The Passenger ⋆ Page 152 of 307 ⋆ Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.

April 19, 2019May 18, 2022

1350 steps

People do strange things when on vacation and I can’t exclude myself from that. How often have I asked myself ‘Why am I doing that?’ – while climbing up La Giralda in Sevilla, Spain; while squeezing myself through the narrow corridors of the cupola of the Basilica di San Pietro at Roma, Italy or when climbing to the top of St. Paul’s cathedral in London, United Kingdom. At Kotor, Montenegro it is especially funny: people are brought on cruise ships with all comfort directly to the old city only to climb up to a fortress high above. 1350 steps, 1.2 kilometers steadily up the hill with an elevation of 260 meters.

April 18, 2019April 19, 2022

Kotor

The city of Kotor, Montenegro is a highlight of its own. The fantastic old and well-preserved city center with its churches, old buildings and fortified walls is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. That brings protection but it is also a reason why giant cruise ships anchor directly in front of the city. But even if you’re there while the city is flooded with tourists you can experience times of the day where this is a rather quite and relaxed place. And there are even some small yards set aside where you can enjoy some coffee in a nice atmosphere.

April 18, 2019June 20, 2019

Maritime museum

Kotor, Montenegro is an ancient trade and harbour city. It is therefore no surprise that seafaring plays an important role in the history of the city and that there is a museum dedicated to this at the historic city center: the maritime museum of Montenegro (Pomorski muzej Crne Gore). It is not a very big or modern museum, but it is worth a visit if you’re interested in the topic or want to learn a bit about the history of the city.

April 18, 2019June 19, 2019

Town of cats

If you like cats then Kotor, Montenegro might be a good destination for you. They are everywhere in the old town, the citizens love their cohabitants and care about them. They add their special cuteness to the atmosphere of this nice place. Additionally the Italian name for the town is Cattaro – a funny coincidence.

April 18, 2019June 20, 2019

Katedrala Svetog Tripuna

The patron saint of Kotor, Montenegro is Tryphon – a martyr worshiped by catholic and orthodox christians who is said to have the ability to cure illnesses. Therefore the main church of the city is named after him, the Katedrala Svetog Tripuna.

April 18, 2019June 20, 2019

Bus from Albania to Montenegro

I did not use long distance busses very often in the past. Within western Europe you would simply take a train. Only once I went by bus to Zagreb, Croatia because it was cheap and I wanted to try it. If you’re on the balkans the situation changes totally and as there are only a small number of railway tracks the long distance busses become means of transport #1. And I must admit I also enjoyed it.

April 18, 2019May 21, 2019

Sveti Stefan

The adriatic island Sveti Stefan near Budva, Montenegro is named after the Saint Stephan and was converted in the 1950s and 1960s into an island full of hotels. It is a wonderful place connected via a dam to the mainland. On the island you can find a church also named Sveti Stefan and formerly there was also a casino giving the island the name of the adriatic Monaco.

April 18, 2019May 22, 2019

Lake Skadar

It is the biggest lake on the balkans: Lake Skadar, located between Montenegro and Albania. It is 48 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide and receives its water mainly from the river Morača running through Montenegro. To the adriatic sea there is only one connection, the river Buna, which also forms the natural border between the two countries.

April 17, 2019November 30, 2022

Hotel Colosseo

If you’re travelling by long-distance bus to or from Tirana, Albania and without a too tight budget – then the hotel Colosseo might be a good option. It is a nice four star hotel at one of the streets leading to the city center and the Skanderbeg square. If you’re walking on foot to the bus station for busses going to the north (behind ‘Pallati Sportit Asllan Rusi‘) you’ll need about seven minutes. To the city center it is less than 15 minutes on foot.

April 17, 2019April 19, 2022

Surrounded by mountains

Getting to Tirana, Albania was a great experience. I selected this place as I was last time in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and it felt as the logical next step. Western Europeans have strange prejudices about Albania, most often connected with organized crime and corruption. And some days before my flight a plane of my chosen airline was blocked at the airport of Tirana and the money transported with it was stolen. Not a good omen.