Croatia - Bibinje

Here is video for everyone, who is in love in Croatia,...

Singer is Tomislav Bralic & Klapa Intrade.

One of my favorite,....

Tomislav Bralic is coming from Bibinje, small place close to Zadar, the same place where my mother is from.

Located on Adriatic coast, in province of Dalmatia.

Song is about beauty of Croatia.

And if you are visiting Croatia, definitely you should put on your list Bibinje & Zadar.

 Also the other amazing singer is Ivica Ico Sikiric, also from Bibinje, and proudly I can say, I am glad because he will singing at our wedding in Split.

Ico should organized concert in Canada!!! An amazing singer,..

Bibinje promenade 

 

 

VICTORIA, BC

After picking olives in the high temperatures of the Dalmatian sunshine it's taking some adjustment to embrace autumn in Canada....

It's much colder but also exceptionally beautiful! 

Last week we spent a few days in BC's capital town of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

We were lucky that the rain held out and we could explore the town, even snap a few photos of the incredible colours and sights of a fall on the West Coast.

Like any island life in Victoria is a bit of a slower pace than in Vancouver.  The people are more relaxed and friendly....maybe because they don't have as much stress or maybe because of the coastal nature and Pacific Ocean hugging the city's corners.

Victoria is a beautiful and historic town with plenty of small restaurants, diverse and exceptional quality food options and great service!  Not to mention the staff are are super nice and friendly! You may have heard us say (or seen us write!) before we are definitely water babies.  We live for summer and all water activities.  

However, we definitely recommend a trip to Victoria, especially during the summer, although there is a certain magic in the air when autumn is in full swing....

White Spot - One of the oldest and most popular restaurants in Canada

Victoria, BC

Parliament Buildings - Victoria, BC

Inner Harbour, Victoria BC

   xo

PICKING OLIVES IN DALMATIA

The day started with a beautiful sunny morning...we woke up extra early to get ready for everything we would need for a full day of picking olives.

Croatia - especially Dalmatia -  for those of you who don't know yet, is famous for its rich gastronomy and food traditions.

A key ingredient - homemade olive oil, often picked from locally owned trees.  Every year Dalmatians pick their olives and make a fresh batch of olive oil, from trees that are organically and sustainably maintained throughout the year. 

 

Locals invite their friends and spend the late fall going from one's crop to anothers' all together until all the olive trees are picked bare! They are chatting, smiling, enjoying the still warm & sunny days.  This is a tradition, a crop cycle that's awaited with excitement and anticipation, a chance to get everyone together while completing a rewarding and fun task! Why? Because at the end you've got an organic, high quality, freshly pressed and locally processed all natural olive oil!

There's a reason olive trees are called...the trees of peace!   

Lately this tradition, previously considered a chore, has become more and more popular for the younger generations.  Young people wanting to keep traditions from the old days, and pass it on for generations to come....

Already a popular tourist volunteer program in Turkey - we invite anyone who's interested in spending some time on the Adriatic coastal towns, and becoming a part of this tradition, learning the history and pleasure of this harvest, wanting to make new friendships and experience a new culture first hand to get in touch with us and join in next year!

A few visuals from the beginning of this year's olive picking festival a few weekends ago...

Olives looking on the sunshine Adriatic sea

Someone works while some sleep

Olives are ready to become high quality olive oil

xo