And soon enough it was time to drive again. Next stop was Rijeka Crnojevica. The lake Skadar in this area is a true wonder. Since it took a bit of time while driving there (food pitstops were in order) we arrived at our Airbnb quite late, so all we did was just staying outside, drinking house wine and playing cards until it was pitch dark. Did I mention already how good Montenegrins are at making breakfast? Well, they are: thin crepes with jams and honey, fresh farm eggs with local bacon that drowns in fat and of course your choice of drinks: freshly brewed coffee or tea, as well as freshly squeezed juices.
Our hosts also organized amazing tour on the boat around the lake, so we could see how truly beautiful the area is. The fauna and flora of the lake is exquisitely rare and gorgeous, so spending also two hours on that little voyage felt like a quick moment.
The next place we visited was an amazingly beautiful national park in Biogradska Gora. We walked and wondered for ours in that massive green giant. The types of plants, birds and animals that only live in that area are so tremendously important that they are protected by the government. I honestly don’t think that I’ve seen any other lake looking so magically beautiful. After getting done with that portion of the entertainment we were about to hit the road again; only this time going back to the seaside of the country again.
Sveti Stefan is a little, cozy town that offers the most delicious mussels along the coast. Finally getting settled at our place for the night we quickly headed out for our seafood feast. While being super hyped by all the reviews I have read about the restaurants that need to be discovered and personally rated on that trip, I have spotted this amazing, tiny restaurant where people are waiting in line to get in for hours. Absolutely for a very random luck that night the place accommodated us at the smallest table I’ve ever seated at. But the food? Ohhhh, that food I still see the dreams about. We ordered a bottle of the local sparkling wine and some fresh salad and mussels we couldn’t stop riving about for a very long time after. My recommendation: first thing in Sveti Stefan – go get yourself freshly caught mussels and some oysters in DRAGO restaurant.
The last couple of days we had to spend in Montenegro were in the most happening cities: Budva and Kotor. I guess I shouldn’t mention that the views around the places are simply spectacular. To indulge our senses, we simply needed to have that boat trip with Captain Ivan. Five hours spent on that boat made the experience truly unforgettable. We passed by well-known Our lady of the rocks. There is a legend that some sailors were saved by a mystical vision during the stormy night. The next day the local decided to build the church to honor the divine. Ever since this church brings thousands and thousands of visitors yearly. The hospitality, the salty breeze, the sun, our captain’s jokes and insightful information about the seaside, made that short voyage quite impressive. In the evening as per our usual program, we had booked the dinner in Perast at the wonderful place called Conte. The choice of wines and meals had been more than anyone could possibly think of. Particularly that trip has been a new revelation for us when it comes wine discovery: Serbian as well as Montenegrin wines are a source of inspiration and delight. That night we stayed at the restaurant for good four and a half hours, just eating, drinking, talking and simply enjoying the spectacular view.
And here we are drawing the line to my little novel of a 10-day trip to Montenegro. Overall, it was a dream I never had, come true, so do me a favor and gift yourself the most incredible week in that wonder of a country.
