June 3
An early start for our day in Montenegro.
As we headed out of town we were treated to the most magnificent views of
Dubrovnik from high up on the road.
Everyone on the bus was getting so excited
about the photo opportunities, trying to catch the clear view between the
trees, that our coach driver made an impromptu pull over so everyone could get
a photo.
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| Looking back at Dubrovnik |
We continued across the border into
Montenegro without any problems and soon stopped to pick up our local guide,
Vuk. Within minutes he had us in stitches. He has a very relaxed personality
and obviously a very good grasp of English to be able to make so many jokes.
We travelled along the edge of the most
southern fjord in Europe towards Kotor. Beautiful scenery.
Kotor is a very small but interesting old
town. Our guide was from the town and was justifiably very proud of it.
Unfortunately there was a large cruise ship docked in the fjord at the town as
well as many other tourists. This caused huge traffic problems and we were late
for our next leg of the day.
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| This clock had an interesting history which Vuk related, but I have since forgotten |
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| A recommended local dessert |
We finally got underway but the weather was
closing in. Some of us were lucky enough to get snaps on the way up the switch
back road which was good because by the time we reached the 'view' we were
shrouded in cloud. However, the experience of our coach driver was marveled at
negotiating the 27 hairpin bends and single lane road. We had to back up
several times to let others pass from the opposite direction.
All I can say is, Galston Gorge, the Road
to Hana, Amalfi Coast have nothing on this road. All in a day's work for our
driver.
Sadly the view from the top was not
visible, the perils of mountain weather. Our very entertaining guide bought a
large postcard at the panorama stop to show us what it should look like.
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| The view from the top which we couldn't see |
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Following the road over the mountain we
passed through the small village of Njegusi set in an area which looked somewhat like a
crater. A settlement established since the time of the Ottoman invasions.
Down the other side of
the mountain, we stopped at Cetinje, once the seat of the Montenegro rulers. We
visited a lovely museum which was previously the palace of Nicholas I. A much
respected ruler in the last century.
Finally, very late, we arrived in Budva,
which also has an interesting walled old city.
We arrived back in Dubrovnik very late at
night, but it had been a very enjoyable day.
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| Our Lady of the Rocks Island |
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| Our guide Vuk explaining the superb defences entering the fjord |
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| Islands in the fjord accessible from Perast |
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A wall travels up the mountain behind the old town, circling the castle at the top
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Heading up the mountain. Clouds hugging the peaks
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| This is the road we have already travelled |
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| Hairpins are not the only hazard on this isolated road |
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| How tight the hairpins are |
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Each hairpin is numbered. There were 27 in all on this top section
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| Occasional glimpses of the fjord below through the clouds |
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| More of the road we have travelled |
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| Looking down on Boudva |
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| We had excellent ice cream from a recommended shop just along this lane |
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| Dinner with others in the group |
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The ceiling of the restaurant was decorated with lots of paintings
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Children were having a great time playing on this anchor outside the Budva old city walls
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| A reminder of past history - a Venetian lion is set in the city walls |
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| Our ferry ride across the fjord |
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Marko, our driver looking relaxed despite a long, strenuous day
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| Sun setting and still a long way home |
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