Montenegro

It's been quite the day! 

We left for Montenegro early this morning for a day of exploring.

We traveled in style, here is our Benz: 

Before arriving in Montengro we drove through a town called Konavle.  

If I ever move out of the United States, I will be in Konavle! 

It was agricultural town with the most gorgeous valleys.

We learned about some of their traditions, for example, when a couple is married they plant Cyprus trees, so the area is filled with small Cyprus forests hugging the hillsides. 

Here is just a glimpse... this photo does not do the area justice!

Our first stop in Montenegro was in Perast. 

Perast had quite the view! 

While in Perast we took a taxi boat out to an island right off the coast of the town. 

The island is a man-made structure with a rather interesting story. 

Centuries ago a painting of Mary (which you will see below) was found on a small rock surface in the bay. 

The locals believed this was Mary telling them that this is where she wanted a church to be built.

After sinking ships, and tons of rocks over many generations the church was completed. 

Here is it:

Gorgeous painting line the church walls and ceiling.

Above you can see the photo of the Virgin Mary. 

Sailors leaving the bay would often stop at the church to pray for safe passage on their journeys, and while praying they would make certain promises in exchange for their safety

Upon their return they would give the church (or rather give Mary) tokens of their appreciation. Their gifts of silver and gold plated carvings line the church walls.
The carvings often depicted events or illnesses that the sailors survived with the blessing of Mary.

Below are other photos within the church, and photos from the boat ride over to the island.

 The church we visited is on the right.

 Unfortunately we did not visit the second island, but I believe it also houses a church.

 

 This embroidery was made by a sailor's wife. It took 25 years to complete, and contains both gold and silver thread, along with the the wife's hair.

 The roofing was shaped by human thighs.

The crew.

Emily, Kelsey and Philip.
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Following Perast, we went to Kotor.

 Montenegro's flag.

 Flowers hanging from the roof of an old building. 

 On the left you will see a 12th century church, it was originally Catholic, but has since transitioned into  Serbian Orthodox.

 12th century painting. 

 Interior of the newer Serbian Orthodox Church. 

 Gold man on the entrance to the Catholic Church. 

 Interior of the Catholic Church. 

 Maybe a Pope? 

 The view out of the back window in the Catholic Church. 

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After we left Kotor, we traveled further south to Budva.

In Budva we had lunch, and went to the beach.

Budva was our last stop in Montenegro, and probably the most culturally interesting of our three stops.

While on the beach you will notice a lot less clothing, and nudity is not uncommon. 

There is little to no privacy while changing, so you just have to shimmy you clothes on and off under a towel, which in my case was quite entertaining to a group of onlookers. 

Oh well! It was interesting, and certainly part of the experience! 

We've grown more careful of sea urchins, because two of my classmates have already stepped on them. 

I am praying I have better luck than they did. 

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The rides here are fairly difficult for people with motion sickness, so we've been going though mass amounts of Dramamine. 

I rested most of the way home, but I managed to see the Old City as we entered Dubrovnik.

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A siesta was absolutely necessary for most of us when we arrived at our apartments.

Following the siesta, we went to dinner down by the beach. 

I had carbonara pasta and red wine... yum! 

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It's now nearly 1:00am here, so I am off to bed! 

Goodnight! : )