider the size of the park it’s a very comfortable venue even with that volume of people.
The Keukenhof estate dates back to the 15th century. In 1640 a castle was built and records show that the estate had over 200 hectares. In 1857 the castle gardens were redesigned. In 1949, 20 of the Netherlands top growers and exporters got together and opened the estate to exhibit spring flowering bulbs. The birth of the world’s most beautiful flower and bulb exhibitions was in 1950, apart from the Covid-19 pandemic the gardens have been opened continuously since, and looking forward to celebrating 75 years of bloom and bliss in 2025.
Say it with Flowers. The language of flowers, symbols and meanings.
Red Tulips, the Romantic type, their deep red hue evokes feelings of passion, love and lust. Making them popular for new young couples.
Orange ones convey a sense of understanding and appreciation between two people in a relationship. Both are physically and spiritually connected.
If you’ve a liking for Yellow you display happiness, cheerfulness and hope. The sunshine of your smile. Plant yellow tulips in your front garden for good luck and prosperity.
Purple tulips, a sign of wealth. Queen Elizabeth I forbade everyone except the Royal Family from wearing purple.
White tulips, they are a token of sympathy, sorrow or condolences.
If you are presenting Pink tulips, you are congratulating someone for the birth of a baby, maybe on getting a job or a promotion.
Blue Tulips are the rarest of colours for these bulbs. They convey calmness and serenity. Blue is the most difficult of colours to achieve in flowers.
In the Netherlands the latest figures for 2023 is that $3.5 billion worth of fruit and vegetables were exported, with the flowers, bulbs and seedlings amounting to $11.0 billion. Agriculture, horticulture and the food sector employs 636,000 or 9% of the Dutch workforce, this includes all of the supporting industries that’s involved.
Canada and the Netherlands have close ties with each other. When WWII broke out the Dutch Royal family fled to England where they were treated as ‘the government in exile.’ In 1940 the Queen sent her heir Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana and daughters to Canada. Arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia in June, they later settled in Ottawa. In 1943 Princess Margriet was born to Princess Juliana and Prince Bernard. When the war ended and the Royal family returned to the Netherlands, as a show of gratitude each year 10,000 tulips are sent to Ottawa, a bed of pink and purple tulips was developed in the Civil Campus of the Ottawa Maternity Hospital where the Princess was born and another was planted in the Commissioners Park. The tulips are still sent to this day. On occasions when the Dutch government are invited to Canada it’s usually Princess Margriet who does the honours, after all she is the only royal blood to have been born here. After the D-Day landings in France on June 6th 1944 the Canadian and Allied forces moved northwards through France, Belgium and eventually the Netherlands which was liberated in April and May 1945. The Dutch people owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Canadian army and the Canadian nation. From 1947 to 1954 more than 80,000 Dutch citizens migrated to Canada, these were mostly farmers who moved to Southern Ontario and Alberta. Their ancestors are still farming here today.