The Skinny Snake Road to Kotor Montenegro
Exploramum and Explorason – Snaking down the mountains. GPS view
We have made our way down from Serbia, and it has been hard to work out which road to take.
We were told to see the National Park and the Tara River.
Exploramum and Explorason – Bungy Jumping over the Tara River
As we stop on the bridge of the Tara River, there are Bungy Jumpers and Zip-liners. I hang onto Explorason as he leans over the bridge to watch a woman jump. Something I have no desire ever to do!
Exploramum and Explorason – Zip-liners and Bungy Jumpers over the Tara River, Montenegro
We then find ourselves trying to get a shortcut through the hills to Kotor after we pass through Niksic.
It is getting late so we just drive past the ruins there. It looks pretty good on the map, and the GPS is proving not to have detailed maps of all roads, so we set off asking locals directions.
Never in my life have I been on a more remote road. We think we are at a town and we count down the kilometers and it turns out to be another deserted junction. The day is getting late and we are on this deserted road twisting and turning and beeping our horn at the corners in case the odd vehicle appears. At one stage a number of hooks drive past us at an incredible speed. So fast and so loud that the surprise scares Explorason and he is in tears.
We drive through Lovcen National Park.
We both did NOT enjoy this part of the trip. It is a stressful and dangerous drive.
We finally spy a little town Bajice – Njegusi and it has an Eco Lodge. So we get a room here for the night as it is getting dark.
Exploramum and Explorason – Eco Lodge Huts for the night
They are pretty basic and a bit run down, but they are really authentic and nice to stay in with a warm heater for the night.
Exploramum and Explorason – The inside of the Eco-Lodge is warm and cozy
They say they have wi-fi, but it is so weak we can just pick up emails but not send any messages or get Facebook (to tell our friends we are running law we plan to meet them in Albania). Then it goes off completely.
But we have a fantastic dinner. Healthy vegetables.
Exploramum and Explorason – Authentic Mountain Lodge for dinner
Next day we have to endure part of the windy road again as we go to Cetinje – the Royal Palace old Capital. We start to see Camper-vans and RV’s pass us on this narrow road. They are heading back up, and I can’t believe I will have to return on this same road for the 3rd time to get to Kotor.
Exploramum and Explorason – Cetinje Monastery
We head back and we pass over 40 coaches on the road. Some just keep driving as I madly try to reverse into a tiny spot. There are two cruise ships in the port, so I guess all the tourists are making a day trip. It is crazy and horrible driving.
Exploramum and Explorason – looking over Kotor – time for a yogurt break
By the time I get us to Kotor, it is after lunch and I am a bit of a wreck.
But Kotor is a beautiful and somewhat touristy place to visit.
At least we do not have to climb up to see the view as we have been looking at it for hours. Many climb the steps of the walled city.
Exploramum and Explorason – Kotor ruins and wall
So we find a car park and head in for about 2 hours. Prices are about double of what we had in the country towns, especially with the souvenirs. We give them all a big miss.
Exploramum and Explorason – the city wall of Kotor
Kotor old town is well worth looking through. The entrance is a pretty clock tower, and the alleyways are jammed packed with tourist stores.
Exploramum and Explorason – the Clock Tower at Kotor Old City entrance
We decide to go up to this church and look inside. We are glad we did. We see a lot of beautiful old religious items, and the view is lovely too.
Exploramum and Explorason – we climb the Kotor church for a view
As we walk to the area where the steps are to go up the wall, we meet some lovely Australian couples, and we talk to them for about half an hour. It is nice to talk about “home”.
Exploramum and Explorason – inside the city as you walk up the wall of Kotor
We then head out of Kotor. We want to keep moving, in the hope of catching up with our friends. We have been trying to get internet at a few places in Kotor on the phone, but that seems not to be successful either. So we can’t message them.
So we head out of town. This time we get a tunnel and not a windy road.
We end up along the coast and stop to see if we can find San Stefani.
Exploramum and Explorason – stopping to try to find San Stefani, Montenegro coastline
We try to walk to see it, but we end up taking too long, and we are trying to get to Albania or as close to the border as we can.
Exploramum and Explorason – we find a great place to stop for a view of the private island of San Stefani
So we drive off again.
It ends up taking a lot longer than we anticipate.
Exploramum and Explorason – we meet an Albanian artist as we stop to admire the coastline view
We decided to try and find a place to stop for the night, and then head on to Albania.
You should see where we end up. It is a hidden paradise.
You’ll have to read our next blog to see where it is!
Questions and Comments
- What fascinates you about Montenegro?
- Are you a family that travels permanently?
- How is the experience?
- What is your take on families that travel permanently?
- Do share your experiences and comments with us below.
