Biogradska Gora - Picture of the Day 09/08/2010

Is a 54 square kilomtere National Park located in Montenegro and was a short journey to where we were staying. We went to Lake Biogradsko and did a circular walk around it. The area is stunning and the forest in this area is virgin having never been cut down and is described as primeval. There are a serious of steep sided mountains containing glacier lakes and swift streams. There are lots of animals and despite my best effort I did not see a bear (well there are not many left). 1 other animal we did not see were the Tiger Mosquitoes that the man in the visitor centre warned us about describing them as tiny but "bite like crocodile" after using insect repellent we kept most of them off but some of them got in at A's waist and she was left with three of the largest bites I have ever seen - this also led to a comedy incident in an Apoteka trying to buy Bite Cream.

This is what the area looks like

Bianca Resort in Kolašin

The hotel was empty. We met no other guests until teatime. We met only three members of staff. We went for a swim in the empty pool, the empty jacuzzi, the silent corridors and the bar devoid of people. It got busier throughout the stay and at the end was being used by the Montenegrin and Italian basketball squads in preparation for their upcoming match (Montenegro won) but on arrival you kind of wonder what you had got yourself in for especially when it fells like a small Belgian detective might be sitting quietly in the corner awaiting a murder to occur.

Movin' on up - Picture of the Day 08/08/2010

So after three whole days at the beach it was time to head for the town of Kolašin.

On Wikipedia it describes Kolašin thus:-

Kolašin is one of the centres of Montenegro's mountain tourism. Although Žabljak is considered more attractive destination, Kolašin has the advantage of being easily accessible by road and rail.

Kolašin is located on the foot of Bjelasica and Sinjajevina mountains, which offer great conditions for skiing. Because of Kolašin's altitude (954 m), the town is considered an air spa.

Biogradska Gora national park is in the town's vicinity, and is considered a premium tourist attraction. The development of Kolašin as a tourist destination is bolstered by opening of Bianca Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in town's center.

This is almost entirely accurate and the Kolašin is located in a lovely area of the country but describing it as easily accessible was not exactly how i would have described it. It involved travelling two of the eight most spectacular roads in Montenegro climbing and winding into the mountains on three occassions and then winding back down the other side. Travelling through Podgorica and the unbelievablly gorgeous Morača Canyon (more of this later). After three hours of travelling along roads consisting of 1 lane in each direction we arrived at the Bianca resort which looks like this. Love the hexagonal windows.

Sveti Stefan - picture of the day 07/08/2010

Sveti Stefan is a hotel that has taken over an island. It is everywhere. It is very pretty and is linked to the mainland by a causeway. It is on the cover of most guide books. There are post cards of it in most places. The beach and the cove it is in is one of the few really sandy beaches. Steps climb into the hills to surrounding villas. In the guide book it talks about the shady lanes and the smell of jasmine that drifts through its courtyards. After a hair raising taxi ride down the cliff from the main road we found it was closed for rejuvenation - oh well. Here is a picture of the outside.

Becici, Budva and Petrovac

Three of the resorts on the Montenegrin coast all differ vastly in character and the levels of enjoyment that they bring.

Budva old town is a beautiful old medieval Venetian towns with winding streets, elegant courtyards, decent if expensive restaurants and it is a lovely place to visit. The buildings are mainly reconstructed after they were mainly destroyed in the 1979 earthquake and I wish that they had been a bit cleverer hiding the air conditioning units that are necessary if unattractive. The area attracts the rich and famous of Balkan society and also stocks Jaffa Cake Ice Cream. Close to the old town is the tacky bit with the ubiquitous shops selling tourist tatt and I this is the area that I enjoy least.

Becici apart from a nice beach and a row of nice bars is over developed and the infrastructure has yet to catch up meaning that there are major traffic jams in the area and large areas are still being built. The government bans building work after May and after a little persuasion (like confiscating keys) there is noise but the building sites still remain. It is a shame that after the economic melt down in the early 90's the same building restraints had been put in place.

Petrovac is my find of resort, laid back, low rise, well gardened. From the areas along the Budva Riveria this would be my choice. A on the other hand disagrees.

Picture of the Day - 06/08/2010

Never saw a tornado or at least a waterspout (a non-supercell tornado) before- this one was at least far enough way not to be a risk to anyone at least until it started moving towards us!!

Kotor Bay

In all the literature written about Kotor Bay it claims that it is a s fjord - but although it is a steep sided valley it was not created by a glacier so is a submerged river canyon called a ria. I resisted the urge to correct it each time I saw it - just.