Kotor, Montenegro

After leaving Greece we had a relaxing day at sea sailing around the Ionian Sea to Montenegro.  Kotor lies at the bottom of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains.  It was said that the sail into the city was stunning so we arose at 5:30 to see the sights before anchoring at 7am.  Unfortunately it was very hazy and foggy, so visibility was not as nice as expected.  But we could see what a beautiful place we were visiting.  Kotor was a late change to the schedule when Istanbul was cancelled but we decided it was even lovelier and we were not sorry to be here.

 

We had a quick breakfast and met our tour group for a boat trip to the church of the rock.  I thought George would enjoy an adventure of this sort after so many city days.  We rode in a boat with about 40 to the church situated on a rock in the bay.  It was started on a sunken vessel and each year they still drop rocks into the water to maintain the site from the sea.  The church was small and picturesque with many frescos and paintings covering the walls.  It was also a museum with an odd collection of old things, including old singer sewing machines!!  The guns and swords were interesting.

 

On the way back to Kotor we stopped in Perast to visit a palace turned museum with interesting artifacts.  Much of it was Venetian in style as this area was occupied by the Venetians for many years. 

   

    George at church of the rock

 

      Perast church

 

  Perast

 

 

 

    After getting off the boat we walked to the old town section of Kotor.  It was Sunday and they were having a triathelon and the streets were crowded and loud.  As we walked inside the gate we ran into Carol and Pat again!!  All of us were looking for lunch so we had the pleasure of lunching in a beautiful spot with friends once more.

 

      George wanted to walk up the 1342 steps to the castle above Kotor but the girls sitting at the bottom reminded him that it was not a good time to do it…1:00 in the heat of the day.  And it was hot!!  So he had to settle for this photo..pretending to start up!!

 

  A little further along we found steps up to an overlook.  Carol declined to climb so we waved to them below as they returned to the ship.

 

After a gelato and more walking we made our way back to the ship and a quick nap!!   The ship weighted anchor at 5:30 for a beautiful sail away down the fjord to the open sea again.  More photos to follow when George gets them loaded.  Meanwhile he is playing pickle ball once again despite his sniffles.  I am sitting in the main piazza third level, watching all the hubub below and around me.  Selling diamonds, displaying the sparkling costumes, and music surrounds me.