What to do when it rains on vacation?

I had the pleasure of visiting the coastal community of Hopkins for a few days recently and took the opportunity to visit nearby-ish Placencia as well. Well known for its gorgeous ocean vistas and fantastic restaurants, Placencia was a day trip I very much looked forward to. After sunny days in Hopkins, it looked like I might luck into perfect weather for a day further south, but Mother Nature had none of it. It misted and drizzled the entire day, refusing to be sunny but also refusing to rain. Tourists wandered dejectedly, asking one another about the weather forecast as though somebody had secret good news about a break in the clouds. I knew the restaurants would fill up quickly with so many guests postponing their activities, so I decided on an early lunch, choosing a table with an amazing view at the Maya Beach Hotel and Bistro for a cocktail and some photography. The air was cool and damp. I ordered a Hendrick’s Gin martini, up, a little bit dirty, with olives. As the haze deepened over the water, I heard ice in a shaker from behind the bar. The barman was playing my song, as they say, and I knew it would be a rewarding afternoon regardless of inclement weather.

The mist and haze blended the sky and sea,

creating a wash of emptiness broken only by the faintest hint of a horizon. It was only lunchtime, but given the weather, tourists filled in the remaining seats and quickly overwhelmed the staff. I put in an order for shrimp tacos. “The kitchen is backed up,” said the server, rushing to and fro as more guests arrived. I opted for a second martini as I waited. A while later my tacos arrived, looking somewhat worse for wear after the inevitable kitchen delays. After the gin, they were tasty and filling regardless. It was a gorgeous few hours of black-and-white scenes like something out of an old film. I was not disappointed in the least. And now I know what to do when it rains on vacation.

How to make an excellent martini on your next rainy vacation day:

• 2.5 oz  Gin or Vodka
• .25 oz Dry Vermouth
• .25 oz Olive Brine
• Shake or stir with ice until bracingly cold
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
• Garnish with olives