Just 3 days in Montenegro, but it was the kind of days that I can’t stop thinking of!
Now, three weeks later, as I close my eyes, I see the unbelievable beauty of the Durmitor National park, the canyon, the 1000 tunnels along the Piva river, the Kotor Bay, the sun rays shining through the bright orange and red trees, the mountains and curvy roads all along.
Was it real?
I don’t know, I think I’ll have to go back to confirm! 😁💛
GoPro footage:
25. Sarajevo 🏍 Zabljak
So many emotions in one day that I have to rewatch the video to make sure I don’t forget any of it!
Really difficult to leave the comfort of my Sarajevo apartment.
It’s 11am, time to leave but the thick fog doesn’t make the move very attractive (for me riding in the fog is worse than rain).
But okay, let’s give it a chance, what if clears up? I can just ride for an hour and if it doesn’t get better, I will turn around and come back to Sarajevo.
Ready, go!
Oh god, it’s cold, really cold. The cold fog gets under the jacket, into the helmet, and through all the layers of my clothing.
What’s the point of riding a scenic road if I can’t see anything because of the fog? I’m close to going back.
But soon enough some light starts to get through, and I see the canyon, the cliffs on both sides of the road, the river, the golden trees. Beautiful! And it gets warmer, too.
Let’s ride! Now it’s fun!
I stop for photos, enjoy the curves, turn my head left and right not to miss any of it!
Go through another tunnel (plenty of them on this route), and – boom – fog again. And cold. Seriously? This can’t be true.
I ride a bit more and stop at a gas station to refuel. I get a cup of coffee, sit down, try to heat up my hands, defreeze. Now I have to decide what to do.
Okay I’ll ride for an hour to the next town and maybe stay there for the afternoon/night.
As I finish my coffee, it clears up a bit and gives me hope!
Just about 20 km to the border but the asphalt gets much worse, single lane, with gravel parts every now and then. But who cares – the sun is back!
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I stop for a photo.
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Two min later another bike stops next to me.
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– Is everything okay?
– Yes, just taking a photo.
– Ah, cool. Where you’re heading?
– To Montenegro. And you?
– Me, too. You want to ride together?
– Sure! But I ride slowly 🐌 you might be bored with me 😅
– No worries, you lead and I’ll adjust to your speed!
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And just like that @watraczistraveling and I ride together until the Bosnia border control. Show documents, all good.
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Cross the wooden (!) bridge to the other side of the river, to Montenegro border control. All good. I’m so excited!
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Actually so excited that I drop my bike 🤦🏻♀️ Like an idiot! Watch the video and hear my hysterical laugh! Even the guy from the border control comes out of his booth to see what’s going on and helps me lift the 🐝 up. He seems friendly 😄
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An now the best part! Curves, tunnels, river, lake, views, more curves, more views, tunnels, 100 photo stops! Sunshine, sunset, more curves, dusk, silhouettes of mountains, this place is amazing!
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No, really, I don’t have enough beautiful words to describe how beautiful it really was!
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I must remember every moment of this day forever!
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I wish I could re-live it again and again! At least I can rewatch the video as many times as I want! 🔥🥰
26. Žabljak 🏍 Žabljak
Although my original plan was to leave Žabljak in the morning and head to Dubrovnik, the weather was too good and @watraczistraveling was too convincing, so I decided to stay one more day riding around in Durmitor National Park!
A few challenging curvy roads with ice and rocks but amazing mountain views and sunshine through the golden trees made my day!
Living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of it!
27. Žabljak 🏍 Budva
I was a bit sad to leave Durmitor with its breathtaking views. Little did I know that the whole road to Kotor Bay is gorgeous! No ice or gravel this time, but unexpected cows after a blind turn and crazy drivers competing for Darwin’s award. I’m not sure which is worse really 🤷🏻♀️
But the views, oh the mountains and the curves! And the Kotor Bay! 😍🤩💛
I wish I could stay for a few days…! But I have to keep chasing the good weather and a full week of rain is about to start in Montenegro.
I’ll have to come back!
27. Budva 🏍 Durrës (leaving Montenegro and heading to Albania)
So I had to skip most part of the Montenegro coast exploration because of the bad weather forecast. Yet I decided to drive by a few places and at least have a quick look at them and have an idea of what deserves more time for my next visit.
Honestly, Kotor bay is still my favorite from the whole Montenegro coast.
Crossed the border to Albania.
Forget everything I said about the crazy drivers in Montenegro! Or don’t forget, rather multiply it by… at least 6! In the end of the video there’s a little taster of the super chaotic driving in Shköder 😵💫
Bottom line: you never know who will do what the next moment, be ready for anything. Having riding experience from Asia definitely helps!
