Due to the unrest in Turkey, our Mediterranean cruise was re-routed to call in Kotor, Montenegro.
We decided to ride the Hop On Hop Off bus because the Bay of Kotor has a few nearby towns worth visiting. On the way back to Kotor, Igor, one of the bus guides, joined us for lunch and told us about the situation in his hometown. Even though Kotor has seen an increase in tourism due to the number of cruise ships visiting, it’s economy is barely functioning. In the off season, the whole area is just a sleepy little hamlet.
Igor recommended the cafe where he always eats lunch. It’s right in the old town and associated with the Hotel Kattaro. We enjoyed Montenegro’s own beer, Niksicko; and the local mussels fresh from the mussel farms in the Bay of Kotor were excellent!
(Click on any image for a larger view…)
Perast, Montenegro
An old seafaring town in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.
Walls and Church Above Kotor
We did NOT climb the 1500 steps! It's better done in cooler weather, and not in the middle of the day.
City Walls
A rather handsome griffin on the old city walls of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walls were built in the middle ages.
Local mussels and Montenegro beer!
Having a beer with Igor, our Hop On Hop Off bus guide.
Window
A window in Perast, Montenegro displays the Venetian architecture that is prevalent in this town.
St Nicholas Church
The 17th century St Nicholas Church of Perast, Montenegro.
Hypnos
The oldest discovered image of Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep - a mosaic on the floor of 2nd century ruins in Risan,
St George and Our Lady of the Rocks
These two islets are in front of Perast, Montenegro. Our Lady of the Rocks is an artificial island built by sailors to fulfill a promise. Legend says that a couple sailors once found a rock with the image of Mary on it. Thereafter, whenever any sailors returned from a voyage they threw a rock in the bay on that spot. Eventually, an island formed.
Kotor Bay Map
This deep inlet offers a well protected harbor. The kidney shape Bay of Kotor is divided into Risan Bay on the left and Kotor on the right by town of Perast in the middle.
I don’t comment much but I often spend some time on your blog and just had to write this time. I love keeping up with y’all and having spent a week last year in Dubrovnik myself, you have taken me back.
Also, if you are ever in North Carolina, let me know.
It looks beautiful. So glad you two are having a great time. I miss you.
And here I’m thinking I wish I could ride a motorcycle, haha. It’s all good, right?
Ivan & Deena,
I don’t comment much but I often spend some time on your blog and just had to write this time. I love keeping up with y’all and having spent a week last year in Dubrovnik myself, you have taken me back.
Also, if you are ever in North Carolina, let me know.
Enjoy your travels and let’s keep in touch.
Peter
Great to hear from you! Yes, the Croatian coast is on our list for a much longer stay!