Well, I’ve officially traded the cobbled charm of Dubrovnik for Podgorica — the capital of Montenegro — and I have to admit, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. Two full days in and my lungs are reacquainting themselves with the toxic clouds of cigarette smoke, and let’s just say the smiles aren’t as freely given as the bills are collected.
On the bus ride over, I chatted with a lovely Croatian doctor whose father is Montenegrin. She confessed that she prefers living inland here because it’s more affordable but agreed that, well… warmth isn’t exactly Montenegro’s national export.
Tourism in Podgorica seems to be a game of hit and miss — my first “must-see” attraction was (wait for it)… a tree. But not just any tree — this one becomes covered in tiny mushrooms during the right season. Luckily for me, a few stubborn fungi were still hanging on, saving me from complete anticlimax.
Today I happily hopped back on my bike, heading for Virpazar, fully aware that the rain clouds might catch up with me. Eighteen kilometres in, they did — in spectacular fashion. I surrendered to the storm, pedalled back a few kilometres, and caught the train instead.
My favourite encounter of the day? A man at a fruit stall trying to help me find the station using a translator app… until his wife (or boss!) swooped in mid-sentence, scolding him so fiercely he backed away with a sheepish, “Sorry, no help.” Needless to say, I left fruitless — and slightly stunned.
Tomorrow’s forecast looks sunny though, and I’m thrilled to be back on the bike where I belong — rain or shine, grumpy or gracious, it’s all part of the adventure. 🌦️