If you’re going to take a trip somewhere, I implore you to give the slow travel experience a shot one of these days; it may just be what the doctor ordered. Follow that link in the last sentence for a post I just wrote on the subject. My days here in Dubrovnik are filled with much of nothing until the thought of doing something crosses our mind and then, perhaps, it just might happen.
You work hard, why turn your vacation into some rat race?
Photo is of Gruz Harbour from apartment I rented for my mother and I.
You should go to Dubrovnik at some point in your life if you’re a traveling type; it’s the “ultimate fairytale old city”. I say this as I’m back again and naturally, my mom loves it. Also, met this couple who just did a bender Euro tour like they were 19 when they are 57 and they wish they had more time.
As always, how long you stay is up to you but it’s worth seeing.
I’m a single guy in his mid-thirties because I almost had a wife once but it nearly killed me. I’m sure one day I’ll go back to the dark side but for now I like the quote “oh what a life without a wife”. That said, traveling with family is some of the best times anyone could ever have. Those big trips you take with friends when you’re younger? They’re still cool but how many of them are around until the bitter end?
Solid times had with family strengthen the most important relationships you’ll have your entire life. Sure that random sibling or cousin may get on your nerves but at the end of the day, they’re your people. I just picked my mom up at the airport in Podgorica, Montenegro and we took a taxi back to Budva. Should you fly in, recommend a taxi and get the guy to make stops.
Already we’ve seen Skadar Lake which is basically the border with Albania, Petrovac, St. Stefan and now she’s sleeping before we hit the town for dinner. I’ve done most of the world alone but in 2011 I met up with my mom and we made it to Taormina, Sicily. That place is insanely picturesque and she loved it which is why I invited her to come see the Budva Riviera before heading up to the Dubrovnik Riviera because both these places are mind blowing too.
A friendly reminder to go somewhere, anywhere, with the family when you can while you can. Also, it doesn’t really matter where you go because it will be some restaurant whose name you can’t remember or never even knew where something hilarious happened and you’ll laugh about it until you’re all dead. There is a joke about “being in transit” that I and the rest of my immediate family remember vividly from some lame highway stop over 20 years ago; hilarious but like all travel stories, you had to be there…
I started buying land on Little Corn Island in 2012 because I loved the place. In late 2013 I heard rumors of the possibility of building a Nicaragua Canal to “compliment” the one in Panama. The Panamanian canal has all sorts of issues; primarily the width and price. They are expanding it I heard but even then, boats are growing faster than the expansion and it’s old hat.
Just today, according to BBC, the route for the Nicaragua Canal has been finalized and they plan on breaking ground this year. The canal would stretch 173 miles or 278km and start in the Caribbean not that far from where I live and end in the Pacific… This is some pretty crazy news and lots of expats I know from the islands are against it; I on the other hand remain indifferent. Everything has its pros and cons, yes?
Skeptics say it’s not possible blah blah because it’s roughly 77km longer than the Panama Canal which was quite a feat, yes? That said, I’m of the school of thought that we are a heck of a lot more clever than we were in 1914 so we shall see. It’s a huge project to the tune of ~$40bn and will probably cost considerably more.
Either way, shit just got interesting for Nicaragua and I can see a future filled with more jobs and a lot of prosperity for all those who get in on the trade in the region. I’m just thinking of the two free-trade zones and how people love ordering stuff online at discount prices… There are some environmental concerns but when isn’t there?
I’ve been getting involved in the nightlife here in Budva, Montenegro; how could I not? The other night I met some ladies from here who live in New York City. Suffice to say we became friends over cocktails and they invited me to join them for an afternoon at Almara Beach Club.
Almara Beach Club is in Lustica Bay which is ~30 minutes from Budva by car. I liked the place and I’m not a big beach club guy. You see, I live on an island with really nothing but beaches and am kinda bored with the whole scene so the idea of paying money to do something similar simply doesn’t strike me as interesting. That said, life is seldom about the places and usually about the people, yes?
I liked this place as I had good company and it was intimately social meaning small but still setup where interacting with others was easy should one be so inclined. Also, it was rather isolated so you had to make the mission which meant it was like this fun club in the middle of nowhere; I like places like that.
If you do go, stick with the wine, beer, freshly squeezed orange juice or a combo of all three. The cocktails were expensive and tasted like it was totally devoid of liquor; sigh.
Loving it here, so much so that I bought my mom a flight; she arrives tomorrow.
If you’re in Budva and feel like doing some rafting in the deepest river canyon in Europe, I recommend you go rafting in Tara River Canyon. Unless you go in May, the water levels are quite vanilla which ultimately is a good thing as you can bring most of your family / friends with you. The water is freezing though but you’ll have a full dry suit etc… That said, if you don’t jump in the water at least once you’re a wimp and hopefully none of you are.
Point of this bloggery is that if you do go you’ll enjoy an incredibly scenic road trip and be glad you did. The trip takes ~3 hours as there are no real highways in Montenegro so the whole two lane song and dance is the performance you’ll be involved in the entire way. Also, stop in Podgorica for a sandwich and experience a place known as being the least visited capital city in all of Europe.
If you’re traveling to Dubrovnik, you’re going to want to avoid the masses during the day. You can take all sorts of kayak tours but we opted for a quick one around the walls as we were pressed for time. I didn’t actually do any kayaking, I just sat there and let the enthusiastic guide do the paddling as you’re supposed to wear a bathing suit but somehow I missed that memo and didn’t feel like getting wet which I think made it even more enjoyable?!
It’s cool though because you can go to Paramount Restaurant to get a good view of old town, you can walk the walls to see what it’s like inside from up top but when you get out on the riviera in a boat you really see how crazy the natural landscape was where they built Dubrovnik. That said, if you’re not so much into kayaking look into some other form of boat ride you can take which fits your budget; it’s a worthwhile experience.
Below is a video I made of walking the walls in old city Dubrovnik.
Here’s a tip for if you go, do the walk first thing in the morning or near sunset; if not you’ll fry. Also, try and avoid the entire old city during the day as it’s packed with cruise ship passengers. Nothing against them as individuals but together, the aggregate is a really slow moving blob trying to squeeze through streets like an overweight lady getting into her favorite jeans.
This will be brief as I need to check out of my hotel but wanted to check in here first. Budva, Montenegro is unreal and I’m loving my time here, I bet you would as well. I’m liking it so much that I’m looking into renting a room overlooking Sveti Stefan later this afternoon.
Tonight is the opening night of Top Hill which is supposedly a stunning open air bar, we’ll see. The photo above is from Jaz Beach at the start of the Budva Riviera. Also, this country is very small so you can go from mountains to beaches and back again in an afternoon should one wish.
If you speak Russian, it would also be helpful; big holiday spot for them.
Next vacation, remember the word “Balkans” and you’ll do fine.
Things have been busy around here and not busy as in traveling; busy as in catching up. I’ve spent the last 5 nights doing my own thing here in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Old City is the main draw but I’ve been away from the manic crowds in Gruz which is considerably quieter. It’s where locals live and ballers dock their yachts.
A local friend hooked me up with a place to stay in Gruz; you see that top photo? It’s from where I was staying on the third floor; I was a floor below but still a good view. It’s not listed but if you want a room / apartment in an old stone house that feels like a private country estate overlooking all the madness give my friend Teresa a call at 3852098580391 internationally or 098 580 391 locally.
These are random photos from the last few days; do visit Dubrovnik.
You can click here to read more about my time in this fine city.
I’m off to Budva, Montenegro in two hours; let’s see what it’s all about.
