The day started with scrambled eggs for breakfast in the apartment in Dubrovnik. The weather had changed and it had started to rain. This seemed like a good time to be getting on the road.
We decided to drive down the coast to have lunch in a restaurant recommended by Stefan's guidebook in Montenegro. This also allowed us to visit another country. The difference in wealth was noticeable as soon we crossed the border. Montenegro has not benefited for foreign tourism as much as Croatia. This is a real shame as the the bay we visited was spectacular. Running for miles in between impressive mountains the view s were spectacular.
We found the restaurant & got inside just before the heavens opened & a hail storm started. The restaurant has a lake outside that quickly flooded over the boardwalk, bridge and crept towards us inside. At one point we briefly lost power. Thankfully everything worked out as the three of us shared a truly fantastic sea bass, that our waiter dissected for us at the table side. Just as our meal came to an end the hail stopped & brighter conditions prevailed as we set off to Sarajevo.
The next few hours were very grim indeed. Google maps had stated that the drive would take no more than three hours from Montenegro. We soon realised as we left the port of Resan & climbed into the first of many many mountains that this may take longer than planned. The mountain road was lacking road for one, as we winded our way round blind corners in search of the peak. It took approximately 2.5hours to reach the border of Bosina, via one wrong turn & a petrol station patrolled by a lame dog.
The border crossing here was as remote as remote could be. As we drove through the border town we hoped our journey would be coming to an end.
This was not to be the case as by nightfall we had only reached a town called Gacko. This meant we once again had to ascend into the mountains, this time in the darkness. This snow covered forrest could have been picturesque had we not been in the car for so long. As more hours rolled by we made it over this mountain range near the town of Faco.
Here we were stopped by Bosnian traffic police who held us for over twenty five minutes explaining through hand signals that we needed snow tyres. They also explained they could overlook this infraction for twenty three euros. As we had no local currency with us they eventually let us continue on towards Sarajevo. Within thirty minutes we found ourselves going up another mountain in the middle of a snow storm. We had to reduce speed to maintain grip & not slide off the precipice. This prolonged our journey massively but meant that we made it of the mountain safely and with nerves slightly less fraid.
We finally made it to Sarajevo at 22:00 over seven hours since leaving Montenegro. Our host had been waiting in the apartment,which we found the walking the snow covered streets, by this time of night though she had returned to her home.
She came down to let us in & cudnt have been nicer making us all tea, & showing us around the very impressive apartment.
We were all exhausted but all starving. We went to the pizza takeout pointed out by our host. The pizzas were delicious & after a beer we were more than keen to put this day behind us.