Roosink's Europe Road Trip 2013: Montenegro!

And now for something completely different ...

Montenegro! (29th June - 7th July)

A geographical memory jogger for us all :)

The BALKANS

Last week we crossed over from Bari, on the Adriatic coast in Italy, to Bar in Montenegro by overnight boat. We were the only campervan for a change and were a bit suspicious. At the border check we were the last off the boat and saw everyone before us going through extensive checks of the whole car AND luggage. But to our surprise we were welcomed and happily waved through :)
In hindsight, the numerous vehicles without number plates crossing the border may have been more a concern for the border patrol ;)

Flag of Montenegro.
A royal flag of King Nikola I

Montenegro or Crna Gora has been independent from Serbia since 2006. The first and only ecological state in the world at the moment, since 1991. Made up of Montenegrins (43%), Serbs (32%), Bosnians (9%), Albanians (7%), Muslims (5%) and Croats (1%). 62,000 residents in total.

Niksicko, Montenegro's national beer from the town of Niksic

Local produce from the side of the road

Stari Bar - the "pompei" of Montenegro

These rascals hijacked the campervan putting on a spontaneous magic show with flashing lights.

abracadabra

With our GPS again on the blink we blindly followed this road hugging the mountainside until reaching the ridge (which you can see in the distance). To our right are views over Albania. We then switched back 160 degrees and popped out at Lake Skadar (National Park). 2/3rds of the lake lies in Montenegro and the rest in Albania. It's the largest lake in the Balkans and is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, including some of the last pelicans in Europe. Popular with bird watchers.

Road block. Here I can also include the 3 cows I had to navigate on a run this morning.

Lake Skadar (National Park)

Views to Albania to the east, here and below

BIOGRADSKA National Park

Sarah's (40th!) birthday dinner at the Biogradska restaurant, just a stone's throw from the campsite.

Sink / fridge with continuous flowing chilly water from the mountains.

Biogradska is the smallest (54 square km) of the 4 national parks in Montenegro but packed with flora, fauna, 3 kinds of trout, 10 sorts of mammals, 6 glacial lakes and trees up to 60 metres. We camped at one of the lakes and explored it by row boat.

Biogradska Lake

Durmitor National Park

(UNESCO World Heritage Site)

We spent 4 nights at a campsite at 1500m at Durmitor National Park boasting 48 peaks over 2000m altitude. Highlight was the ski lift up to Savin Kuk to 2318m. 2 ski lifts actually and incredibly STEEP! The views from the top were worth it.

An afternoon's activity. DIY tent at campsite in Zabljak ;)

Typical houses in the Durmitor valley in Zabljak

View from Savin kuk

From the ski lift we witnessed this flock of sheep separate as 2 skiers came down the mountain on a small patch of ice (in July!). They had set up poles to 'figure-of-eight' between and even had their own portable powered rope lift to get them back up!

The ultimate goal really was to FINALLY get into some serious snowball fighting. We could see snow on several occasions but nothing within reach. Here the kids all got their hands on some snow for the first time. Faces were priceless :)

The tops of Durmitor!

Wishing well

transport ...

The Black Lake in Durmitor NP. 2km walk from our campsite which we somehow made 12 of. Lunch on the way. As usual goulash for Kai! 14 euros for lunch for the 5 of us is a pleasant change.