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Published: December 3rd 2007
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We managed to drag ourselves out of bed this morning only with the promise of our included breakfast. Despite knowing full well that hotel breakfast are always disappointing we still had high hopes. We got a cup of tea and an omlette that was swimming in grease. I couldn't stomach mine so early in the morning so Rob had mine as well. We sat and waited for the plate of cheese/meat to come that we had seen other people eating but it never did. We eventually figured out that it was either or but not both. Utterly disappointed we left to gather our things.
We checked out, paid and had our passports returned. (they are the only place that have kept our passports the entire time we've been traveling.) we asked if we could leave our bags anywhere and he pointed upstairs. He phoned an assistant to come and serve us but we didn't wait, we dumped our bags and left.
We walked to the bus stop and found that the next bus wasn't for over an hour. We believed old Bar to only be approximately 4km away so we decided to walk it. We walked to the edge
of town until we reached a bridge that was under construction. We walked underneath it and crossed the railway tracks and then were face to face with some considerably large mountains.
4km really anything worth a second thought until those 4km appear as though they have nowhere to go except up the a big stony mountain and then you have to consider how Worth it the walk is. We knew we had to set off for Kotor early afternoon otherwise finding accommodation would be difficult and yet our expensive stay in Bar would be wasted without seeing Stari Bar. (old town) We argued for a bit whilst continuing our arduous walk until we rounded the corner and it was there in front of us. I say in front of us but it was actually around another bend and up another hill.
Stari Bar is lovely to look at from a distance and pleasant to walk around. 1€ each to get in was a bargain for the freedom to walk anywhere, climb anything and investigate any and everything within the city walls. There were no signs with a big list of don'ts and we were pretty much alone. We
even left our coats hanging over a railing whilst we looked around.
The walk back to the hotel was a lot less strenuous and therefore quicker. We nipped to the tourist information and found there to be a bus to Kotor in half an hour. We ran to our hotel to pick up the bags but not before stopping to grab some Fornetti first.
When we had left our bags at the hotel we didn't bother to wait for someone to help us. Primarily because we didn't have time to waste but partly because we thought it would be the type of place to charge us for the service. On our return we both nipped to the toilet, grabbed our bags and left before anyone could stop us (much to the confusion of the guy at reception.)
We got to the bus stop with five minutes to spare. In a well practised manner we dropped our bags on the floor and sat on them whilst re-checking the guidebook. Whilst were sitting there minding our own business a rude and interfering taxi driver tried to scam us. He told us that the bus we were waiting for wasn't coming
and that the next one wasn't for hours. We chose to ignore him but he insisted on pestering us until the bus actually arrived.
The bus to Kotor was little problem and the girl sitting next to us ensured that we got off at the correct stop. Tourist information gave us a map and pointed us in the right direction to find private rooms or sobe. We had barely left the station when a guy approached us asking if wanted accommodation. Rob moved into our usual mode of ignoring everyone who tries to sell us something, however at least I was alert. The offer was €20 for a room with its own bathroom and kitchen, situated within the walls of old town. Marco (the owner) took us around old town for a bit showing us the best patisery, restaurant, main square etc. Once he left we had a look around ourselves.
Kotor feels like it belongs in a Dickens novel with its cobbled streets, dark narrow alley ways and houses towering above your head. At night only some of the alleyways are lit and shadows prevent you from knowing whether you are in a dead end until you
walk to the end.
We found a restaurant called The Pasteria", which seemed to be the nicest of a limited selection. It was eight o clock, Friday night and yet all the restaurants were empty. We had a pleasant meal and shared a scrumptious salad. It was a fairly pricey restaurant so we opted to buy our pudding from the recommended patisery. We got a cherry strudel thing which is apparently a specialty of the region.
Back at our sobe it was freezing. We discovered that there was a little window open which we hastily shut. Rob had the ingenious idea if turning on the hobs in the vain attempt to warm the room a little. We sat in bed and read till our fingers were numb then huddled under the covers and tried to sleep. We had a few extra blankets and ever so resourceful Rob had filled his flask with boiling water in the imitation of a hot water bottle. Despite this it took a long time to fall asleep and we have learnt a valuable lesson; always check that rooms have heating.
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kate
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learning lessons
Hello So the old saying 'You don't get something for nothing' was true in the case of the 'cheap' hotel. Another lesson taken on board. What an education you are getting. love mum xx