Finally having had a decent nights’ sleep, I was up and eager to go look at the new destination of Bar in Montenegro! First there was the trip to the money machine to get the hotel paid. After achieving this Bator, the most accommodating owner offered to drive me to the old city where the Franciscan Monastery was found with the churches of St George and St Nicholas Dropping me off at the bus stop so I would know where to make the return journey from.
From the bustop you looked up and already had a wonderful view of the ruins.
I started to make my way up the totally impractical cobbled road as it was relatively steep I didn’t rush and just took time to admire the little shops, obviously souvenirs, one of Honey,wine and Olive Oil, and the many charming cafes, restaurants all with chairs and tables set out under umbrellas and shades, a must in the hot summer weather.
Reaching the main gate of the monastery it was a slow wander as the cobblestoned roads and paths were easy to trip on. As I wandered from one ruined room or building to another there was always the beautiful view to be captured on the camera. Interesting angles to be captured. You could see the olive tree plantations and indeed one of the olive trees was reputed to be around 2000 years old. There was an oil factory in the area for processing the olives but I gather it was slowly going out of production.
Reaching one of the high points, time to stop and admire the view and lean on someone to take my picture for me with the wonderfully blue Adriatic sea in the background.
The pictures across the city show all the terracotta coloured roof tiles, so uniform I wondered if that’s all you were allowed by the local bodies or whether its because they last the best. Which ever it is, it is a lovely picture. The monastery originally built in around the 15 century had sustained damage at various times but an earthquake in 1979 proved to be the killer and destroyed much of it. Efforts have been made to restore some of it but the financial backing is not there to support much more. What has been done is lovely and the potential of the place is very great, just a pity they cannot afford to keep going.
After spending at least two hours wandering I started back down to the bus stop. Taking a break at a small cafe for a cold drink and a piece of calorie rich baklava. I made the bus in good time , the fare being 2 Euro back to Bar.
We soon got to Bar, the only problem I had no idea which way back to the hotel. I had been shown a bus stop but it wasn’t the one I had got off at.
So as usual it was try to ask the locals, and eventually some one was able to point me in the right direction a walk of ovee 2kms in the stifling heat.
Fortunately I am easily distracted, and after buying some fruit to eat on the way, I set off in the general direction. Passing through a lovely tree covered park I came to Nikolas palace. A distinguished looking building but I had no urge
to go through it, I have nearly exhausted the palaces and castles mojo! The path past the palace took me on to the beach promenade where I walked in as many shaded places possible
It was intriguing seeing people laying on the pebbles of the shore, more like rounded stones than tiny pebbles. The water looked good, but standing on wet stones give way under your feet and its a strange feeling , nothing to grip on with your feet.
Eventually making it back to the hotel by mid afternoon for a bit of R and R in the air conditioning.
Later in the cooler evening hours I walked back to the town for a meal.