I’m pretty sure my entire psyche was transformed a year ago today in Montenegro. I am a different person now.

A little back story first… when I first heard about this trip, I had never heard of the country Montenegro. But as I learned more and researched, it was the port I was looking forward to the most. I had this strange pull toward it, as if my soul recognized that my life was about to change because of it.

Somewhere along the way, I had heard that waking up early to watch the ship come into port was a must-do. The Bay of Kotor gets incredibly narrow (often compared to the Norwegian fjords) and because of that, a local captain must board the ship and bring it into the bay.

So our day started before the sun was up and I’m so glad we prioritized it! We were in the right place at the right time because not only were we able to watch the sun come up and illuminate the incredible scenery, we caught the pilot captain hopping on board while we moved into the bay.

A few people watched with us but mostly it was quiet and peaceful. We had breakfast with 360 views and I was so excited to get our day started.

We went on another excursion today. Our tour bus went up a road called the Serpentine because it has 25 switchbacks up a mountain on a road that MAYBE fits 1.5 cars. It got a little dicey a few times🤣again…European bus drivers are an impressive group of people.

At the top of the mountain we had the most incredible view of the Bay of Kotor (that’s our ship in the middle) and the Adriatic Sea beyond. You guys I can’t begin to explain to you how majestic this country is. And I’d like to remind you that I lived in Colorado for 9 years so I’ve seen impressive sights before. Montenegro was other worldly. 

We visited a couple villages, ate lunch at the cutest little cafe where they had prosciutto and cheese sandwiches ready for us and did a little shopping. I bought my mom a handmade table runner from one of the local vendors. In Centinje, we bought earrings for myself and a pair for our daughter, a necklace in the shape of Montenegro and roamed around visiting little chapels and a local monastery. 

When the bus returned to Kotor, we very briefly checked out the old town before we had to be back on the ship and I had my first gelato ever (I know I know lol)

After our return, we spent time reading on the top deck taking it all in. I milked it for as long as I could. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave…as the ship went back through the bay, I wanted to soak as much of it in with my own two eyes as I could. I felt physically pained walking to our room to get ready for dinner.

I’ll never forget snapping this picture as I watched the sun set that night. It was this visceral knowing that I had to see more of the world with my family. It’s so dramatic you guys, I know, but it felt like I had become a better person that day on a cellular level that day. 

I so badly needed more time in Montenegro. I cannot believe that places like this exist on Earth and I had the privilege of experiencing it.

It was a fairytale. And I can’t wait to go back on points & miles.