Montenegro - one of the tourist spots on the Adriatic Sea. Not the actual high season yet, but still lots of people everywhere. Beaches are packed, even early evening. But our understanding of 'beaches' is quite different to anything we will see on this tour. No sand, just pebbles. Water is lovely - clear and only slightly cool. But you definitely need a sun lounge to enjoy sunbathing here. And the 'beach' areas are packed - row after row of sun lounges
Another border crossing, and interestingly we were not stamped either in or out of Albania, which is not in the EU. But now on to Budva, Montenegro, a coastal city, surrounded by mountains. Very picturesque. There are some lovely places along the coast, obviously used by the rich and famous.
Like this place which apparently will cost 4 digit figure per night. Nope, we are not staying here!
Two nights in the one place is always a good thing. Time to unpack a little, and get some washing dry. We can get washing done in many of the hotels along the way, but when it is priced per item, it soon becomes very expensive, even for a small bundle. So we generally do some hand washing.
The usual orientation walk included the 'beachfront' with numerous bars and restaurants all along thr waterfront, as well as the old walled town, which is apparently a replica because the original was destroyed by an earthquake some years ago. The old town is quaint, but the wall around the city is inhabited by cats and is less than pleasant.
Next day we took a short bus ride to Kotor. Beautiful bay surrounded by high mountains and a walled old town, Stari Grad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We wandered the labyrinth of cobbled streets after climbing the stairs to the ruins of the fortress above the old town. 1350 steps up. Bit of a climb, but legs feel ok, even the day after, so guessing all that training in Spain has been worth it.
The scenery from that height was spectacular. We watched several large passenger boats come into the bay.... and saw plenty of large groups of tourists in the old town later!! Boat tourists stand out as being different from adventure style bus travellers like us - better class of clothes, shoes, hats and handbags. Obviously a bigger wardrobe to choose from! So pleased we got there earlier.
The fortress walls are really extensive. We only saw a small part of it all. Quite incredible.
Enjoyed a couple of beers after the walk down. Well deserved by all. In Spain we noticed lots of people drinking beer with solo, but here we have found bottled beer - with lemon, or grapefruit. Tasty and refreshing.
Gotta love wifi here... Even on the beach! Australia - get with it!
And another Pilgrimage ..... Not quite as we were able to take the bus all the way up, thanks to one frail, elderly looking passenger. Before leaving Montenegro we visited the Monastery of Ostrog - a monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church, situated on an almost vertical rock wall in the side of the mountains. It's a very sacred place, where pilgrims walk barefoot up the mountain to the church.
The narrow road zig-zagged up the mountain. We often had to reverse back to let another vehicle pass. Steep drop off the side.... I sat on the aisle side of the bus.
But the place was indeed special. We went into one rock cave church, which held the body of Saint Basil of Ostrog. But the other cave church, higher up on the wall had more frescos painted on the cave roof, but also darkened by smoke from candles. No photos in these places, and of course respectfully dressed.
Spectacular drive through the mountains..... Stunning mountain views, as well as views of the Piva River, the Piva Canyon, alson the Tara River and Tara Canyon. Not sure where one stops and the other starts. The road winds around the mountains side along the river and canyon for many miles. Absolutely beautiful scenery. We stopped, and slowed a number of times for vista snaps.
Through several tunnels ..... Just rock!
A large dam.... That looked like this on one side....
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