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I awoke in Herceg Novi to grey skys. Slobodan dropped me at the bus station whilst informing me that Boka Kotor (bay of kotor) had the most rainfall in Europe and 280 days of fog a year.
By the time I got to Kotor the weather was brooding. Clouds clang to the top of the impressive Orjen Massif mountains, the sky darkened and in the distance were the rumblings of thunder.
I found the very well hidden Montenegro Hostel just in time to see the landlady throw out a guest who had out stayed their welcome. I wouldn't mess with her.
She informed me that my reservation was for yesterday but she had a private room for 30 euros with a twin bed an someone would come who hadn't booked and we could split the cost. The next day I would move to a dorm for 13 euros. This seemed a fair deal so I snapped it up, dumped my bag and headed off to explore.
As soon as I stepped out, the thunder storm started and I sought refuge in a cafe and had lunch.
Kotor is a town of engineering brilliance. The city walls loop for 3 miles up into the mountain and climb 300 metres in height. The sheer scale of this and the incline of the hill have to be seen to be believed.
As the rain dwindled, I began to climb starting out in waterproofs. However 5 minutes in, the clouds disappeared and the sun came out drying everything in 30 degree heat.
Everything except me that is. I had to strip off within minutes and although considering myself in good shape, sweated all the way to the top. I was pleased with the pace I maintained until I was passed by 3 Russian girls making the climb over the rocks and cobbles in bikinis and stilletoes! Obviously my training will now have to take place in high heels to improve my fitness.
When I arrived back at the hostel I was met by the landlady who introduced me to (in her words) "my wife for the night". My wife was to be Turon a languid Australian who, in all his Aussie blokishness, hated being called my wife. He had travelled up from Corfu through Albania to get here.
I showed him the apartment and then we headed back to the common room in the hostel to be met with the phrase "Husband and Wife, do you want some children for the night too?"
Caroline and Josh had arrived without accommodation but the enterprising landlady was going to sell them floor space in our apartment.
As I was now on a family holiday, I went with the wife and kids to dinner to share travelling stories. Only a few are repeatable and though harmless mischief making, none publishable for the sake of those involved.
Dinner and stories turned into a bar and stories, bar turned into a club and the club turned into a 5am finish.
Caroline and Turon had to make whitewater rafting at 7.30am and duly stumbled on for a three hour winding mountain drive.
I took the long lie and beach option.
Today I must decide where to go tomorrow. It doesn't look like a stay in Albania will be possible as there are buses there but no buses back. It's been suggested that I hire a car but with the stories of road safety I'll give that a miss. I may take a day tour there from Budva or miss it out and sit in a boat on Lake Skadar.
Tough decisions!
- comments
Claire Sounds like fun so far ;) xx
C. Donald I want to know the stories!