After spending two weeks in Croatia (with a stop in Bosnia, pictured below) we decided to take some much needed 'down’ time in Montenegro. Partly because it is cheap for accommodation and food, partly because it's another country to add to our list and it's only a few hours bus ride from Dubrovnik (pictured above).
Down time for us means, catching up on laundry, blog posts, website posts, editing photos, eating junk and sleeping in!
Although, yesterday morning we had no sign of a lay in as we did a roadtrip around the north of Montenegro.
It was a fifteen hour day, but it was so worth it! We had our alarms set for 6am this morning also, to walk up the fortress wall, but unfortunately we slept through it. (One of those sleep in's i just mentioned). Oops! We shall have to hike it tomorrow instead!
The first few stops on our drive, were photo stops.
Our lady on the rock, the salt lake and also this incredible view of Kotor bay, which is situated just outside of Kotor.
Next stop on our itinerary was 'Djurdjevica Tara Bridge'
(Famous Tara Bridge). Which, as far as bridges go, is pretty impressive! After all the incredible structures I've seen, I definitely need to get round to writing a post on European bridges! You can actually zip line alongside the bridge, which looked so much fun! But we were on limited time to drive into the next place! Excuses, excuses, I'm actually afraid of heights! I did walk across the bridge and I did look over the edge, to see the stunning turquoise river below, which is a big achievement for me!
After touring many city and coastlines, we have been in much need of some forest time. So, we headed to The Black Lake, Durmitor National Park. It is protected by UNESCO. As most of the most beautiful places in the world are. So it is completely untouched perfection.
The lake is supplied with water by a glacier, so it is crystal clear at the shore and deep turquoise in the centre. You are allowed to swim in these lakes, but the bottom of the lake is extremely soft mud and silt, we heard of a few people being sucked down into the mud as they tried to enter the water. Possibly, this is mother nature's polite way of saying KEEP OUT!
We didn't fancy dying, so instead we walked around the lakes, taking in their beauty, taking photos. The lake was hugged by beautiful forest, the air was so clean, it was amazing just to breath it in.
Like Slovenia, Montenegro is definitely an 'up and coming' country. It is very cheap, despite using the euro as it's currency. It is still very much, a quiet place which isn't over run with tourists. The total countries population is under 700,000! That's how quiet it is! It's been lovely visiting such a scenic place, without the crowds. I'm sure this will change in years to come.
After spending a few hours getting back in touch with nature, we headed to Ostrog Monastery. Which was so eye opening for me.
Ostrog Monastery is a monastery built into a rock and is a monastery of the Serbian Orthodox church. It is the most popular pilgrimage place in Montenegro.
The monastery is very high up the rock, many religious followers choose to walk the two day walk up the rock, as opposed to driving it, so that they can follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims.
We arrived here just before sunset and we could see lots of people sitting on the floor, with blankets, food, supplies etc. We were informed that believers sleep overnight, outside the monastery, believing that miracles take place at night their. We were told that many parents with disabled children and people with ill family members will sleep their, praying for a miracle to heal them.
To have such a strong belief in something, is such a beautiful thing to have. I woke up this morning, instantly thinking of all those people, praying that they have indeed been healed.
The visit to the monastery is something that I won't forget. I didn't take many photos, just the one of the main building as it didn't feel right too in such a place.
We still have three days left here and then it is onto Rome. So I shall enjoy the rest of my down time and get my next post lined up, ready for y'all!
Peace out.
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