Montenegro

After yesterday's adventures climbing a thousand stairs and dodging cruise ships in our kayak we decided on a bus tour to Montenegro.

It was really interesting. Montenegro declared their independence from Serbia just last year. Before the war in the 90s it had a lot of manufacturing, but because of an embargo the factories shut down and haven't reopened. There is 45% unemployment and the average monthly salary is only 200 Euro. Some areas were pretty run down.

We went to the Bay of Kotor-a beautiful area, then toured the walled medieval town of Kotor. We had an hour there to walk around- we found a path leading up to the fortress at the top of the hill and decided to try to make it up. It was a narrow path, half rudimentary stone steps and along side a rock and stone pathway. It was steep up the side of the hill and we were going as fast as we could--Kim in sandals. We made it to what we thought was the top in 15-20 minutes only to find it was just a church and we were only half way up. We didn't have time so we walked back down and arrived at the bus hot and sweaty and in serious need of a Montenegran masseuse. Our bus-mates were relaxed with their bags of souvenirs and foam mustaches from their cappuccinos!

We then went up the mountain in a series of incredibly steep tight switchbacks on a road built in the 1800-s (really not designed for a bus). It was a pretty hairy ride but the views were spectacular. At the top we stopped in an old village and had lunch of homemade bread and locally produced ham and cheese and wine. After we drove down another impressive set of switchbacks to the old capital and toured the palace of the first, and only, king of Montenegro.

We finished up in a beach resort, Budva. It is being developed with money primarily from rich Russians and Serbs-beautiful coastline but the town felt kind of tacky and sleazy.

We are now back in Dubrovnik. This town feels so nice and the people are so nice and welcoming. We are leaving tomorrow on the ferry to the island of Korcula-really looking forward to exploring more of the Dalmation coast.

Hope you are all doing well.