The Balkans, late 2015 on my old XT600E (Arrunya)

[Wayne66]

Day 24 Balkans Trip

I went to Dubrovnik today. Well, the sun was out, the weather was great, and the roads were good, so why not.

From my Airbnb place I rode to Lepetane and got the ferry, N42.46547 E18.6859 which went across the bay and saved me probably over an hour riding round it. The ferries go about every 15 mins and cost 2 Euro for a bike. Not a bad deal, I would have spent a lot more than that on fuel. The ferry took you to Kamenari N42.46661 E18.67460. Then it was about 30 plus mile to Dubrovnik.

 

[Wayne66]

Its the first time I had been and only wanted to see the old town. I was really nice and worth the visit. Loads of old building and stone carvings. I think you could have spent about 2 days wandering around them. It was a right labyrinth in amongst it all.
I didn’t have that long though as they were not going to let me out of Montenegro at one point as I did not have my bike docs with me. I did however have my Montenegro Insurance and passport with me. The supervisor said fine as long as I was back before he finished his shift. I had about 4 hours, plenty of time. As it happened I got the supervisor when I came back into Montenegro and he recognised me so getting back in was a breeze.

Dubrovnik - Wikipedia

 

[Wayne66]

Once back in Montenegro I stopped at a Bikers Cafe and had some food before going back to my Airbnb place

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Day 25 Balkans Trip

Had a relaxed day today, I went into Kotor which is about 15 mins ride, parked up and went and had a look around the old town.

Riding towards the old town

Old Town entrance

A nice old building in the foreground, and above in the background was where I was going to walk to.

 

[Wayne66]

I also wanted to climb up to the Castle which overlooks Kotor and whose walls surround the old town.
It was a great climb. I guy who I paid my 3 Euro to told me there is just short of 1400 steps to get to the top. The view once up there was great and whoever was in the Castle at the time had a commanding view.

Kotor Castle - Wikipedia

Climbing up the steps and getting higher

Quite high now

The above two Panoramas do an overlapped 360 from the top

 

[Wayne66]

Some Castle views

The top

Looking down the other side

and today through the square window....those old enough should remember that saying

 

[Wayne66]

When I came out of the Old Town I got talking to two Guys from Bulgaria, one was on a Pan and the other on a 1200GS. They were on their way to Dubrovnik and then into Bosnia before heading back to Bulgaria.

Once they had left a UK plated R reg Africa Twin 750 pulled in and I got talking to the rider. Turns out Ian lives/works in the Kotor area now and has done for the past 4 years. He comes from Batley so it was good to natter to a fellow Yorkshireman over a couple of coffees.

Ian and his R reg Africa Twin

Sorting out the gear tonight ready for the off tomorrow. Budava old town via Cetinje, its only about 50 mile so might push on further.

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Day 26 Balkans Trip

Had a great day today. The roads were just superb. The plan today was to leave Kotor and go to Budva then see where I end up for the night. The route would take me through Locven National Park and Cetinje

Day 26 Kotor to Budva

As I left Kotor I had planned the route to take me up the Serpentine road which has 25 hairpins on it and a stunning view when you get to the top.

P1 is a narrow serpentine road from Cetinje to Kotor

Although I did not think it was dangerous!

Looking over Tivat

Looking over Kotor

 

[Wayne66]

From there I followed the main road for a bit before taking a right into one of the National Parks, Locven. It was really good riding through and I went even higher before starting my decent in to Cetinje.
Once there I had a bit of a ride around before finding somewhere to sit have a coffee and ring my partner in Thailand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovćen

I didn't get many photos in the Park as I was enjoying the ride

 

[Wayne66]

Cetinje

Cetinje - Wikipedia

 

[Wayne66]

Then it was on to Budva. I wanted to go and see the old town. Also I wanted to find the Budva Bikers Bar N42.28231 E18.83794. I did find it and had some lunch, grilled squid. Great. Whilst there I was given two of the bar stickers and a copy of the Bikers Prayer.
Then this guy came out and apologised for not coming to greet me sooner but he was busy. Turns out he is the owner of the bar and the owner of some lovely bikes, most of which he rides. So I said no problem and I was coming back for some more food after visiting the old town before going to find somewhere to pitch my tent. Anyway he said you can pitch it here but better still you can sleep in the back room but sorry I don’t have a bed. To top it off he told all his staff that I stay here as his guest tonight and everything is on him. What a gentleman. I am not saying that everyone will get the same treatment but the bar is well worth a visit. They have a band on tonight so hopefully a great night is on the cards. Sat at the bar doing the report.

Budva - Wikipedia

Coming down towards Budva

[

Budva

Budva Biker Bar

Welcome - | Beer & Bike Club Jadran | Budva, Montenegro

[

The Owner with one of his toys

 

[Wayne66]

Some more of his toys

This beast he said had a 1600 engine

Ummm, Arrunya fits in there nicely

 

[Wayne66]

So after a natter with the owner I went into the old town and after going to the old town of Dubrovnik and Kotor I was a little bit disappointed. Quite a lot of the area had locked gates with it being private property and maybe I have been spoilt with the other two.
But I did dip my boots in the Adriatic Sea…well I did it in the Mekong River so why not!

Tomorrow pushing on along the Adriatic before heading inland to Lake Skadar

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Day 27 Balkans Trip

A good ride today. I followed the Adriatic from Budva to Ulcinj then some minor roads from Ulcinj over the top of a mountain to Vranjina and Podgorica following the southern edge of Lake Skadar travelling west

Day 27 Budva to Podgorica

My first stop was Bar where I had some breakfast, from there I went to Stari Bar which is the old town of Bar and is surrounded by a wall.

Stari Bar - Wikipedia

 

[Wayne66]

From there I headed to Ulcinj and stopped there for a coffee.

Ulcinj - Wikipedia
Ulcinj | Visit Montenegro

 

[Wayne66]

Then it was minor roads over the top of a mountain before dropping down towards Lake Skadar. It was pretty slow going as the road was not the best with sharp bends most of the time about 50 to 80 meters apart. The bends were not the problem it was the crazy drivers in their cages coming in the opposite direction. It doesn’t mater whether they are taking a left or right hand bend they always go over the middle of the road and when the road is just over a cars width it doesn't leave you much room. Especially when there is a shear drop on your side.

Lake Skadar - Wikipedia

Where I was heading for

Going up one side of the mountain

At the top and my first view of Lake Skadar

Looking at Albania

On the way down the other side

 

[Wayne66]

I eventully saw the Old Fort near Vranjina N42.27143 E19.11969 but couldn’t find away to get there as it was at the other side of a railway line alongside a main road. But I did stop and take some snaps.

I have ended up in Podgorica and I am staying at the Hotel M Nikic. N42.43714 E19.26187. After getting about 3 hours sleep and doing over 100 mile today I need a good kip. Its not cheap but at least Arrunya is in a garage under the hotel.

Tomorrow I am heading towards Durmitor National Park.

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Day 28 Balkans Trip

Had a great days ride today. I went from Podgorica and ended up at Pulzine at a camp site on the edge of the Durmitor National Park.

Day 28 Podgorica to Pulzine

The road was easy going today and I made some good time.
I pulled off at the side of the road and stopped to have some food which I got from the supermarket last night

On the way I stopped at the Monastery Ostrog near Stubica N42.67475 E19.03088. It was a great sight to see and it is built in to the side of a mountain.

Ostrog Monastery - Wikipedia

 

[Wayne66]

The view from the Monastery was great

 

[Wayne66]

The side of the road stop for lunch

Happy Day, as it says on the drink.

 

[Wayne66]

The camp site is ok, I don’t know if I have to pay. No one about. But there is a restaurant about 25m away so I will be going there. They have wifi so I can get todays report up loaded. I was sat in the sun, 17 degrees C, typing this up and taking the photos from phone.

With a nice view

Tomorrow I am going to the Tara Bridge and then right around the back of Durmitor.

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Day 29 Balkans Trip

Had an awesome ride today. The Scenery was outstanding. I traveled from Pulzine to Kolasin via Lake Susicko and Lubljak. The route was to take me around the back of Durmitor National Park and up some great climbs

Day 29 Pulzine to Kolasin

On route to the Montenegro/Bosnia Border the sun was trying to break through as I went down the Piva Canyon and over the Dam. Then it was time for a fruit tea before going through the border to take the Tara Canyon road. It was only about 0800 and still a bit nippy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piva_(river)
A scenic road through the Piva Canyon in Montenegro

From the Dam

Looking the other way

Then over the bridge

Further on down the road

Tea Break

Montenegro Border control

 

[Wayne66]

Then in to Tara Canyon heading towards Lake Sušičko.

Tara River Canyon - Wikipedia

 

[Wayne66]

I stopped a Lake Sušičko with no water in it, although I did know there wouldn’t be any as it is only full after the winter thaw

The not so wet Lake

 

[Wayne66]

I had another off today which was a bit of a schoolboy error. I was going round some sharp, steep up hill switch backs as i was climbing out of the Lake Sušičko bottom and I was in second gear due to me looking at the sights. I should have been in first, I went to change down but for some reason I only got neutral, lost momentum and over I went. At least I have a matching push-in on the inner of both my panniers now.

Looking at the other die of the Canyon where I had just come from

Whoops