2nd day in Monte...

First impression of Montenegro was rustic. I noticed rather more older vehicles and it appeared even less populated. As you descend from the border and reach sea level, there is a little store named after a lady. There were a number of businesses I had noticed during the day connected with ladies names for example Kate's Camping and others. Seems like the ladies around here are the entrepreneurs. Then there is a sign on the right just before some football fields advertising rooms. I called in and found a room offered at €10. Back in Euros now after spending all the Kuna I had bar 25 which I managed to swap for 3 euros at the border from a fella heading into Croatia.

I went to get some grub from quite a large SM about 2kms further on the lhs. Later returned and asked cheekilly if she would take 8 euros which she did. Then was happy to cook up some pasta for me to which I added some fish, tomato and onion.
There was an Albanian couple in the next room who took of at 0430 next morning and then the rooster had a good session so eventually managed to get back to sleep for a bit. Got away at 0900 and found 3 oranges left for me by the bike. Very kind lady indeed and although the decor was 50's, it was comfy and pleasant surroundings.
Once on my way I took a turn towards the beach and found it in a shambles with litter strewn everywhere. Seems I was on the edge of the resort since it seemed to get tidier as I approached the town proper. I stopped at an estate combined traval agents and am advised that land is between 1 an 2000 euros per M squared and am struggling to remember completed property rate she mentioned but it sounded suprisingly dear. Later I saw quite a large house needing a new roof and most likely a complete refit. It was alongside the sea which looks more like a lake in these parts and the neighbour thought it was being marketed for 400 000 euros. Crazy I thought.

Later just after having some lunch on a well positioned bench overlooking the sea with wild mountain backdrop, I came to the village of Perast. I got chatting to a joung lady (Darnito) who lives in the village. She says its the best place in Monte.. and is clearly very enthusiastic about the pretty town overlooking two tiny Islands which appear to be floating holding a church each. One is visited by travellers and the other, whilst has a grave yard, is now a private dwelling. The blue domed building on one apparently housed a lady who waited for many years for her lover, a sailor who never returned. She is said to have made a tapestry with her own hair which can be seen. To get across the water, one hires a little motorboat as ferry at 4 euros return. I gleaned all of this while chatting with Darnito who was fishing for her expectant cat Tigo who looked ver ywell fed indeed. I watched as Darnito landed a little fish much to Tigo's delight. She pounced
smartly onto this little fish and made short work of it. Seems that was around the tenth caught and its a daily routine. A little while later a joung fellow arrived in the ferry boat with small Tomos outboard engine. He was Darnito's boyfriend who has been living in London FOR 7 years and now studying fine art. They are to drive to London shortly for a 3 month stay so don'r know how Tigo will cope. Back to tinned food I guess.

I reached the town of Kotor later where the MSC cruise ship Opera out of Venice, I had earlier seen approacching port and whose fog horn I had announced her arrrival. Kotor has had lots of different rulers over the centry's and has been invaded many times. High above the walled town, there are fortifications which can be visited by those with the energy. I got up in about 30 minutes of steep climbing. Great view from above making the ship look quite tiny compared to how she had loomed from below. On the way down I met with Renata from Brazil and her ship mate Paojoimno. They were enjoying some shore leave (burning some calories to absorb the plentiful food aboard, pizza being a favourate apparently) from their 8 or 10 hour shifts looking after the mostly elderly passengers cruising.

Weather this afternoon has been a bit wet so I pedalled of once again feeling rather damp and started to look for another room. I arrived at the oposite side of the bay fro Kotor and have found a large apartment which the lady here with her two joung adult sons have let me have for €10. So here I am again well pastared thumbing away and looking forward to the road again tonorrow for what it will bring. Expecting more wet weather according to the lady in a nearby store. Oh well, one of these days I may find a place to pitch my tent again.
Caio for now.
S.