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As planned we packed our bags and had breakfast which was accompanied by a pigeon flying into the window.
We were given our packed lunch and headed for the mini bus to Komani Lake for the boat tour. We didn't have to check out as we were unsure if we could make it back in time for the next bus.
There was only 4 of us heading out. It took about 2hours to get to the lake. It was only about 10k away, but the broken road roller-coasted around another artificial lake. A 480m tunnel was carved out of the mountain next to the VauDejes dam. We appeared the other side to a small peninsula which had the tour operator and a couple of old boats.
As we went to pay we realised we didn't have enough money and being this remote in the mountains no ATM. Luckily the tour girl was really nice and agreed we could pay half now and half after we get back. She gave us a quick run down of the lake before supplying us with water from the local spring (I must admit I did question how safe it was to drink) and a huge apple. With our lunch as well we were stocked up for the day.
We headed to the boat which was narrow and made of steal. A woven sheet acted as a roof and two double seated wicker chairs where fixed behind the other for the 4 of us.
The cruise took us up the Komani lake. It was really picturesque like a mini version of the Fjords in New Zealand. For about an hour and half we passed through interconnected lakes with mountains reaching 1,500m either side of us. The water was really blue. On the banks small huts were dotted around where the peasants lived,
We stopped off at the River of shala ........ On the opposite side of the bank a wedding photo shoot was taking place. Bizarrely we have seen so many of these. We relaxed here for lunch, taking in the views and skimming stones.
On the way back we stopped off at a random house on the side of the lake. Where a young girl presented us with some pancakes she had just made. They were yummy. We ate them on the way back while taking in the views.
The tour lady seemed really pleased that we took the time to visit. She was impressive speaking 4 different languages fluently.
The Minibus dropped us off at the cash machine before we ventured back to the hostel to pay the other half we owed.
Luckily we were back by 3pm which gave us an hour to catch the 4pm bus into Ulcinj, Montenegro. The border crossing was so easy. Although no stamps in the passport from here on out.
Within 2 hours we had arrived in Ulcinj, even better at the bus station our next bus up to Herceg Novi was leaving in an hour. However when we went to pay we only had Albanian leke and they wouldn't accept Visa. After some negotiation I left Stevie with the bags while I did the 10minute walk into town for an ATM. We watched the first half of the Argentina game and then headed off again...
We followed the coast of Montenegro stopping at the small towns, gaining more passengers. With the beautiful sun set over the Mediterranean the coast silhouetted against the falling brilliant orange sky into the turquoise sea. Night fell and we chassed the red and white lights of traffic into Herceg Novi. Backpacking around the Med is definitely a must!!
As soon as we got to Herceg Novi we went into a tour office. which looked like they were about to close. Being middnight there were no buses, but they said they could take us across the border into Croatia in a taxi for 45euros. It was a done deal as the bus ticket was 15 and there was 2 of us.
Within about an hour we had crossed over from Montanegro into Croatia. We arried in Old Town Dubrovnich. This place was busy and beautiful. Even at 1am. I said to Steve this should be the set of a movie and later found out this is where they film Game of Thrones. (I was well happy). Like most of our trip we didn't book accommodation ahead so thought we could walk around and find a place. We were so wrong. This place was a labrynth of stoned narrow streets. None of the hostels were marked or were closed. Which makes sense as it was now 1.30am. After doing several circles and backtracking for half an hour we gave up and asked a drunk local where we could find accommodation. He said he knew a place. Literally a few metres away. This guy woke up the owner who had a spare room for us.... Result. Shattered we went straight to bed.
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