Tulips, Canals, and Timeless Elegance: Raghunath’s Netherland Trip with Thrillophilia
Love does not just grow with time. It blossoms anew with every shared adventure.
For Raghunath and his wife, it was a pause button on the whirlwind of midlife responsibilities. At their age with two grown children and the weight of careers that had kept them always busy, they decided it was time to rekindle the magic that had sparked their love decades ago. With the romantic canals, timeless art, and tulip-dotted landscapes, the Netherlands seemed like the perfect place to rediscover each other.
“Do you think it is too late for an adventure like this?” his wife asked, squeezing Raghunath’s hand as the flight began its descent over Amsterdam.
“Not at all,” he replied with a soft smile. “If anything, it feels like the perfect time.”
Below them, the famous Dutch countryside unfolded like a painting - rows of windmills, sprawling tulip fields, and winding canals. They were stepping into a postcard-perfect dream, and neither could wait to see what lay ahead.
Where the Past and Present Dance Together
Amsterdam greeted them with fresh air and the tring tring of bicycles. Their hotel overlooked a quiet canal and its reflection waved in the soft afternoon light. After settling in, they decided to take a leisurely walk through Jordaan, which is known for its narrow streets and artistic flair.
As they wandered hand in hand, Raghunath stopped in front of a small cafe with flowers cascading from its window boxes. “Let us stop here. I hear the Dutch make the best stroopwafels.”
His wife laughed. “You and your sweet tooth! Alright, but only if we get coffee too.”
The cafe was cosy, with an air of quiet intimacy. They sat by the window and watched the world go by as they shared stories and memories from their early years together. Over the golden syrup-filled stroopwafels, they planned the rest of their day.
The next morning began with a canal cruise, which was a typical Amsterdam experience. As their boat glided past iconic landmarks - the stately Centraal Station, the arching Skinny Bridge, and the historic Oude Kerk - Raghunath’s wife leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Do you remember how we used to dream about travelling the world when we were in college?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, threading his fingers through hers. “And I think this is exactly what we imagined, isn’t it?”
The cruise ended near the Maritime Museum, and they spent the rest of the day exploring the area on foot. The sight of houseboats, street musicians, and vibrant markets filled their hearts with joy.
Tulips and Timeless Beauty in Dutch Countryside
Their journey took them next to the outskirts of Amsterdam, where the famous Keukenhof Gardens awaited. As they stepped into the sprawling park, a riot of colours welcomed them. Rows upon rows of tulips in every imaginable hue stretched out before them.
“Raghu, I feel like I have walked into a Van Gogh painting!” his wife exclaimed, her face lighting up with childlike wonder.
“Maybe I should try painting you here,” he teased, holding up his phone as if framing her for a portrait.
They strolled through the gardens and occasionally stopped to sit on a bench or take photos. Raghunath’s wife could not resist twirling in one of the quieter corners as the flowers swayed gently around her. He watched her, with a smile playing on his lips.
“You still have that same spark,” he said, taking her hand as she came back to him.
Later, they visited Zaanse Schans, which was frozen in time with its traditional windmills, wooden houses, and artisan workshops. They toured a working windmill, tasted freshly made cheese, and enjoyed the craftsmanship of wooden clogs.
“Do you think the kids would laugh if we brought home a pair of these?” his wife joked, holding up a pair of brightly painted clogs.
“They would definitely laugh,” Raghunath agreed, “but they would secretly love it.”
Art and Introspection in the Heart of the Netherlands
Their journey would not have been complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum, which was home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Raghunath’s wife stayed in front of The Milkmaid, captivated by the simplicity and emotion in the painting.
“It is amazing how something so ordinary can feel so profound,” she murmured.
Raghunath nodded, gazing at her instead of the artwork. “I know exactly what you mean.”
The couple spent hours wandering through the halls of the museum and admiring the art and history that filled every corner. The Night Watch left them both speechless as its grandeur and depth drew them into the world of the Dutch Golden Age.
Later, they found themselves at the Van Gogh Museum, where the vibrant colours and emotive brushstrokes of the artist seemed to mirror their own rediscovered passion.
“I read once that Van Gogh wrote to his brother, saying, ‘What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?’” Raghunath said, standing before Sunflowers.
“That is beautiful,” Ananya replied. “And I am glad we had the courage to attempt this - to pause life and come here together.”
A Moonlit Goodbye
On their final evening, they took a moonlit walk along the canals. The city seemed to glow under the soft light, its reflections shimmering in the water. They stopped at a bridge and leaned against the rail to soak in the stillness of the moment.
“Do you ever feel like we are living a second honeymoon?” his wife asked softly.
Raghunath smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe we are. Or maybe we are just remembering what it feels like to really live.”
For Raghunath and his wife, the Netherlands was a reminder that love, like a tulip in spring, can bloom again and again if tended with care. And as the city of canals whispered its goodbyes, they knew that the footprints they left behind would remain etched in their hearts forever.
Read more: Thrillophilia Netherlands Reviews