8. Diamonds and Tulips

B4 and Gandhi

09.05.2016 - 09.05.2016

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Monday, May 9, 2016

Today the alarm greets us; we have a flight to catch. First we're back at @seven for breakfast. Next, Edward collects us at the hotel for a visit to The Royal Asscher offices. We are ushered to the conference room where we sit and talk business like old friends before Mike brings out The Golden Book. After he dons white gloves, he gives us a tour of its pages. Kings and Queens, Princes and even Gandhi have signed this book as they passed through here. Deserved pride fills the room. B4 and I tour the facility and watch as diamonds are polished, jewelry is designed and marketing plans hatched. Too quickly it is time for us to head for Schiphol but first Lita has acquired for us tickets to Keukenhof.

For two months each year, aficionados are afforded the opportunity to view millions of tulip varieties growing in every direction. It is a flower lovers dream, beyond imagination for its vastness. The place is beautiful. Too quickly, however, it is time to depart. We’re off to Munich at 3:30.