Steve suntans in the rain. Notice the dark sky. Hey, you don't need sunscreen
Steve said, “I think I am going to go for a swim.” “I’ll come along” I invite myself. So off we go to find some water to swim in in Kotor. It is not known for its beaches but that doesn’t matter. You don’t have to be overrun with tourists that way. So off we go to find a place to swim in the beautiful Kotor Bay – not a fjord – but a submerged river. Lightly salted! Some local Kotorans were swimming as well. So we set up our towels and lay down. Sure it was a little cloudy, but all the better, you don’t really need sunscreen. Suddenly it starts raining, but the seasoned Aussie guy and Canadian girl stubbornly remained laying on the beach, sunglasses on. The locals ran for cover. We remained however laughing hysterically at the inanity of if all. Finally we did succumb and took cover and as we did the rain lightened up and stopped. So back to the beach. Guess you had to be there, but it was pretty funny.
A restaurant within and just near the North Gate of the old city
Later, after a skillfully put together dinner, I went for a walk through the old city to find interesting photographs with all its character and nuances. There are parts of the city that are very old. There are parts that are a mystery to me since they are ruins without plaques or any indication of what happened. I know a significant part of the city was damaged during the earthquate in 1979.
The shell of what looks like an old church near the south gate
It was settled in ancient roman times and fortified in the middle ages. During many different ownerships and plunderings it finally fell under Venetian domination from 1420 for the next four centuries which gives the town that you see today its distinctive architecture. It is probably why it reminds me in part of Napflio in Greece since it too was under Venetian domination. Regardless, it is a nifty and beautiful old town and if you listen closely you can hear the voices of the past as you walk around and discover its secrets.
Church of St. Luke built in 1195
It was occupied by Italy during the second world war although after 1918 it became part of Yugoslavia. As it started without any town planning, it resulted in may oddly shaped buildings and narrow alley ways, town squares which lead to more interesting buildings and sites. That is the beauty of it. You can wonder for awhile to try and discover all the twists and turns and the secret corridors and alcoves. The other nice things is that there are no cars, so it is filled just with the sounds of people going about their day, having coffee, and meeting up.
Young adults play volley ball over a string of cloth in one of the corridors in old Kotor
As I have mentioned, I love Kotor as much as I have loved other cities that have a similar vibe like Napflio, Naxos and Chester. The only downside is that now that cruise ships make it as one of their daily destinations, it can get overrun during the day with ship tourists doing the “been there seen that” thing. Can’t be helped. But at least by night fall, it falls back to its regular self.
Tunnels and doorways
The view from my hostel window at midnight