Crowd and crash

So far, we have been overwhelmed by gorgeous coastal Montenegro. We have only been here one day and it is already worth it.

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Our next destination after Kotor is Budva, the second biggest town in Montenegro and a popular touristic resort. We don’t have any particular interest in visiting this town except for its convenience. It is located between Kotor and Sveti Stefan.

We have been absolutely delighted with Kotor today. Tomorrow we will visit Sveti Stefan, which is only 5kms from Budva. This picturesque tiny island is inaccessible to the public. It was nationalised in the 1950s and the whole thing is now a luxury resort. So, accommodation is a no-no here. Hence, the reasons for sleeping in Budva tonight. This will give us the chance to know another place.

The hostel is 20 walk minutes from the bus station, not very practical, considering that we are leaving early tomorrow, but it is good value though, only €24.

It is so hot. As soon as we settle in and we ask our host where the nearest beach is, put our swimming costumes on and go for a swim. Stupidly, with the rush of getting into the water, we have forgotten to bring the camera, so we can’t show you what the beach is like. The scene is absolutely incredible. The beach is so packed, you have to walk carefully to avoid stepping on somebody’s towel. We struggle to find a small space for us to leave our small  rucksack. Although unlike Gary, I am not that shocked. These are what Mediterranean Spanish beaches are like in Summer. People are so close that it is almost impossible to distinguish between groups. It seems like the entire beach is one whole big family.

In the evening, we went back to the beach before having something to eat. There were still some people on it but it wasn’t as crazy as before.

Budva is a very different place from Kotor. It is hard to believe that they are only 20 kms apart.

The promenade is like one big funfair. Attractions start to get busy. Stands selling fast food, candy, beach accessories and plastic jewellery are widely available.

Tourism seems here to be mainly national, although we have seen many cars from neighbouring countries, especially from Serbia, but also from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and even Poland.

I don’t think we will be eating around here tonight. From the far distance, we see the Old Town. Perhaps we find an affordable, quiet, local restaurant for us there.

There is also karting on the right hand sight. We go to have a look. Four cars are currently running. Two of them by staff members. They are playing with each other, driving fast. They are overtaking each other, running in front of the other, shouting at each other. They are completely oblivious of the other two customers who are driving at their normal pace.  People have gathered to see this stupid race, the guys seem to be pleased of having an audience.

Suddenly, the inevitable has happened. One of guys overtakes the other, losses control and hits one of the customers, a girl, from the back. She obviously didn’t expect this, she can’t control her car and crashes into the barrier. So hard was the impact that she gets lifted up and lands on the steering wheel with her abdomen. The crazy run stops. She manages to stand up but the pain is so intense her legs bend, she is about to fall over. One of the staff member gets there in time to hold her before she passes out.

The other two idiotic, irresponsible, immature guys run to her with some water!!! How about an ambulance?? But do you really expect any thinking from someone who has no brains?

Everyone is to blame here, really, including the managers. Actually, the managers may not even be there. I wouldn’t be surprised if accidents like this happen quite often. There is no security in place in this type of attraction. We did karting once in Hastings a couple of years ago. We were strapped from top to bottom, helmet on. Nothing like that here. Don’t get me wrong, little health and safety was in place in fun fair attractions when I was a child. But countries like UK and Spain have learnt. Countries like Montenegro could simply learn from those countries’ experiences. But then, you have to spend money.

As she hit the inadequate tire wall her body looked like some test crash test dummy. How many tourists take part in this cheap fun. In the UK and Spain it would be £20 for a few minutes. There you get overalls, instructions, helmets. There the personnel are first aid trained, they know what to do if you have an accident. Here you get water and an apology! GDR

I have been thinking about her a good half an hour after leaving that place. I hope she is all right. High impacts like this can turn nasty after a few hours if she has had internal injuries.

But sadly, life goes on. Here we are in the Old Town, looking for a nice restaurant.

Budva’s Old Town looks cute, I bet it is very different in daylight.

However, the crowd is not less than in the beach. The narrow streets are packed with people, wandering at frustratingly slow pace.

Dozens of cafes and pubs playing really loud music take away the magic ambience of the old centre of Budva.

We finally find the Citadel, which is still open. Although there is also a restaurant which you are allowed to enter without paying any entry fees. We go and have a look.

It is quite a posh restaurant with romantic views overlooking the sea. We forget about the affordability condition of our restaurant for tonight and ask for a table for two.

Gary orders  trout topped with melted cheese and chargrilled vegetables.

I go for the sea bream roll stuffed with grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil.

Accompanied by one of the local salads.

All served in funky slate plates. It is all absolutely delicious. The flavours are very delicate and subtlety combined.

There is no full moon tonight. The sea looks scarily dark.

Contrasting with the buzzy, noisy, overcrowded, over lit Budva.

We manage to find a quiet way back along the docks.

We pass by the karting. It is now more popular than ever. Life goes on.

SM