On Tuesday, April 3, we sailed into a 17-mile inlet of the Adriatic Sea called Europe's southernmost fjord.
These towering cliffs are above Kotor, Montenegro, where we next docked.
Nestled between a limestone wall and a glimmering bay,
Kotor is home to one of the Adriatic's best preserved medieval Old Towns.
We took an optional tour that took us on the road between Kotor and Centinje.
We ascended the slopes of Lovcen Mountain, one hairpin turn after another (25 in all).
Good thing we had packed Bonine!
What gorgeous views were at the top!
The waters of the Adriatic and Kotor Bay sparkle below.
This view shows where we had come from, Kotor,
and where we were heading, Centinje, Montenegro's former capital.
Okay, I must explain the matching shirts!
While our family was together during Christmas vacation,
our daughters determined that they would have a contest
determining what couple could lose the most weight before our upcoming cruise.
The losers would have to wear for one full day on the cruise whatever item of clothing the winners chose.
There was a subtle threat of Speedos, so everyone took it very seriously.
In a last minute starvation move, Tom and Stacy were the winners and Missy and Jedd, the losers.
Stacy secretly obtained a 6th grade pic of Jeff in full costume with tights as Lucensio,
from Taming of the Shrew, and had it printed on t-shirts.
from Taming of the Shrew, and had it printed on t-shirts.
Today was the unveiling day.
(We were all relieved it wasn't Speedos!)
Approaching Njegusi, a mountain village where we stopped and sampled homemade bread,
local Prosciutto (they pronounced it pro-shoot)
We all agreed, it was the best we ever tasted. We also had local cheese.
local Prosciutto (they pronounced it pro-shoot)
We all agreed, it was the best we ever tasted. We also had local cheese.
This village is famous for their Prosciutto.
Mindy made friends with this cute little doggie.
We could hardly pull her away, and the puppy followed us to the bus.
We next arrived at Centinje, where our guide took us through King Nikola's Museum and we learned about the history and the politics of Montenegro.
Either the Centinje Monastery or the Montenegrin Orthodox Church?
We drove through the summer resort of Budva, then back to Kotor.
Group pic in the main square of Kotor
We boarded our ship for lunch, then headed back out to shop and sight-see.
What a charming medieval Old Town!
The shopping was so fun and I found a great Chanel knock-off in this shop
with this Montenegrin charmer!
It was the dimples that got me!
Romanesque Cathedral of St. Tryphon, built in the 12th century
Town Clock Tower
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
Up this mountain cliff behind the city is the medieval City Wall, built in 1420.
Of course, our kids had to climb to the top!
They took wonderful pics as they climbed and on top.
Our ship, the Viking Star, below
Night shot, before we sailed away to Dubrovnik
Next day, we added a third new country on this cruise to our life list, Croatia.
After WW2, the federation of Yugoslavia was set up, which included parts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
On this map, I'm not sure why Greece is also partly circled, but it gives a good idea of where those now independent countries lie, in relation to each other.
George Bernard Shaw once called Dubrovnik, paradise on earth, with its towering 12th-century medieval wall and charming structures and streets.
Our bus first drove us to a look-out point so we could take photos of this charming city.
Quaint harbor
Entrance into Old Town, Pile Gate
Our lovely guide took us on a walking tour through Old Town.
The world's oldest working pharmacy
Church of St. Blaise
15th Century Orofrio's Fountain
Dominican Monastery
Missy took so many picturesque shots of this charming Old Town.
We bargained with this cute man who spoke no English for a little local lavender doll.
We had no local money, just euros.
He handed me a free sachet after we took this pic.
We tried to sample local pastry wherever we went.
Of course we were starving - it had been almost two hours since we had eaten!
Back at the ship for lunch on the Aquavit Terrace.
Jeff catching up on his beauty sleep
Next port is Zadar, Croatia . . .
I LOVED Montenegro and Dubrovnik! They are both so unique and absolutely beautiful. I think my very favorite stop on the entire cruise was Montenegro...I just loved that country! These beautiful pics and scenery brought it all back to life! Thank you Mom for working so hard to put this together...it is a treasure!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What beautiful scenery and people! I have never heard of either place. Love the t shirts and the contest.
ReplyDeleteOh man see I loved these places too! I can't choose which was the best, I loved them all so much. This has been so fun to go through your well documented posts and relive this glorious trip!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will reply soon. Thank you in advance.
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