From the Archives Santana Row Part One

Nothing like observing people playing chess. I am talking about adults as well as children. 

It was nice to see these kids making the right moves, and not engaged in some electronic games indoor.    

While I was watching them play, she really knocked off his pawn with her horse (you can see it in the video)

These are some of the pictures and video footage that I had in my archives – some that I shot two years ago at Santana Row, San Jose, California.

I liked the general ambiance of the place with elderly couples having a relaxed evening 

The entrance to the Vintage Wine Bar caught my attention and I thought that I should click it. The next time I go there I must make it a point to go inside as I heard that their two for one flight/glass during Happy Hours is great. 

Liked the way the leaves decorated the  El Jardin Tequila Bar  

Almost all the tables were occupied and there was a group playing some calypso music   

I could not get what the crooners were singing but the beat was really catchy   

The crowd started trickling in and the attendants were all ready to start the heaters   

Not far from the Bar, our friends were engaged in their mental war of wits.  

 

As the lights came on, the crowd started swelling and people were jostling for standing space, but they were in a happy mood swaying to the rhythm of the music.  

The game went on under special lights 

The same night there was a special cycle rally that passed through Santana Row – more on that in the next episode.

Keukenhof II

Within Keukenhof garden there is a small farm house. A good way to get children (and adults) familiar with the farm animals. The animals are very docile and don’t mind the kids petting them. In fact the zoo itself is called “petting zoo”

A glimpse of the Dutch Cheese over here - and you can buy them too.

Some artistic arrangements with the same theme. An used tyre from one of the farms as the flower pot.

We have a pair of clogs and it has found its place in our  loft, but now after wifey sees this flower arrangement I know that pair is going to see the daylight (in our garden)

In fact its how you place the flowers and where you place them that makes the difference.

OK, as it is Keukenhof, it is time for you to see some flowers:

I like these tricycles placed at strategic places for the sale of the ice cream.

Landscaping is an art and I was fortunate enough to get some good photographs of them as I happened to be at this part of the garden in the evening which created those long shadows:

OK its time for some more flowers:

I grabbed a bite from the cafeteria and proceeded with the exploring. I should not call it a cafeteria as it was a full-fledged eating place, better than a high class restaurant.

At the entrance of Orange Nassau there is a huge Classified list and international register of Tulip names. I clicked this picture at an angle by which the names look tiny but the Indian Actress Aishwarya’s name is on the top line (its alphabetically listed)

Those who are interested in the history of the flower, there is the Historical Garden 

For those who are not interested in smelling the flowers – a chess board to while away the time – king size.

Time for more flowers:

Tulipa 'Roze Leen'

Tulipa 'Yellow springgreen'

I think all are getting an overdose of flowers . . . .  . . . so we continue in the next post - Keukenhof part 3 

 The earlier post had a mention about the Windmill at Keukenhof.