We finally got to the Prosecco bar near the house to view our final sunset. Periodic showers had the staff running around protecting the furniture cushions but we took refuge with a British couple on an upper, protected deck. When the sun did pop out, the result was pure Hudson Valley painter bliss.
Sunday, October 06, 2024
Slow Boat to Cavtat
Saturday, October 05, 2024
Gin Crazy
My flavoring was bitter orange, lemon, lemon verbena and sage.
At the end of the process, we were left with a base gin and 4 glasses of differing distillates. We then tasted and chose which of those four glasses we liked and combined. I liked three of mine, Kim used two.
Now we wait for two weeks to let everything mingle.
Fascinating guy, fascinating class.
Peacock Island
We took the 15 minute ferry from Dubrovnik to Lokrum island. The place is the home of a lot of peacocks. They were even uninvited lunch guests. The botanical gardens were very much like Southern California. The rain held off and sunshine prevailed enough for Kim to take a swim
Weekend Dog
One of the reasons to come to Dalmatia was to see the land that bred our beloved Seven. Our kayak guide told us that the origin of the Dalmatian came from sailors returning from Eygpt and breeding those dogs with a local variety. Whatever the story, they are gorgeous.
Friday, October 04, 2024
Afternoon in the Country
Our young host studied tourism and small business in Zagreb through a program hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Our group consisted of 7 women and myself. When I suggested that this could institute a harem, a lady from Brisbane countered that perhaps I should be put on a leash! After 4 glasses of wine, we had 6 shots of their local liquor. Grappas and fruit liqueurs. The conversation ran from wine to politics to London boyfriends.
Afterwards, we were driven to the lovely and quiet port town of Cavtat . Much less busy than Dubrovnik. We walked the seaside streets with our now good friends from Australia (retirees Ann and Suzy), English lass Rachel and our France pair. One of the French girls (a Nina Hagen look alike) and I bonded over a mutual love of bourbon and gin. Our first gelato of the trip and a walk at sunset along the water.
Kid in a Candy Store
Wednesday, October 02, 2024
Medieval Horrors
After our kayaking, we spent a fascinating tour of the old town with guide Vesna. Told with humor and tragedy, she related the ways crime and punishment were dealt with in the 15th and 16th centuries. Legal prostitution, humane orphanages and abysmal convents were discussed.
Favorite story was of a convicted master criminal caught and sentenced to hang. He was led to the gallows by the Pile (pee-lay) gates for execution. So many people crowded the drawbridge that it collapsed, killing 7. In the ensuing chaos, the criminal escaped. He was eventually caught and held in jail until the current stone bridge was built. This time the crowds were safe as he met his fate.