The journey from Mostar to Kotor took approximately 5 hours by bus, arriving just after lunch.
Zoran treated us to a lengthy induction walk around the City of Kotor, the area within the walls. The breakfast prior to setting off towards Kotor was disappointing so I was pretty hungry during out Kotor walk. As soon as it concluded we had lunch at Konoba Scala Santa where I tasted the most sublime grilled Octopus dish. My compatriots were equally impressed with their freshly cooked seafood dishes, and opened the f(l)ood gates to an almost non-stop seafood diet until the day we finish our tour.
I consider the above photos to be a good summary of the kind of architecture and layout found in the old city of Kotor. One thing they hide is the vast mountain ranges all around the bay of Kotor.
In the evening, we were taken to a restaurant not far from our Hotel called Cesarica where I had the squid stuffed with shrimps dish. It was good although the shrimps were a little mushy for my liking.
Post dinner we had some drinks at the bar atop the city walls at the Citadela Restaurant. Zoran had made us aware earlier that evening that scheduled tonight was an annual summer festival, where the old city turned each corner or courtyard into a party for every style of person. Before the party started however, we were treated to a fireworks display to mark the end of the boat judging event. I still don’t entirely understand what actually happened that night. There was a boat parade, lots of MCing, loud Montenegran music and the most confusing nightclub I’ve ever been to.
The next day the group went for half a day of sea kayaking around the bay. First time for me, though the principles from my days when I rowed in the Cambridge bumps still apply. The return journey paddling into a head wind was not so enjoyable. Irrespective, I had a good time and visited a pebble beach (the first of many) and got started on that tan.
After the kayaking session we had a quick average lunch, with a better than average crepe. Our trio (‘Team Awesome’ on our What’s App group) agreed to go for a late afternoon hike up to Kotor Fortress. Most tourists would access the Fortress by walking up the Old Town Road, accessible by 3-4 entrances from the old town and having paid EUR8, walk up the never ending polished steps until reaching the top, then returning the same way back.
I had a look at the reviews for the fortress (I know, right?) and a lot of the comments referred to the Old Kotor Fort Trail. Accessible from just outside the Old Town walls (a path which is even marked on Google Maps), the Old Kotor Fort Trail in my opinion was far superior to the official track. Apart from being free, it was likely a longer, but much more gradual gravel incline that zig-zagged up the valley. A valley we would have completely missed out on.
Just before the path turned right towards the Old Town Road, we were treated to the Saint John Church, home to a lonely brown donkey.
After joining the premium route, a couple hundred more steps led us to the top of the fortress. Compared to the views, the fortress was very average.
I managed to convince my companions to invest in the sunset whilst on the mountain side, as well as a chance to take a few more creative shots. In general, sunsets in this part of the world have been a bit disappointing, on account of usually being obscured, but the real gem is seeing the old town light up. I also managed to convince John and Mark to participate in some creative photography while we waited for the sun to set.
