2024 Balkans Overland Adventure, Kotor, Montenegro...

We were up early this morning, and I went for a walk around Kotor.  At this time of the morning I was able to capture some nice reflection shots across the Bay of Kotor as well as points of interest in the old town. Our guide Filip met us at the hotel and we walked to meet our driver Banic for our tour of the Bay of Kotor.  The Bay of Kotor is Europe’s most southern fjord and happens to be the largest natural harbor on the east Mediterranean Sea.  Our first stop was at the boat launch in Perast to go to Our Lady of the Rocks Island.  It was a short boat ride over to the island with picturesque sites of the islands and the town of Perast.  Along the way, we passed St Georges Island…  The island features the Saint George Benedictine monastery, constructed in the 12th century, and the old graveyard for the old nobility from Perast..  Great looking island.  The Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island across from Perast.  Local tales tell of two fishermen from Perast, who, as legend has it, cast stones into the sea. Miraculously, these stones are said to have merged, giving rise to the island. While the authenticity of this tale remains a mystery, it enhances the charm of Our Lady of the Rocks, making it a nice spot in Montenegro.  Returning to from the island we toured the town of Perast, located on the Bay of Kotor. Like everywhere else in this country, it was breathtaking; clear waters, beautiful buildings, and bright blue skies made it a great stop. Despite having only one main street, this tiny town boasts 16 churches.  We walked around the waterfront and visited St. Nicholas Church built in the 17th century.  The church has the tallest bell tower in the town. I then climbed up beyond the bell tower for a view of the surrounding area… very nice.  We returned to Kotor and started a walking tour of the walled city with our Filip. We entered the old town Kotor via the Sea Gate.  Kotor has an incredible history that dates back at least to 170 BC, when the ancient Romans settled it. Centuries later it was fortified, and today it remains one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is a UNESCO Heritage site.  Our tour took us past some of the more historic buildings and churches and provided a great description of some of the families who have lived there over the years. Square of the Arms, the central square, is home to a beautiful stone clock tower, and the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon was very impressive.  It was extremely busy in Kotor today…two ships in port and Orthodox Easter holiday weekend!  Filip took us to the River Gate in the slightly quieter northern corner of town beside the Wood Square, this gate opens on to a photogenic moat and section of the wall. The moat is filled by the clear mountain water of the fast-running Skurda River.  We continued to meander the street and open squares of the old town visiting some souvenir shops looking for T-Shirts until we arrived back at our hotel.  We went back to the hotel, dropped our stuff and went out again to do some shopping…I did get a couple of Montenegro shirts.  We were also blessed with great weather today.