TBT:OUR DIAMOND IN DUBROVNIK

 TBT: OUR DIAMOND IN DUBROVNIK  Awaiting us at the  designated harbor was more than just our yacht, the MS DIAMOND. Actually, the yachts raft up, meaning one boat ties to the dock and the others tie up alongside each other, like a floating row of boats.  So one walks onto the boat tied to the dock and walks through each boat until you reach your own craft. We became quite proficient at this yacht hopping (one stop five across with 6 being the most permitted.) Very efficient. Synchronized departures with the outermost departing first...

Fortunately, our cruise director, Ivan, was awaiting our arrival and after introductions, handed out room keys so we could get settled. He also told us about the closest eateries for lunch. We would be having a welcome dinner and meeting that evening to explain our 8 day cruise and about a daily itinerary post (with suggested restaurants ) on a whiteboard so we could use our cells to take screenshots. (NOTED: first eco effort)

This was the Diamond's first cruise of the season. She runs 8-day cruises along the Croatian coast from Dubrovnik up to Split /vice versa.  Known for its good food and guided tours it has been part of Zantium Travel's fleet since 2015, refitted in 2024. I especially loved the remodeled cabin bathroom, with a large glass shower, a large shower handle, and a vanity with a deep drawer.

Passenger capacity is 38 for their 18 cabins, all with private bathrooms, AC, safe, hairdryer, TV, and no-charge WiFi. The cabins were European size, you know, SMALL. We were only 16 passengers hailing from Brisbane, Australia, St. Louis, Mo, Northwest (Washington/Oregon Me bad for not remembering), Chicago, Il, La Crosse, WI, Russellville, and Little Rock, AR. So we really got to know each other at meals and downtime. 

Above the cabin main floor was a lounge area, restaurant, bar,  kitchen, and captain's bridge. Above that, a covered upper lounge, big sundeck and hot tub.

Most of our crew were very friendly newbies with varying degrees of English proficiency. None of us knew any Croatian. We had the advantage of avoiding staff 'burnout' traveling at the beginning of the season. 

There were many advantages to not being in a large cruise ship that could not enter the small ports like we could.  Here's Zantium's link, should you want to check them out. 

https://www.zantium-travel.com/en/croatia-cruises/

 

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: A MUST SEE

MIDWEEK MUSINGS  DAY 2 

With a new gorgeous half-day to explore Dubrovnik on our own, we ate a late breakfast in the old city and then four of us opted for the self-guided,  full mile-long walking loop of the City Walls, with its towers and fortresses that protected the Republic for centuries, keeping it independent. 

Spectacular views await the visitor of both inside the bustling old city and its stunning Adriatic waters.

Walking above the city also removed us from the throngs of big cruise ship visitors' midday arrival. 

The loop took us a good hour and a half, replete with their panoramic views, numerous picture taking stops, and, of course, a little shopping.

Be sure to allow 1-2 hours to make the loop. Due to a time constraint, we did not purchase the additional museum stops. 

Also, we knew we would be having a guided city tour the next day with the other yacht passengers.

 Our eyes and feet were busy enough.

One could definitely see the historic layers of the city.

 We were also voyeurs seeing into people's courtyards, private gardens and laundry, albeit clean.

We even spoke with folks sitting out on their balconies enjoying their morning coffee, basking in the sun, visiting with us passersby.

Everybody was so friendly.

I 'll spare you the lush Mediterranean botanicals for another day. Wink, wink.

Small craft docking marked the halfway mark from where we started.

We knew timewise we would make it back in time...so there was time

for a nice cold drink before returning to the condo where our Uber would take us with our luggage to our new abode for the next week...

Here's to a half day well spent in paradise...

 Jivily : Cheers !

tUESDAY tUNES: I WISH

tuesday tunes: Marcus Canty do  Stevie Wonder's I wish ... Hope he is still bringing down the roof with his talent.

 Bobby Brown reincarnated...

I Wish

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE HILLS Of CROATIA...

MONDAY MUSINGS: The Wisconsinites and I had a day and a half to ourselves at the beginning and end of our visit to Croatia.   

This European journey began in the city of Dubrovnik, where we would embark on our yacht the second afternoon. So we had time to orient ourselves to this beautiful seaside city.

We rode the cable car up Mount Syd for the best city views. 

            Pretty magnificent, right? 

A bit blustery, but we warmed up with our first toast with a spectacular view and had my first of many lemon drinks- 

 a limoncello with a sprig of rosemary and berries ,,,

You realize Italy lies across that body of water, right?

Some young men were even playing hacky sack with apparently little concern for losing their hacky sack ball/ one of their group over the edge..

Dubrovnik started as a small settlement in the 7th century. Then in the 14th-19th century, it grew into the independent Republic of Ragusa, with its own government and laws, a maritime power, trading with the Mediterranean. 

A massive earthquake destroyed Ragusa but it was rebuilt in 1667. After being Yugoslavia, it became Croatia, suffering the damage from fighting for its independence in the early 90's. Evidence still remains of this destruction. 

Heading down to the old city, a myriad of roof tiles with interesting chimney covers and stonework- a lot of stonework...

Rocks are used everywhere on all the islands we would visit as walls, houses, streets, paths, floors...

The old city awaited us below and we would wander until our dinner reservations  sitting by the water. Of course, I ordered fish: sea bream and a local glass of wine.   

That's our restaurant with the curved roof on the right...

These two lovebirds at the restaurant welcomed us to Dubrovnik and told us to go for the walk to get a bird's eye view,,, It was definitely on the agenda for day 2. 

What a wonderful beginning to our adventure! 

Stay tuned ...                                                                                           

FOTO FRIDAY:RAIN,RAIN GO AWAY

FOTO FRIDAY: ENOUGH already. We were forewarned about 2 weeks of rain but we are saturated. 

Look what fell from the neighbor's yard!

18ft long 5" in diameter. 

All can be fixed and no one was hurt.

Last week's pic was STICKERED

MIDWEEK MUSINGS:MOMS KNOW BEST/MIND YOUR STEP

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: Our Moms imprint us with many lessons and one specific teaching keeps serving me well, and that's the importance of wearing good shoes. You know, shoes that provide good support and are appropriate for the occasion, especially walking on all types of terrain.

My computer reminded me that I had more than tripled my steps both in Costa Rica and Croatia. Hills galore and a lot of stairs especially in Croatia.

Our first condo in Dubrovnik had 192 steps out the back door when we wanted to go down to the old city... Can you imagine schlepping groceries up them?

I  finally decided to count them our last trek back up them. Even if I doubted my precision, I wouldn't be willing to recount them. It was safer to take them over the narrow winding road with pin curves, not really enough room for walkers. 

AND there were more stairs when one reached the old city...

Thank goodness I had brought two pairs of walking shoes, Merrills that could get wet, and the other was leather 'grandma' looking ones. They served me well in addition to some slippers for the long plane ride, Teva sandals for walking the beach, water ( sea urchins!) and around the pool/ hot tub. 

Accidents can happen regardless, and we had 2 amidst us that wiped out- one on sidewalk stairs and another on an uneven stone boardwalk. Luckily, no hospital visits required, and just bruised bodies and egos. 

Remember Mom knows best- Wear the best footwear for the journey wherever you are headed...

TBT: ASIAN WHITE HOUSE CHEFS

 TBT: Last week in spite of jetlag, I attended the Clinton Library's talk given by both Adrian Miller and via Zoom his co-author Deborah Chang re: their collaboration of writing Cooking to the Presidents Taste: Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History." 

Both authors met when they attended Stanford while working towards becoming  lawyers, not cookbook authors.

Years later at a dinner party the two crossed paths again and both left law to collaborate on this book.

Amiable and quick-witted Adrian found another passion in researching as a lawyer and it was Deborah who asked him to collaborate in writing about food, specifically food prepared by Asian Chefs in the White House. After all, he had been a judge in a Bar-B-Q cookoff! She had grown up in her parents' restaurant business. He handled the history and research while Deborah tested and developed all 60 recipes in the book. 

Through the years, many ethnic cooks have graced the White House kitchen, yacht, and Camp David cooking for our Presidents, especially Asian chefs. Chinese chefs like Ah Loy for Roosevelt, Harry Truman had a favorite Filipino chef, Lee Ping Quan, who cooked for Harding and Coolidge in addition to Shiro Tsurusaki. Filipinos like Ireno Esperancilla served Hoover through Eisenhower, and later Filipina Cristeta Comerford ran the White House kitchen from 2005- 2024 for 5 presidents. Right now, the executive chef is Thai American, Tony Kurpradit.

 The night's attendees were treated to a yummy chocolate chip cookie in addition to recipes both in this book and others by Adrian  Miller. 

I am so glad Miller and Chang collaborated, and I was privy to hear about their work!