Gin Crazy

 

We had a gin making class yesterday. Habitat Distillery is the brainchild of master concoctionist VlahoCarevic. After explaining the history of distilling and gin, he guided us through the process of picking what botanicals we would add to the still. Heat was added and soon drips began to collect in our shot glasses. Every few minutes we would replace glasses to catch the next phase of distilled liquid. Being lighter, the citrus distilled out quicker than the heavier cardamom..

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.

Weekend Dog

Weekend Dog

Afternoon in the Country

We did a wine tasting tour of a local winery in the countryside.  The farm has been in the same family for over 600 years. Now run by a 27 year old woman and her 25 year old brother. Their father now cures meat (amazing salami!). Grandma stills makes all the cheese. 

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

We found a unique candy store in the old city of Dubrovnik. Jellied eye balls, spun sugar fruits and many varieties of chocolate baubles. I bought a banana and huge strawberry. They had the consistency of an orange circus peanut. And the flavor was geared more for a ten year old’s palette.
 

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.

Kayaking the City Walls

We took a kayaking tour of the city walls yesterday. Our guide Josep gave us a history lesson as we paddled. These impressive walls were still in use during the 1990s war of independence. They guided us to a lovely cove for a swim. It was a fantastic start of our trip
 

Dubrovnik Villa

 

For our week in Dubrovnik, we will be staying at the Villa Aus. We have a garden apartment beneath the home of a gregarious Australian, Bob. The garden is watched over by a tortoise named Houdini. Pomegranate, mandarins, olive trees and rosemary permeate. The large jasmine bushes scent the air. 

Checking the Pots

 

While in New Hampshire, I went along with my brother to check his lobster pots. 3 pots, 3 lobsters. They were turned into lobster salad the following day