Thunder, lightning and torrential rains
Thunder, lightning and torrential rains
Quote of the week
Thunder and lightning, it’s like the end of the world.
Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Hello,
So sorry for this late newsletter. We have been travelling through Montenegro and are now in Albania. Outside the EU and more difficult with internet connections. Anyway, we had some nice relaxing days at Weissensee with swimming, reading and relaxing. We managed to find two good restaurants; Die Forelle, a gourmet restaurang with a 15 course meal (small portions, but still). I could not eat it all, but at least tried everything. Very tasty and excellent food. On the Sunday we went to a sort of Diner. A silver caravan was the kitchen, and they offered a lot of different grilled varieties. We had spare ribs, one from beef and one from pork. Sitting outside in the beautiful garden it was a really enjoyable meal as well.
Thor and Zeus competing?
Every night since our last night at Weissensee, and all through Montenegro we had thunder, lightning och rainstorms. I can’t remember having ever been out in a weather like this. I am thinking, there might have been a competition between Thor and Zeus for making out who is the strongest. At least that is what you can imagine when you lying there with the bedlinen over your head. Zeus, the King of Gods, in Greek mythology is regarded as the sender of thunder, lightning, rain, and winds. His weapon is the thunderbolt. Thor is the God of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology. His weapon is his hammer. When you experience the power of nature at close range, it is easy to believe in the old myths.
Montenegro
We had high expectations of Montenegro. We left Austria on Monday morning, August 28, drove all day and arrived at Dubrovnik around 7.30 pm. We went to Camping Kate where we stayed last time, and was met by a sign that it was full. The people there are very nice, our car is rather small so they did manage to find a spot for us. On the opposite side of the street we were recommended a restaurang. Finally, after two years, I could have another cevapcici. It was very good.
The next morning we headed towards Montenegro. The border is just about 25 minutes away. Martin had looked up a few places worth visiting, and we expected to stay in the country about 5-6 days. It turned out to be only three. There are three remaining memories of Montenegro.
Traffic congestion
Overcrowded
No toilet paper in the toilettes
We thought that by the last week of August the peak season would be over. It turned out to be a mistake. The roads were overloaded with cars. We spent almost all of the first day in the car. Arriving at Herceg Novi, where it was not possible to find a parking. Overcrowded with people as well. We arrived at Perast, as small hamlet along the shore. It was destroyed by an earthquake some years ago, but rebuilt. We managed to find a parking there, and went for a walk through the city, and had lunch.
We continued to Kotor, the same thing there. Traffic congestion all the way, and when we finally arrived there was no parking to be found and the streets were overcrowded with people. We continued to our camping which was situated around the bay. Small roads, not made for cars, and almost impossible to meet another car. Every time you meet someone you have to stop and try to find a way to pass each other.
We had an idea to go back the next day but gave it up, when a Swiss biker we met at the camping said that it was impossible to walk along the small alleys, since they were so crowded with tourists and guided groups. We continued to Budva, same thing there, in Bar we stopped at the marina and walked along the seaside. There we found the Bar Royal Palace which is a former royal summer residence. Constructed in 1885 by king Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš as a gift for his daughter Princess Zorka. The palace is now a museum, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Afterwards we took a cold lemonade and an ice cream and continued towards Ulcinj. It would have been a nice city to walk around in, but the heat, the crowd and the difficulties in finding a parking spot, made us turn around.
We ended up at Saranda Beach for two nights. Nice camping close to the beach. This is a popular beach so full of sun chairs and people. I am personally not a fan of beaches like this, but there was a restaurang where we had a nice meal. We also managed to take a walk on the beach and had two days of rest after all the driving.
Some positive vibes
Don’t I have anything positive to say about Montenegro? I do. It has a beautiful coastline, and the water is clear. People are very nice and you eat very well. We had good meals everywhere. The only recommendation I can give, if you are planning to visit Montenegro; don’t go during peak season when people have a holiday here.
Dinner in the rain.
On Friday, September 1, we headed towards Albania, eager to see what it has to offer.