A delayed bus journey to the Montenegrin capital in the international non-sleeper bus connecting many chunks of former Yugoslavia, didn't really help the case of a solo-traveler with a searing forehead. Though sickness is a most unwelcome experience during travels-laughter, the best cure known to mankind, always finds its way in the care of fellow travellers. Maine, from Urugway served me a generous dose. Handing out more tissues to stop my running nose and inviting me to join in uncontrolled chuckles while contemplating the circumstances of our rude bus driver forged a bond to be cherished for a lifetime.
But soon, the jibber-jabber was silenced by the staggering views of the Adriatic until the bus rolled to a stop in Kotor, 2 hours later. It was time to part and a friendly hug was all I could give the girl, who dragged out my enthu-cutlet self that had somehow got blanketed in sickness for a while-Just what the convalescent self needed to hike a coastal trail. And lo, the occasional "Achoo" was blessed by breathtaking views that even made it subside altogether, overnight.
The explorer woke up all geared up for a day out with a tour group, spearheaded by the eagerness of old Annie! A mother of 5, a grandma to 30 and the great grandmother of 4-she was one wise old woman. It wasn't long before her infectious mirth spread around the little van of 5 ladies being driven into the mountains of North Montenegro by the native tour guide, Luca. Not once during the 12 hr long journey did old Annie doze, because those sparkling eyes were busy taking in every bit rapturously from behind the window. The excited woman stepped out at every pit stop-taking Luca's hand to walk, slowly but surely! An expert, also at connecting to hotspots to beam her smiles directly at a faraway son, old Annie asked this "Angel" to click her photograph above the Boka Bay. Thereafter, our conversation flowed like the gushing Tara river. The excitement at recalling her time with the lovely people of Rajasthan and the time spent swimming during her travels reflected her stronghold on the subject, as a professional teacher of the 'Art of Life' before her retirement. It was my first cheerful goodbye in life, when this young-at-heart-forever lady took leave and everyone in the van exclaimed-"I want to be like her, when I grow old!"
The long day out called for a dinner of cow cheese and fritters, when, upon placing my order for a vegetarian dish and no drinks fetched me the warning of never having any hopes of finding a Montenegrin husband. *Random advice=Ignored* :D, 'cuz following the sumptuous meal was the most peaceful night stroll ever! The alleys of timeless beauty that wind their way through the old town of Kotor, have no screeching traffic to bear. Even the residents park their vehicles outside the walls-By the bus stand, taxi ranks, pharmacy and mall. My run-of-the-mill life in metropolitan cities will forever make me crave the short-lived experience of this contemporary self-sufficient way of living in a town that can make the clock tic backwards. Alas, it was ---END OF TRIP---! :(
DIY ITINERARY
DAY 1
a. Hit the under-rated beaches of Budva!
b. Sveti Stefan
-Get the bus or hike for a glorious sunset view of this island of the elite.
c. Explore Kotor at night and meet the best street musicians! Don't miss the HEART OF KOTOR formed by the lit-up town walls and it's reflection on the Boka Bay.
DAY 2
a. Join a group tour to North Montenegro. This covers:
-Anonymous viewpoint above the Boka Bay
-Tara canyon
Visit the world's 2nd deepest canyon and go zip-lining across, if you must!
-Durmitor National Park and Black Lake
Perhaps the most dramatic National Park to visit in Europe. Not just for the natural beauty, but for the myths surrounding it!
-Ostrog Monastery
A wonder, not just in the sense of its construction in the niche of a cave. Must it be the divine energy that lures the people of three different religions living in the 6 former Yugoslavian states to pray under one roof, hard to say?!
DAY 3
a. Hike up to the St. John's fortress
b. Explore Kotor by day and crash a street wedding, may be?
c. Visit Perast's Churches and take a boat to the two spectacular islands in its vicinity-Our Lady of The Rocks (man-made) and St. Georges. Mini buses or taxis outside the walls of Kotor are both cheap transport options.
DAY 4
a. Make the long journey to Virpazar for a glimpse of Lake Skadar, easier visited from Albania, where it belongs!
