Just a leisurely 2km Kotor walk

Today we landed in Kotor, Montenegro. At the Captain’s advice, we set the alarm for 5am for what was supposed to be stunning views. It was really nice but finding out that there is a 5am whilst on holidays was a bit of a shock to the system.

Back in the cabin, the Editor didn't want me to go back to sleep. She was awake and that is how it must be for everyone. 

I can actually get my breakfast now with my eyes closed, but sometimes the scrambled eggs with herbs is with salmon, so eyes wide open it is.

Scrambled eggs, a fried egg, chicken and Cumberland sausage, hash browns, tomatoes and baked beans has been the brekkie of choice. And yes, the plates are quite big.

From here we headed to shore into the Old Town (obviously some marketing guru has been through every port in Europe and told them that "old" is essential for the tourist dollars). I still haven't seen a New Town.

Our first priority was a 2km walk up and down the hill that overlooked the ship. I believe it was another fortress. We didn't know the distance on starting.

Our problem was that the squiggly line the woman at Tourist info drew on the map was too squiggly and the first 20 minutes was consumed in finding the starting point. Past many 🐈 we walked. The 🐈 have free reign of the town as they once saved it from extinction (I won't give away the plot, but it did leave me asking questions). I hope you appreciate my use of the little pics for the first time in the blog's history. What next? Stories that make sense?

Finally we stumbled on some rocky stairs and figured that this must be the place. I would highly recommend you listen to this Talking Heads song.

A short walk upwards and we arrived at a small demountable building where tickets were 15 Euros pp. 

In the middle of the rocky track, they had positioned the most unlikely looking turnstile complete with power cord leading back to the office.

So upwards we climbed, stopping for air at every possible turn. These were the kind of annoying steps that are just too big to climb in one step, so step, shuffle, step it was. Sometimes there were handrails, sometimes just the possibility of falling down the mountain where your only hope of survival is getting caught on the many blackberry bushes that consume Europe.

On and on we climbed, stopped, looked up, saw the top and kept walking. Sometimes it was easier to walk next to the stairs. It was still very much uphill. 

But we made it, mocked the footwear choices of many (sandals and thongs), and I have never been prouder when we passed a woman  in flimsy sandals just at the start  of her walk as we finished, and Annette said very loudly to her "not sure that's the right footwear for this climb".

Sledge of the day. Every port I ask her if she wants to start a fight with the other cruise 🚢. Maybe she is thinking about it.

The walk down was faster and I have a feeling that sore muscles are on the horizon.

Back in the town (obviously old) we looked around the many shops, saw the required quota of holiday churches and headed back for lunch.

Burgers, fries and onion rings were good, minus the fish burger of the editor.

We headed back to have a look at the old monastery (just foundations), found large Pepsi on special for 95 cents and we're back on board.

Despite the rigours of the walk, Garmin demanded my pound of flesh so while the editor will put in what she did(), I ran and did a stretching class.

We then sat on deck and watched the scenery as we departed. Yes, the same scenery we saw at 5am but in reverse. Two small dolphins joined us for some of the trip, which was quite nice for someone who has always wanted to be a marine biologist. I will make sure not to hit any Titleists overboard from deck 10. 

I honestly don't remember dinner. Buffet food is blurring my mind.