This post sees us leave Kosovo (Country 5) and re-enter Montenegro (Country 2) for the second time to visit the towns of Berane and Kolusin in the northern part of the country before returning to the Capital Podgorica to return our Skoda Fabia and reclaim our Peugot 308 SW Wagon.
The drive from Peje in Kosovo to Berane in Montenegro was very scenic, full of mountains and valleys. The White Drin Waterfall is only 11km from Peje and 25m high making it the second largest in Kosovo. There is plenty of water and it is freezing and very drinkable. There is a resort spa located there making it perfect for conventions and a weekend getaway for the locals.
After the waterfall we ascend up to 1750m along very windy roads to pass into Montenegro. The border controls have a no man’s land nearly 8km long with several farm houses in between leaving us wondering what their address is ??? The Montenegrin border entry was the funniest so far. I was wearing just my cozzies having dipped into the waterfall. After our passports were stamped the police officer pulled us over to check our boot (first ever check) and asked me to put on a top. I put on my singlet inside the car and then stepped out in my budgies – the officer laughed – he did not expect it !!!
We had booked a house in Berane (Pop 11,073, Elev 663m, Founded 1219) but Google maps sent us to a gravel road with a 10% incline – forget it – we could not make it up. We returned to town and phoned the owner and he sent his brother to take us up using another road – success – after one hour of waiting for the brother we finally arrived – a cute triangular Hansel & Gretel ski house with terrific views of Berane. We had another terrific Balkan Grill of every meat imaginable, which we did take-away style since a storm was brewing. That evening it rained for only the second time in 35 days. As the rain fell our water supply inside stopped – the pump had probably short-circuited since we were out in the bush and relying on rainwater tanks. Our sleep made up for it. Given the rain and elevation we slept like babies in the silence of our house.
Kosovo was indeed an interesting experience since it highlighted the plight of ordinary people in a terrible conflict. We saw this in the 21min short film SHOK released in 2015 and nominated for an Academy Award.
Enjoy our entry back into magical Montenegro...
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