Kotorfjord, Montenegro

The day began with the Panorama steaming into the entrance of Kotorfjord. It was quite the dramatic change from the port of Durres in Albania the day prior. The upper reaches of the peaks near the channel drew closer as the ship proceeded into the channel. Just after our wakeup call the Captain sailed us around a picturesque church built on a manmade island called Gospa od Skrpjela, or the Lady of the Rock Island. The island was created when a statue of the Virgin Mary was found floating in the water after a great maritime accident. It was formed over a period of about 550 years, by the local residents, dropping stones over an underwater rock or reef. They added to it by sinking captured ships over the spot as well. We circled the island and gave a ceremonial blast of the ships whistle to give tribute to the church.

Shortly after circling Gospa we docked in Kotor just opposite of the walls of the town which fortified it in the 18th century. From the pier there is nowhere to look but up, with the walls of the fjord reaching to 3,000 feet. By the time we departed the ship for our morning’s excursion the clouds began to let in some sun and the winds started to calm in the area. Our first stop was the town of Perast and a short ferry ride over to the Gospa, the same church that we had circled with the ship in the morning. The church is dedicated to the maritime traditions of the area and our local guides explained many of the votive offerings in the church that sailors had brought to the island over the years. After returning to Perast we had time to wander this seaside village and also a chance to visit the local maritime museum. Before lunch we made our way back to the port of Kotor and our guides led us on a walking tour through the labyrinth of streets and alleys inside the walls of this charming town. Just outside of the gate we could observe the rest of the walls as they climbed up the hillside behind the town with a small fortress perched at the top high above this entryway through these 18th century walls.

After lunch and some free time, we boarded our motor coaches and braved a winding road to the upper rim of the fjord. Twenty five switchbacks and many close passages brought us to a stellar view of the fjord and the port below. The road was only wide enough for one vehicle at a time for most of the way up or down so there was much coordination between drivers. At the top we visited the small village of Njegusi and had a chance to sample their locally made cheese, smoked ham and honey wine. After our snack there were many that went in search of orchids in the high meadows of this lovely spot while others went to inspect a local smoke house and aid in the purchase of a fine ham for the ship. We returned to the port of Kotor and the Panorama safely and with new appreciation for the skill of our bus driver. The ship stayed alongside for the evening so we were free to dine ashore or aboard and had time to wander this medieval town one more time before departing for Croatia.