Blogs from Podgorica, Montenegro, Europe

It was with Fiona and Dave’s help that we toured Montenegro. Campsites as we know them are not plentiful here so it was great to have the advice. We called in to a site called Etno Selo this is to the North of Montenegro, as a stop off on the way to doing some rafting in the gorgeous clear blue waters that wind their way through the Montenegrin mountains. The site was well advertised with markers, well in advance along the road. When we arrived we couldn’t really make out what we were seeing. There weren’t any tents, campers. Caravans or Motor homes, there were a few scattered small huts, and an amazingly out of place Disneyland play park with a few rabbits, quails and a Hedgehog! But what astounded us was the amount of pre ... read more

It wasn't until about 2 weeks in that I realized that something was missing: American fast food chains. I kid you not -- this is actually quite unusual, and consequently slightly disturbing. Even in Kuwait, I clapped eyes on a slew of American-based food joints: Applebee's, Chili's, TGI Friday's, and lots and lots of fried chicken. But here, none of that. Kaput. Zilch. Nada. Pick your language. Since the golden arches managed to extend its tentacles to as far as the Middle and the Far Easts, I naturally came to expect to see the same, here in Montenegro. Well, other than the weighty presence of burger joints and pizzerias (the latter which I suspect is a consequence of the Italian influence here), the American touch doesn't seem to be felt here. Kind of refreshing, but very ... read more