Kotor - went for two days, stayed for four

Kotor sits at the very end of what feels like a box canyon. A long narrow seaway into steep mountains on three sides dominated by a mountaintop fort accessible via two city gates. With battlements all the way up to the top it cannot help but conjour deadly medieval clashed.

The motor to Kotor was 14 spectacular miles and it was suggested that on the way we look for these.... 

Also conjouring deadly clashes of a more recent time. Submarine silos.

We had tried to book a berth online but got knocked back. Fortunately our Aussie mates had been moored there for a couple of days and they made a reservation for us. We ended up right next to them. 

Not 100 meters from our mooring sat the Queen Victoria alongside the same wharf giving an idea of the depth of this bay. Each day there was at least one and sometimes two large cruise liners disgorging thousands of tourists and giving Al a weird head shape when photographed in Pano mode. We did need to time our entry to the city to avoid this tourist crush.

A walled city with various entry gates, Kotor is a fully functioning city with multi coloured marbled streets, some the width of one person, some with piazzas large enough to accommodate a cathedral. As you’d expect, many places to sit, eat, drink and watch.

Al and I decided we wanted to see the sunrise from the fort at the very top which would require a 5:00am start. What we didn’t decide on was the 3:00am night before, having been mesmerized by an amazing three piece band. 

When 5:00am came around we would have blown 0.15... 



There are two climb lines you can take. 

A steep and dangerous shorter climb on the right side of the mountain.. or the more sedate staired 'walk' of 1500 plus steps on the left but still no doddle.

Unfortunately the start gate for the steep climb was much closer to the boat than the sedate.... so up we went. 


You know that feeling when you’re close to the edge of a cliff and you feel drawn to it….? Try it in the soft light of dawn when you’re blowing 0.15, far out! There were a few moments there when we really questioned the sanity of this decision. 

Then suddenly, thanks surely to our state of mind, we were at the top!

We got there before sunrise and for those who don't follow on Facebook, I hope this works for you. I discovered Time Lapse mode, or truth be known it was probably Al who pointed it out, but it is the duck's nuts. 

Prop the IPhone on a rock, choose Time Lapse mode, press the red dot and boomba! 

Re-provisioning the boat was easy. The market was literally across the road from our mooring. Fresh fruit and veg, dried meats, nuts, cheeses, fresh fish and meat. 

Sally is usually in her element in these places, but the prices were getting the better of her temperament. For those who sail here be aware, it is ridiculously expensive. 

Ten Euro for less than a kilo of olives.

There are some remarkable art pieces that give the impression that Montenegrins don't take themselves too seriously. 

This Pippy Longstockings adorns one of the main city gates.

There are several trees with eyes...Looking a little like stoners from the 60's, or perhaps Astor staff circa 1982?

The final, final concert by the Tragically Hip, a band with a cult following in Canada was going to happen at 8:30pm on the 20th Toronto Canada time. 

Final, final because the lead singer Gordon Downie has incurable brain cancer and this was the last concert of the last ever tour. 

Why am I telling you this?

Well, it marked the end of Al's time with us this season. He'd bought tickets before leaving Canada and as with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there was no way he was going to miss it. 

Spotify some of their work, it's hard to understand how they haven't bust out of Canada?

Really pleased you made it Al. We know how important it was to you and your mates. Thanks for being such great company and a huge help yet again. 




Not sure how we now cope without you.... but hey.  We're going to try!