Recently, I was given the opportunity to tour the entire country of Montenegro with my 9th grade class. It was absolutely amazing! We went to the northern and southern parts of the country and saw many different geographical regions, as well as Montenegro’s famous cities.
We started in one of Montenegro’s northern cities, Zabljak, and made that our base for the first two nights. It was so cold there that one night I even slept with my jacket on! However, the lush green-brown, rocky mountains were so awe-inspiring that the cold barely mattered. While there, we traveled to Pljevlja and several other towns in Northern Montenegro. We also visited several monasteries (and for the life of me I can’t remember their names so don’t ask), saw Tara Canyon, and took a couple journeys to different lakes. My favorite lake was Crnoj Jezero (the Black Lake.) The nature was absolutely beautiful. The lake was a beautiful turquoise color, contrasted by the high, stark mountains. but against the sun and under the mountain shadow it did look black.
On the third day, we left Zabljak and headed south. Although the mountains were still there, the scenery gradually gave way to more grasses and flat land. On our way south, we stopped at Niksich, Montenegro’s second largest town. Everyone shopped here for souvenirs and snacks to keep our growing teenage selves from “starving.” After Niksich, we drove on. There, I noted a stark change in the scenery. Mountains were still visible, but instead of a valley now, there was the sapphire-colored Adriatic Sea. On the edge of the sea lay a beautiful town called Kotor. While there, my friends and I explored the old city, which was full of beautiful stone buildings and surrounded by a stone fort. After Kotor, we headed to our hotel in the seaside town of Bechici, where we stayed for two nights.
In Bechichi, we were literally right by the sea. We played by the beach (no, we are not too old to play) and swam in the cool aquamarine water. It was nice to relax and just enjoy the beauty of Montenegro.
On our fifth and final day, we traveled to Ulcinj. There, my mischievous friends and I decided to take off our shoes and run into the cold sea water. For the rest of our trip, we walked everywhere with sand in our shoes! After we visited Bar and Budva, we finally turned back toward Podgorica. It was a wonderful trip. I saw so many beautiful wonders here in Montenegro. I will always love this country, this Land of the Black Mountain.
We hope you never, ever, become too old to play, darling…it is good for you! Extremely well written, Miss Hannah. We are so pleased that you had the opportunity to explore such a beautiful country. When you are an old lady like me you will look back on this experience and talk about it with your grandchildren. LOL…who knows it may become a “family” Hannah legend! It was so good to talk with you yesterday and to see you, too! Perhaps I will call you “Radiant” from now on. Thank you for your efforts in keeping those who love you up to date in your new life, sweetheart. We certainly do appreciate it. Always in love…always prayerful. P.S. Your picture is AMAZING!
Thank you! The picture was taken a Crnoj Jezero (Black Lake) in northern Montenegro near Zabljak. I like it because its black mountains and black lake set against the sun.
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Thanks for sharing your adventure. It sounds like you had a wonderful experience and I am so happy you are enjoying Montenegro. Please keep posting. I like to read about what you all are experiencing in this new chapter of your lives. Love you very much!!!
Aunt Kathy
I will definitely keep posting. You need to come see us and this beautiful country! Love you Aunt Kathy!
Hi Hannah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now about the snacks, do they have any american snacks that I would like over there? Like Lays chips, or Twinkies, or even Junior mints??????????????????????????? I would like to know if I have to bring my own snacks, if I ever visit you. Now about playing, I agree!!!!!!!!!! You are never to old to have a good time!!!!!!!!!!!! Hay, now that i am 15, I was thinking about getting a Facebook so that we can video chat from my laptop. Would you please get one too???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Then we can chat for “real”, and then our chats can be semi private unlike this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please think about it!!!!!!!!!!
Your BFF from america,
Claire S.
They have potato chips, but that’s about the only snack they have from America. But they do have amazing food. Yes, I am getting Facebook. It should be up by today or tomorrow! By the way, Happy Late B-Day! I didn’t have your email or Skype so I couldn’t tell you that on your Birthday.
Hannah, that sounds just amazing–I can compare notes on a map and imagine what you saw, but how stupendously awesome it must be to actually **behold** the Adriatic Sea! Jealous a little bit! Thanks for sharing, sweetie!
You should actually see the Adriatic. It is just beautiful! The most beautiful sea I have ever seen. By the way, I must thank you for coaching me on how to sing. One time I just started singing a random song cause I was bored and everyone noticed and now they all are asking me to sing for them!
HANNAH!! once again all your stories amaze me, i hope we can visit you next year, since the theatre owns us right now. PS let me know if you want me to mail you guys the DVD of willy wonka jr. I’ll have to ask my mom, but i wanted to ask you first. Loved your story and love you my second family, hugs and kisses from the theatre. Love Briee
Oh my word, YESSSS!!!!!!! If it’s possible, I would LOVE to see the Wonka DVD!
Hannah, does your Facebook have a picture of a river on it????????????? And does your profile picture have you in it, but in the distance?????????? If yes then I sent you a friend request.