You may not know it, because we didn’t, but a lot of the cut flowers we enjoy in the U.S. come through Holland.  Our friend Rob took us to Allsmere where there is the largest flower auction.  He is in the business of cut flowers.  He showed us the whole business from receiving flowers from Africa, preparing them to go to the Auction, the Auction, and the process of getting them to their wholesalers…. we’re talking a wholesaler buying semi load after semi load of cut flowers.  He then distributes them to buyers around the world… perhaps even Oregon!

Waiting to go through the Auction

Some of Rob's greenery that will be found in bouquet's around the world

Stems of Bleeding Heart

These are called " Monk's Balls...."

Some of the wholesalers busy at bidding

The bidding takes place in 9 arenas.  It goes fast! It also takes place in offices, via internet.

The flowers travel on trolleys, that can be attached to an in floor moving system.  After they go through the arena, they are sorted by wholesaler and travel by trolleys, over the street in a bridge building where they are loaded up.  The logistics of it all is boggling!!!!

From the flower auction we went to Giethoorn, a lovely village that has a large portion of the town with NO STREETS/1

Our whisper boat captain.

The boat mascot, Harry "Sundae" Potter

There are bridges that cross from the mainland to some of the islands

A "driveway."

Cut reeds used for the thatched roofs

Working to gather reeds.

Hauling the reeds.

Lovely Giethoorn Home

Yes, it was very peaceful and relaxing!

We also discovered that most homes, located on streets, ALSO had waterways beside or behind their homes, with boats parked there.  All over the country of The Netherlands, there are canals that connect to other canalse, which allows you quite often to travel via boat to a variety of city and villages.  So cool!