2 Jul 2014 Mike Flies Home//Montenegro (Carol)

Mike

 

Up and on the street by 415.  Take the first city bus to the bus station, thus using up the last of the expensive bus rides.

 

On to the airporter.  To the airport before 530.  Everything goes normally.  We lift off.  We are in Zagreb before 730.  Now comes the wait.  Mike's next flight, to Charles de Gaulle in Paris, is not for 5 hours.  He has no kuna, no euros, and no way to eat.  Finally, he pulls out a credit card to get a sandwich and a drink.

 

The flight to Paris is uneventful, and the quick transfer (1 hr 15 min) takes place.  Mike is on his way home, but this is Charles de Gaulle, and his bags will not get in to Atlanta, until 3 Jul.  At least he kept the camera and the house keys in his pocket.

 

Carol 

A COLD shower. Good for the soul I guess.

Breakfast with omelets made to order. Platters of smoked meat, bologna, kaymak, sliced veggies. Big rolls. Juice. Mud coffee. Afterward, we prepare our lunch sandwiches.

We are awed by a huge daddy longlegs outside the motel door.  It walks up the glass window with ease.

Back into Sutjeska National Park today. That looooong gravel road is just outside our hotel. Still, a lengthy ride to our hike starting spot. We enter into a protected section of the park, past a guardhouse and barrier.

Yesterday's hike went to Lake Donje Bare, Ugljesin Peak and Tovamica Ridge. Today, we do a brief intro walk to see Skakavac Waterfall. Then back on the bus and up to Prijevor to hike down to Lake Trnovacko. Now you have all those names!

After about a half hour walking, we enter Crna Gora (Montenegro). No formalities, just a sign on the trail. Mostly downward, alternating hiking on ridge a deep forest. Flowers of all colors, pines, beech trees. The hiker who injured her wrist yesterday still has her arm in a sling, but makes great time with one pole. Mostly downhill walk, but still rocky and/or muddy in spots.

The lake is heart-shaped, if you use your imagination. The water is cold, with polliwogs and small fish. We are cautioned to cool down before dipping in (2 people do). A farmer has herded his cattle down to drink. Therefore, cow flops and flies. Lunch feels like a feast.

At one point, Carol goes by some trees to "squat." She finds a 20 pfennig KM coin, and gets a glob of sticky tree sap in her hair. Can't remove it.

Slow uphill back to the bus. By the end, solo with our American guide - nice conversation while walking.