Tour time

Jordan and I, with his brother Tory and fiancee Lynne, toured Montenegro's mountainous interior in a rented car on July 5th. The roads at times were very narrow and windy with many many switchbacks and along the steep slopes, providing gorgeous views of the scenery and people.

Where eagles soar

Traditional Montenegrin dress

The first stop on our list was a mausoleum in Lovcen National Park. It was built on a mountain pinnacle and dedicated to Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, a Montenegro hero. We drove up as far as the road could take us, then climbed 461 stairs, parts of which were through a tunnel and up where the structure was perched on the apex ridge. At 1,657 m above sea level, we were literally in the clouds.

Granite guards of the crypt

Next up was the Ostrog Monastery. Built in a shallow but wide cave in the side of the mountain, the building looked like it was plastered onto the vertical face. The drive to the Monastery was, once again, outstanding with switchbacks and narrow roads (at times, one car width) carved into near vertical mountain sides.

Built into the mountain cliff

And finally we drove towards the Tara Canyon. (Parts of the Canyon are, apparently, the second deepest in the world with the Grand Canyon of USA being the deepest.) The drive there was once again outstanding as we passed through mountainous pine forests, scrub bush, and alpine meadows with cottages having steep roof lines for winter snow.

Peaceful alpine

We never found the actual Canyon but found the concrete Tara Bridge that crosses over an emerald coloured river.

Tara Bridge

Using cell phone GPS, we determined we could make it back to Sea Turtle even though it would be after dark. It was a day well spent and much enjoyed.

We enjoyed the unusual visit of a dolphin while anchored in the Bay of Kotor before saying goodbye to our company, Tory and Lynne.

A loner