Back in Montenegro

We have crossed back into coastal Montenegro.  The Bay of Kotor is only an hour's drive from Dubrovnik but border crossings slowed us down and also we decided to take note of Lonely Planet's recommendation to visit the most atmospheric eatery in this country.  Konoba Catovica Mlini is in a rustic old mill which has been done up beautifully.  The gardens are magical and the food is pretty good.

This is the entrance to this enchanting establishment.

We were all very taken by the olive oil packed (rather than infused) with garlic.  Perhaps it could be said that the garlic was infused with olive oil.  It was most divine dipping our bread into it.

Just off-shore from Perast in the Bay of Kotor is a picturesque island housing Our Lady of the Rocks which was artificially created in the 15th century around a rock where the image of the Madonna was seen.

Our first view of Kotor.

The Bay of Kotor is accessed through a narrow passage from the sea with steep wooded hills descending to small villages perched on the tiny bit of flat ground between shore and slope.  You come across village after village perched on the slopes of the hills towering above them.  It’s what the Mediterranean use dot look like before we ruined it.

 

Kotor has survived centuries of would-be invaders by its imposing town wall, which scrambles in a zigzag line up the mountain behind it.  The town, with 3,000 living inside the town walls, has enough commerce and tourists to keep may restaurants and hotels in business.

The long arm of the Venetian empire is evident in Kotor.  The small town was so strategically important that the Venetians spent a fortune building defensive walls around it, providing an imposing network of fortifications.  Now you can hike up this amazing feat of engineering.  Of course Andrew did, and took some lovely shots from above.

The fortifications shown from below

and from above.

The fortifications on the hill above the old town are lit up at night.