After a relaxing start to the day, some website work and passing time until the heat of the day started to drop, I decided a short circuit via the nearby mountains, the capital city of Cetinje, the plateau, and back down towards the coastline via the extremely twisty mountain road towards the Bay of Kotor was in order.
I removed most of the panniers to make the hill climbing and twisty roads as enjoyable as possible.
From the water at Sveti Stefan you rise very quickly to the edge of the mountains overlooking the coast with rather impressive views.
Views down to Budva
As a reminder to what I had watched in Oludeniz, the steeply rising mountain range creates the perfect conditions for parasailing. There was a constant stream of parasailors dropping down from somewhere above to somewhere on the coast below.
Parasailing again
Parasailing again
Great views alongside great riding
It was a beautiful afternoon and despite the traffic on the roads it was great roads and conditions for riding. As I was having a great time I attached the GoPro HD Hero 2 for a little bit of riding footage. Video found here: (The mountains behind Sveti Stefan - 6/7/2012)
As I had finished climbing to the plateau behind the mountains I rode into Cetinje. Cetinje was a rather small and very quiet town and was in distinct contrast to the coastal towns nearby. I learnt later that Cetinje was previously the Old Royal Capital of Montenegro and still hosts the official residence of the President of Montenegro. There were some grand historic buildings that looked as though could have been deserted. I think in time Cetinje will benefit from careful renovation and redevelopment.
Cetinje - Montenegro's former Capital City
After Cetinje there is another wonderful section of winding road higher up into the Mt Lovcen National Park. Another video from the day can be found here: (The mountains after Cetinje - 6/7/2012)
The scenery once up on the plateaus is wonderful with a great variety of the rocky natural areas and the cultivated farmlands. The plateau is also popular for its local produce. Cured meats and cheeses are displayed along the roadside. Njegusi is well known for such produce.
Local produce
Local produce
Local produce
I purchased the smallest amounts of both cheese and proscuitto in the hope I would have a snack along the way one day soon on my rides (I carried the meat and cheese for a few days and ultimately decided to leave it in the fridge in the hotel in Zabljak - perhaps another day….?)
After passing through the farmland on the plateau the road rather suddenly arrives at the top of the mountain's edge above the Bay of Kotor. There are spectacular views from here of the mountains and the water below.
Bay of Kotor
My recollection is that in very short distance there are around 20 switchbacks dropping down around 800 metres to Kotor.
A little bit of twisty
Bay of Kotor below
Dropping down to Kotor and riding back to Sveti Stefan I was happy that I had ventured out for a little sightseeing recreational ride. It was a very good afternoon.
Back in Sveti Stefan there was time for a swim and a relax by the water's edge again before dinner.
BMW R1200GS Adventure - well not yet - R80GS the original.
While waiting for dinner I again got to chat with Dimitri - we both used the same cafe for its beer, food, internet access and views of the passers by. It was another relatively simple dinner in Sveti Stefan