Montenegro in the rain

We were up a little earlier today as we were joining a full day outing organised by our VT host Val. After breakfast we gathered by Kotor's Sea Gate and walked the short distance to where our coach was parked, led by our guide Danilo. I found a seat right near the front next to a member from Oregon, Julie, whom I'd not met prior to this meet, so it was nice getting to know her on the drives.

As we climbed up above the coastline near Budva towards a promised panoramic viewpoint the clouds descended, or rather, we drove up into them. By the time we got there it was thick fog, but we were all keen to get off the bus to take photos of this non-existent view!

Our coach and VTers in the fog

Cetinje

We continued to Cetinje, the country's former capital and royal seat. Danilo told us something of its history and of the princes and kings who'd lived in the Palace we were to visit. As he talked we experienced heavy downpours alternating with drizzly spells and occasional very brief dry ones!

There was time while he sorted our tickets and allocated entrance slot for us to take a quick look at the nearby monastery. But to get there meant walking on a very wet path - my shoes and trousers got soaked and the former didn't dry out all day!

We had a dedicated guide for our visit to the Palace. No photos were allowed inside unfortunately, although some in our group managed to bend the rules! Much of the history was lost on me but I liked many of the furnishings and objects on display.

Njeguši-Lovćen NP

Back outside there was time for a coffee before leaving. We drove to a nearby restaurant where we had a very good lunch and from there to mountainous Njeguši-Lovćen NP. The landscape was beautiful, at least what we could see through the low cloud and rain.

At the top there was an option to climb 461 steps to the mausoleum of Petar Petrović Njegoš, known as the father of Montenegro. I opted out, given that views would be poor and the mausoleum of limited interest. About half the group did the same and we all retired to the restaurant where I got a good hot chocolate.

Spotting that the sky was clearing just a little I popped outside for a few more photos before we walked back down to where our bus was parked.

The drive back to Kotor was along a road with 25 tight hairpin bends. These caused lots of problems for our driver as oncoming cars failed to leave enough space or were slow to back up to let us pass. It gave us all a lot of entertainment, but I wouldn't have wanted to be driving that road myself! However our driver was excellent and clearly used to this road.

We stopped a couple of times for views of the bay below and got back into town rather later than planned, a bit after seven. We just had time to pop back to the hotel to change before dinner which took place in a restaurant just outside the old walls, Bastion. I enjoyed my meal (stuffed pepper) much more than last night’s. After the food there were speeches to wish one member a happy birthday, thank Valentina, and announce that next year's meeting would be in Malta (something many of us already knew or suspected).

We walked back to the hotel through Kotor's lovely old streets, with music pouring out of some bars as it was Saturday.

Talking of music, there was a concert by a Croatian band on a stage in the main square right by our hotel, so no chance of an early night. But I was happy to listen from my room while sorting the day’s photos and writing up these notes. However, when it continued until after one AM I was rather less happy, especially as I could easily hear it through the (usually good) ear-plugs I’d been congratulating myself on remembering to pack!