4 Jul 2014 Montenegro

Carol

A word about the wash last night. Have found that hiking poles make the perfect place to hang wet laundry. With windows open, dried like a charm.

Interesting fact. There is a detergent called Arf. Not made in Iran.

So much to choose from at buffet breakfast, but muesli, yogurt and fresh fruit *bananas* *apricots* and tea most tempting. Still a question as to where all the piggies are raised. We see cows, goats, sheep and beautiful horses, but nowhere is the source of pork found.

We are in Durmitor National Park, which takes up a large swath of Montenegro up to the Albania border. According to our guide, the country has 2 large parks and once thought to position itself as the eco country. Now a mix of eco sites and just regular stuff. According to our local guide, people here have a reputation of being lazy, working enuf to earn what they need and then just chilling (this from a Bosnian).

Anyway, we drive 30 minutes and start hiking above the treeline. Large elevation gain in a short distance. We self divide into 2 groups to reach the spectacular overlook. 360 degree view, mountains all around. This is true Alpine country. Crystal blue sky, important to drink our water and protect from the sun. We take an hour break for lunch *huge sandwiches of meat, cheese, egg* as the strong ones head on. Lots of time to photograph flowers.

Even the group that was headed to the second peak turns back before reaching it. Our group headed down before them. Slow and steady to reach the bus. Carol, although slow, made the trip down without a break.

At the bottom, we walked through a herd of mildly interested cows. Then, a Slovenian couple came by on bicycles, headed to southern Turkey. The guy said that they were each carrying 50 kg of weight in their 5 paniers. A NZ young woman came by in the opposite direction, Solo, she is spending several months biking around southern Europe. Ah, youth and sunscreen.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a tiny eatery and drinkery. The guy makes all kinds of homemade grappa. Sampled and bought some.

Wandering town before heading back to the hotel for dinner. Zabljack is a bit like Queensland or Aspen, a place for outdoor enthusiasts. Evidently, a lot of Russian money flowed into here. Hotels, 2nd homes, eco camps built. Some successful, some half built.

In honor of July 4th, one of the people in our group is wearing flag earrings. And so it goes.