Montenegro - photo blog by Anne

To me, it's the amazing scenery that depicts Montenegro. 

The sheer stone mountains uplifted into the air and the clear blue glacial lakes they leave behind create the stunning Kotor Bay. 

The crazy narrow roads with hairpin bends that snail upwards around the edges of these stone mountains with rustic tunnels where the inside is still the raw stone of the mountain - no lights and no air vents.

Then as we head to Bosnia we drive through narrow gorges and see the most majestic scenery that spans in all directions. The camera can not capture the majestic feel that this special place has.

Kotor Bay written by Katie

Climbing up a 260 metres high wall, trekking up in the mountains, splashing into the bay and of course cruising the main streets and old city. For the last two days we've been  exploring a small town called Kotor which is in Montenegro, did you know that Montenegro only came a independent country in 2006. In the last 2 days we've had lots of fun exploring  here are some of those things.


On our first day we arrive from Croatia unpack at our apartment and set off to the old city to explore and find some dinner. The old cities have walls up around but this practically old town had a moat around it. We walk around and get some little souvenirs then settle down to dinner. Our dinner was at a local restaurant. When our dinner was over we ask for the bill then wandered off to see what's in the main square. There was restaurant next to restaurant, shop next to shop everywhere! People say lose yourselves in the old town make it like a maze and that's what happened to us.

The moat and edge of old city.

My dads dinner.

Our second full day has come, we wake up at 6am and chuck our sneakers on and start to make our way  up the old city tall walls up the mountains! The tall walls are 4 km long and were built in the 15th century. Once you make it to the top(which takes about 1 hour) there are stunning views you could see north, west, east and south of the whole bay you were looking over mountains, sea and boats. Up on the top there was a fortress that survived World War 1 and 2. As we walk back down we look over the town and my Mum and Dad saw our car, but I didn't. The walk was much easier than I had thought!

One of the cruise liners!

Fortress.

A nice view looking down!

When we weren't doing walking or eating, we were walking around the bay. For the two days we were there, there were huge cruise liners, and when we were actually up the wall you could see 3, one was docked and two were anchored. At night the seaside would come alive. There were lights sparkling and music so loud you'd have to keep inside. On our second night we go to a nice restaurant on the bay seaside. I had a wonderful time on the bay seaside!

Super Yachts!

At night the wall lights up!

Lights reflecting on the water!

Climbing up walls and exploring old towns seem nice to me, I feel a bet sad that I'm leaving Kotor Bay. Next stop Bosnia!

Loving it in Croatia written by Marvin

After leaving Slovenia, we head south into Croatia with first stop Lake Plitvice National Park.  We stay in rural apartment about 7km away from the Park.  The place is great as it has a small soccer field and playground for the kids to waste some energy.  We arrive at the Lakes in rain although that doesn't dampen our spirits and it clears quickly within an hour.  The Lakes are famous for the cascading waterfalls, easily accessed through a serious of boardwalks, pathways and by boat.  We spent a good 5 hours there wandering amongst the wonderful scenery (see Connor's waterfall blog for more photos).

We arrive in Split and check in to our apartment which is only 350m from the Old Town.  It is on the first floor of a three storey apartment block built 100 years ago, and as we find out later it is the family home of the person renting it out.  We head down to the Old Town, enter the Palace by the Golden Gate, past the statue of Gregorius of Nin (10th century bishop).  We rub his big toe for luck, which is polished to a bright shine.  I wasn't really sure what to expect inside the palace walls, although it was an intriguing mix of old and new all seemingly working together.  Brand new shops selling sun glasses and cellphones, against the backdrop of Roman arches and stone walkways rubbed smooth by thousands of years of foot traffic.  While the place is busy there is still a good feeling, and no one is bustling for space.  There is even one footpath called "let me pass" as it is only wide enough for one person. 

The Riva (promenade) is a buzz with restaurants, a great spot for people watching with a cold beer in the balmy 25 degC heat.  We had dinner at a local restaurant (called "Tri Volta")   recommended to us by our host. After 20 minutes of searching we almost gave up, although discovered it at changed its name!   After dinner there is live music on the Riva, playing a good selection of well known songs, creating a festival atmosphere. 
The next day we explore a bit more in the 3D maze that is the palace before heading up Marjan Hill for a view over the city.  People live in the heart of the Palace as evident by the washing hanging out!We listened to a local group of men singing the traditional Klapa songs in the area known as the Vestible, before having dinner in a cute courtyard covered with grapevines.

The drive to Dubrovnik was planned to be around 2.5 hours, although we didn't realise we have to pass through Bosnia on the way, hence a couple of border crossings.  Weird how Bosnia comes down to the coast for about 5km.  Dubrovnik is smaller than Split, only about 30,000 people although it is way more touristy.  We walk down to the Old City and marvel at the huge walls surrounding the town, which were built in the 14th/15th century.  We walk down the Stadun (main street) before entering the War Photo Ltd gallery, hosting a series of images from 1991-1995 war, and also more recent ones from Ukraine.  Well worth the 100Kuna entrance fee.  I learn that Dubrovnik was under siege for a year from Serbian military wanting to occupy the Old Town, although they failed.  As a consequence Dubrovnik and the Old Town were peppered with artillery fire and shells.  Water and power supplies were cut for months although the people persevered.  After lunch we walked around the walls.  They are about 2km long and average 1.5m wide, so walking along the top is easy, although there are plenty of steps.  Due to the bombing about half the roofs have been replaced, and the whole town appears fresh.

The next day we take a three island cruise.  A fantastic day trip on the Adriatic, visiting Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud islands.  The water is crystal clear, and the BBQ lunch provided was delicious washed down with local wine and highly potent Grappa.
Swimming at Lopud we joined into a game of Picigin, where you try to keep a small sponge like ball out of the water.  Great fun splashing around keeping cool diving for the ball.

 

Croatia is a land of contrasts, the coastline is rugged and dramatic surround by turquoise Adriatic Sea.  The further inland you go the more trees there are, although in the most they cling to more rocky ground.  The water is warm and clear, so a great spot to visit for a beach holiday or cruising the islands.  Split was our favourite place overall, easy to navigate, amazing history and architecture, and people not "in your face". 

 

Next stop Montenegro.

 

 

waterfalls by #lol connor was here

Today we went to a national park where there are awesome lakes and waterfalls.

Unfortulantely we could not swim in the crystal blue water because it was part of a national park.

We took heaps of selfies.

and there were fish there and you would sometime come across a fish 5 times the size of the average fish.

it was a fun 4hr walk around the waterfalls some waterfalls were massive.

the end.