We left Budva and drove an hour and a half to get to the capitol city of Podgorica. Instead of taking the same road, we drove along the coast and then through a 4 km tunnel and over Shkorda Lake, the largest lake in southern Europe. The scenery continued to be mountainous and the steep drop offs to the water were magnificent. Our drive was augmented with a great running commentary from our driver. We got to the Podgorica Hilton which is a five star hotel. All the amenities were top notch and since we were gold level members we were given access to the executive lounge. We walked around the parks and the river area before returning to the hotel for our spa appointments. How we were able to get appointments was a lucky break for us. The executive lounge gave us a free dinner and some gin to go with it.
Looking back at the Buljarica MArshes
A lonely rock building to the right on the ridge
The mountains pile up
Heading into the tunnel
Shkorda Lake
Ringed by mountains
A fine day for boating
Even bigger mountains to the north
No color changes yet
The news crews and speeches made it seem like these postal workers were on strike
Our five star luxury hotel for only $150 a night
They had a spa!
There were inspirational messages on the wall and openings in the appointment book
I got a hot lava stone massage and they gave me these paper skivvies to wear
In the heart of the town s the River Moraca
King Nickola of old
Lots of stone stairs and paths
Old fortifications
The old town is in this general direction
Nature abounds
Places to sit and enjoy
But the city is ever-present
We talked to a gal who was visiting between cruises, she heads out of Miami in two weeks
We walked under this bridge
I did not photograph the trash and the graffiti
The stone work is extensive
An old bridge over a creek
Extra flourished in the concrete of the bench
The water is so clear
The travelers in shadow
A self portrait
A very modern bridge
A pygmy cormorant lifelist bird
The Presidential Residence
"Gallery Centar" is a contemporary art center
Fly the flag proudly
The parks of being a Hilton Gold member is the excutive lounge
We had dinner, breakfast and drinks
Another day comes to a finish
We really liked Podgorica
