Montenegro – Budva 4/8/16 – 7/8/16

Yet another great bus journey today, and this one only took 1 hour. I’ve got to say the coastal road along Montenegro is stunning with views to die for. If your travelling northbound on this road, I suggest you sit on the left side of the bus, and keep those cameras ready, you won’t be disappointed.
We’re staying at Apartments Stanivukovic, a great place which is only 200 meters away from everything – one of the many beaches, the old town, the new town, restaurants and bars. We’re in a room on the top floor, (3rd floor), with views out across the sea and the old town.
Our first venture out we went into the new town, shops and restaurants everywhere, there’s even shopping malls. Shopping done, and we even had our haircut, we then headed for the old town. This is just as remarkable as the old town in Ulcinj, where all buildings have been restored to their own originality yet to a very high specification. Unlike Ulcinj, the old town here is packed with restaurants and shops, again to the highest standards. It’s streets are narrow, all made from stone, with buildings over hanging the streets. Each with tiny wooden shutters and magnificent flora of every colour dangling from them. There are lots of streets within its walls, all very narrow, cobbled and with no vehicle access. Its perfect for wondering around with lots of shade from the blistering heat of the midday sun. What with all the shopping done we headed for the port, and came across its moored boats. Boats is an understatement as the port was full of luxury ocean going yachts. Again there are plenty of bars in the port, the first we frequented was called “The Duckley, a lavish, luxurious yacht Club, with sunbeds, tables/chairs and couches, all outdoors. It even had its own DJ playing tunes during the day. What a great place to sit, chill out and watch the trend setters of Budva go about their business, all with a cold refreshing cocktail in your hand. The gravel beach, it’s promenade and it’s row of restaurants and bars are of high Calibre, people walking around in their “Sunday best” and of course the bikini brigade along with the budgie smuggling crew all in their designer swim wear. The whole place looks remarkably like that of St Trope, Miami or Los Angeles, very upper class for the rich and famous. We even spotted 4 delightful ladies – combined age approx 400, sat having lunch on the beach front. All as tanned as they come, full makeup, in their bikinis having the time of their lives, laughing etc. We weren’t sure if they were The Golden Girls or a glimpse of the future Sex and the City.
We then ventured along the promenade, again views to die for across the Adriatic Sea, and restaurants as far as the eye can see. We came across Budva’s night life street, full of funky, trendy bars and clubs. All had outdoor seating, dance floors, hugs bars, each with its own theme. One had a replica of the Eifel Tower in the middle of its dance floor which also had a giant glitter ball hanging from its centre, another was decked out like a pirate ship, the list goes on. Budva even has its own fair ground complete with dodgem cars, a massive spinning thing that throws you a hundred meters into the sky, etc etc. Cant wait till nightfall to see them all in their glory.
Great night out wondering around the pub/clubs scene. I know it’s August but this place is packed. We strolled along the prom again and found ourselves going back into the old town where we came across bar Cantina – right at the base of the wall inside the old town. The wall is around 6 meters tall and it shone a red colour from the lights facing it. It was pretty cool, and so were their tequilas. A DJ was playing so quite a good atmosphere and a band was playing later. Then we headed to where the clubs were, couldn’t miss them with the light show each was producing from the many strobe lights disappearing into the night sky. Also the music was deafening, as I said earlier all clubs are outdoor venues, 5 or 6 next to each other all playing different music. We didn’t venture in any as the crowds were overflowing onto the pavements. 2 of them had “special” DJ playing so we’re even more packed.
Up early the next day as we had bought tickets for an activity today. Walked to the travel agents and got picked up. Half an hour later at the edge of town we met our instructors who both spoke very good English and were very impressed with our travels. Next they packed a separate car and drove us high into the mountain. Within 5 minutes we were strapped in and……………jumped off the edge as we were PARAGLIDING. Great fun, adrenaline pumping, and views, oh those views will stay embedded in our memories for all of eternity. Wonderful, spectacular, amazing, these words are only the tip of the iceberg on how to describe the sheer magnitude of what we were feeling. We appeared to be up in the air for ages, one minute dropping gradually flying like a bird, the next swirling around doing 360’ turns as we sped over the road below us, the next shooting higher and higher as our parachutes got a draft of the warm air rocketing us up almost into orbit. We could see for miles, and I reckon we could even see Albania again we were that high. The vast bay of Budva below us, the old town, the new, the port, the many beaches everything all on display and we were able to capture every minute of it. Then our instructors said “lean left”, then “lean right”, on each call our parachutes twisted and turned completing the greatest fear factor emotions we have ever been through, watching Tina’s aero dynamics it looked like she almost went upside down. WOW, WOW and WOW, it certainly was the best activity I have EVER done in my life, what a buzz, what a feeling. Thank you so much for an awe inspiring adrenaline rush. Not sure how we could ever match this activity as we go further around the world…….but we will try.
Budva is a very beautiful place, trendy and defiantly for the “go getters”. It’s where it’s all happening – the beaches, marina, old town all for the taking. This place is definitely for the young and the young at heart. It cannot be missed if your traveling through Montenegro.