So any way up we got at 5:30 which felt strange as usually when we´ve been up at that time it has been because we`re on a train and panicking that we have missed our stop, a quick look outside told us that the weather was going to be pretty nasty and knowing that we were going to be visiting gorges and mountains, flip flops were quickly ruled out as suitable foot wear. This meant squeezing back in to our trainers that still had half of the previous days rain in them.
It was about a 30 minute walk to the meeting point for the excursion and after some searching we finally found the right place, a few luxurious coaches pulled up but we were repeatedly advised that they were not for us, eventually our minibus did turn up and we were quickly on our way. As soon as the bus was in motion that was it both Nina and I were out cold, sleeping to the soothing sounds of a very high pitched talkative Russian lady who was irritatingly lively for that time of the morning.
About 2 hours had passed and we were back up on the gorgeous mountain roads, this time in full on daylight and they were just as beautiful, we then pulled into what looked like a lay by and everyone disembarked, we didn´t initially realise it but this was our first stop and where we had actually stopped was perfectly located to look down into the gauge and see an unfortunate rusting wreck of a car that had obviously fancied a bit of rally driving through the mountains and failed to judge the road quite right, either that or it was simply blown off by the winds which had Nina clinging onto me for dear life as I perched over to get some photos.
After 5 minutes or so everyone started boarding the bus again and we took it as meaning our time here was up and again we set off onto our next destination, we didn´t have a clue where it was going to be, turns out that it was CetinjeMonastry. As we went to get off they told us how long we had there in Serbian, we asked if they could tell us in English and suddenly every one was just staring at us. Turns out the mini bus was full of Serbians, Russians and Ukranians and that there was in fact a tour guide who had been talking pretty much constantly since we boarded, we were totally clueless to this fact and promptly felt guilt for sleeping and me in particular for listening to my MP3 player. They all thought it was hilarious though and did there best from then on to help the guide, who understood English but did not speak it, as much as possible, a notable star was the bus driver who had a passion for Only Fools and Horses and kept quoting his favourite lines.
By time we had got to the monastery the rain had started and as we entered the grounds it got heavier and heavier (clearly we were not wanted there), our 30 minute stop got condensed down to 15 minutes and by then people had taken the snaps they wanted, doused them selves with holy water and seen the church where St Peters remains are and were now in the minibus seeking shelter, the bus driver found it hilarious that we came from England but did not have water proofs with us.
On we carried through the mountains be for coming to what was billed as a spectacular lake where you could take walks around and look out for the local wildlife, (eagles, bears, Lynx etc) the Lake itself was more like a large puddle (we did judge it a bit based on Lake Garda) and with the rain teaming down like it was neither man or beast were up for spotting or being spotted so once again the obligatory snaps were taken and we were back on the bus within 15 minutes.
After more winding roads we reached the Tara Bridge which spans the gorge which at up to 1300m is the deepest in Europe and I believe the second deepest in the world after the grand canyon. For once everyone seemed to forget about the rain and walked across the bridge taking in the amazing views all around, it was truly stunning and Nina actually managed to make it across without crying, although she did stay well away from the edge. I had been hoping they did bungeeing from the bridge, it would be an awesome launch pad, but sadly they don,t and my feet remained firmly on the ground.
We headed further up the mountains after the bridge to the 2nd highest town in Europe, as we were making our way up the rain got heavier and heavier, the drivers vision got worse and worse and Ninas grip got tighter and tighter, when the first bit of thunder sounded I thought my are arm was going to get ripped off, this town was to be our lunch stop (nit inc.) We parked up in what we guess was the car park although it would easily have passed as a river and dashed across to the shelter of the restaurant. Hear the leaky roof problem was evident again, the rain was literally pouring through at certain points, however in the middle was a roaring log fire and that provided enough warmth ans we ended up staying there for a good few hours. The restaurant (Javorovača) was in an amazing setting and the food was even better, Nina had some cheese pie concoction where as I had the best lamb i have ever tasted (Lamb cooked under rocks), it was also at this restaurant that the irritably lively Russian decided we were her new best friends and she chatted away constantly, luckily a Ukranian couple were able to translate for us and basically we found out she was 70 and had been white water rafting a few day previously and before that she went water ski. We were in fits of laughter on hearing this and the fits of laughter quickly turned to tears of laughter as she got up from the table did a bit of a dance and then walked around in a circle patting her backside shouting Ruski Ruski Ruski, she was great!!!
The was one more stop after the meal and this was at the Black lake which due to the weather was not really any different to any other lake, but the bus driver did advise us that on every other trip he had done it had always been glorious sunshine and the lake does look really black, we took his word for it, took a photo and got back on the bus quick sharp, it was time to head home.
The bus journey home was a white knuckle ride comparable to those which you find at Alton Towers or Thorpe Park. The mountains that we had drove along earlier were now virtual water falls, the tunnels we went through all began with a sheet of water pouring down in front of the opening and once inside there were even more waterfalls on both sides of the road and down the middle, I had images of the rusting car that we had seen at the bottom of the gorge earlier in the day flashing through my mind and was grateful that our driver had enough skills to keep the bus on the road.
We had one rest break on the way back to Budva, I sought refuge in the smelliest toilets ever whilst Nina got harassed by the Russian lady, there were Pomegranates growing on the road side and the Russian lady was pointing at them saying ´granite´, Nina would then say ´Pomegranate´ the Russian would reply ´Granite´and so on and so forth for some time, eventually though Nina had the woman saying (in between hysterical Russian laughter) ´Pomegranate´, I guess you had to be there to appreciate it but i found it hysterical especially when the Russian women the punch Nina in the arm and walked off.
We were meant to get back to Budva at 9ish however we got back a 7:30 it was clear the trip had been curtailed due to the weather and although we saw all the sites listed many of the stops were reduced down however we did care one bit, we had loved absolutely every minute of it, the driver, the sites, the restaurants, the crazy Russian lady everything. However now when we here a squeaky Russian voice a flush of panic does come over us.
The plan ... well really there is no plan, but there is a good reason ...
Watch out Europe here we come. After working in travel it's time to put in action what I've learnt!
I can't take you all with me but here's the next best thing - share our travel highlights and fun experiences as we check out as much of Europe as possible over the next 10 weeks.
