Next stop on our trip is Kotor, Montenegro which is about 2-3 hours down the coast. After checking out and heading to the bus station just across the water from our hotel we hit a few issues. Namely that the 11am bus is full and the next one doesn't go until 15:30. Not ideal. To add to the annoyance, about three mins after I purchased four tickets for the 15:30 bus we decide to get a taxi instead. After then negotiating with the most spiteful women to ever work in the service industry I managed to get a refund minus a 10% fee which turns out to be 20% due to their mathematical incompetence and refusal to budge on their belief that 10% 500 kunar is a 400knr refund and not a 450.
Before long we are on the way and naturally it turns out to be far better getting a taxi. It only cost us €180 for four of us with the added bonus of two short cuts. The first one across a smaller border which saved loads of time (we get a taste of things to come with crossing borders with a non EU country...it's not quick!). The second was the ferry across and then taking the single lane back round which cut off a lot of time from the journey. All in all we arrive in about 2 hours 15 mins. Result.
Our first glimpse of the amazing scenery on the short ferry over.
Dave's excited boat face.
In Kotor we stayed a little way around the bay (10 min €5 cab ride) in a place called Prcanj in a tiny little boutique hotel called Art Hotel Galathea.
http://art-hotel-galathea-kotor.bedspro.com/en/#main
After a spot of lunch when we arrive we hit the sea side patio area of our hotel which will be our primary location for the next 4 days.
Absolutely stunning views and contrast between the mountains, the tiny villages and the sea.
The city walls lit up at night. If you are feeling brave you can around city walls. It's about 5km around but damn steep.
The old town within the city walls is very similar to Dubrovnik but on a smaller and much less touristy scale. Beautiful town.
That evening we go for dinner at the highly recommended Galion restaurant set on the water just outside the city walls. Really great restaurant with great views and food.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/montenegro/restaurants/reviews/galion-589145
Before that we did some wine tasting at the Old Winery within the old city. Not the most brilliant wine but a tasty Rose.
The next day consists mainly of chilling by the sea. Jumping in the sea. Cards. Beers and reading. Absolute bliss.
Ninjas.
Time for some more shit head. I won't bother posting the pictures of my hand when Nat injected a lot of penis into the deck by shuffling in some 80s male porn cards in there!
Worlds tallest cash machine.
The destination for dinner tonight was the very lovely Luna Rossa
Another one we highly recommend. Great food and service and situated next to a jazz bar that projected old Charlie Chaplin movies to he side of the building. Really great spot and surprising menu - me and Dave had turkey which was delicious.
One of the many cruise ships that drop by the bay daily.
That evening we head across to Porto Montenegro. The new port that is basically a playground for the super rich to park their yachts (or at least trying to be as it is still pretty new). We look out for Philip Green's boat as we hear he needs some friends at the moment but unfortunately(!) he's in Greece.
The port is a lovely place but more of a Dubai / Rodeo Drive type feel to it.
We go for a few drinks (and a quick game of darts) in the Club House before heading to dinner.
We head to dinner at a place called One which was once again lovely. We sat out on the terrace overlooking a crane that looked suspiciously like the Eiffel Tower.
One also had a very intriguing menu which included chicken curry and beef stroganoff which is what me and Dave went for! Great value too given the location.
http://www.portomontenegro.com/en/village/restaurants-bars/one
After dinner we head back to the Club House for a few drinks and I get talking to a guy who is one of the 12 strong crew on U2's boat. He was showing me pictures of him and the Edge in Dubrovnik the day before. Apparently they have a 6 bed / 12 person pimp yacht called Cyan (see link below). It's a snip at €182,000 per week to hire it from them when they aren't using it.
https://www.burgessyachts.com/en/charter-cat-1/yachts-for-charter/motor-yachts/cyan-00006482.html/
The next morning we wake up to another glorious morning in paradise.
Today we decide to hire a boat for a few hours to explore the bay. Dave has never been more excited. We stock up on beers and off we go.
We pass the gorgeous town of Perast on be way out. It's a lot smaller than Kotor and whilst beautiful not as much going on for us to stay there. Great for a visit though.
First stop is two separate islands in the middle of the bay, one is a monestary that you aren't allowed on and the other a church that you are.
The name of the church is Muzej Crkve Gospe Od Skrpjela. Just rolls off the tongue.
Looking back to Perast from the church.
Before we head to Perast we have time for some rock jumping which was a lot scarier than it first seemed once you were up there. It was also the sharpest rock to stand on ever. It was like climbing up a Lego mountain.
Ready. Steady...
Go...
No splash on this entry. Tom Daley would be proud.
And last but not least Daring David.
Quick stop in Perast for a glass of vino in hotel Admiral overlooking the sea.
Nice way to spend a Sunday.
Our boat... Not quite a super yacht but it did us proud.
Probably shouldn't be in charge of a boat after a good few beers but what the hell.
This is definitely how I plan to roll nowadays. Beer. Boat and me Bitches.
We're in trouble now.
Less so now as Nat didn't like to go above 4 miles per hour.
Trying to sort Nevick's back out after he injured himself jumping off the rocks.
After a good few more Gins and whiskys on the terrace we head into town for our last night. The choice tonight is Trapeza restaurant which despite the great setting sat on a terrace overlooking one of the squares the food was pretty bland. Do not recommend this place.
Nice shutters though.
Last few drinks at the Old Winery again for the customary holiday awards.
Charlie Chaplin back on again...
The next morning we wake up to find our flight is delayed by 5 hours. Whilst we still need to get to the airport to check our luggage at the same time we can at least then leave the airport and Porto Montenegro is just down the road. We also look into compensation and it appears we can get €400 per person. Happy with that for a nice lunch in Porto Montenegro.
We settle in with a lovely bottle of Rose at the wonderful Al Posto Giusto restaurant, sat outside on the terrace overlooking the super yachts. I have definitely had worse flight delays.
http://www.portomontenegro.com/en/village/restaurants-bars/al-posto-giusto
We have a little explore of the harbour and the ridiculous boats moored there. We see U2's boat which looks a bit like a battle ship to be honest - not that nice.
But also some amazing boats like this £50m bad boy.
Absolutely love this boat. This would be the dream cruising around in this. It's even got a bottle waiting on the table just to tempt us. It's for sale as well just to rub it in!!
After a nice lunch a little bit more of a delay we finally take off for home. Absolutely cracking holiday and perfect destination for a weekend away given the airport is only 20 mins from Kotor. Another one to add to the list of places to return to one day.
PS. We found a copy of Glamour magazine only to find this face in there...
