Today we headed for Montenegro, our cunning plan was to head out on the main roads so we could get there in good time to relax. That is where we went wrong!

Finding the right road

We headed out from Konjic diligently following the signs to Nevesinje. Within a few miles the signs became vague and then non-existent. We were planning to get most of the way through Montenegro in order to get in to Albania ASAP. We had planned to spend more time in Albania as it was somewhere we had never been.

Round about when we got to Glavatičevo some 20 km after we started we took the first wrong turning. We passed a town name which we found on the map, Ladanica. This had a nice looking Cafe Restaurant so we stopped to have a coffee and get our bearings, apparently we should have gone right at the bridge. Which was a dirt track indicating a place we could not find on the map. Sceptical I asked someone passing, they confirmed we should have gone up there via, some other towns… Not shown on the map!

This was not the main road we had hoped to be on. Still doubtful we tracked back to some shops up the road and asked some ladies.

The ladies eventually concluded we should follow them, it would be easier. These ladies drove an Audi with a German plate… What could possibly go wrong!

They took us up the dirt track, after about 2 km, they pulled into a drive. We concluded this was there place. Handed us a hand drawn map, and said just keep going and do not turn left. The map showed two town names and a turning. They told us it was 10 km to Nevesinje. We soon realised that they would be able to go no further. We were on our own with a map drawn on a napkin, by strangers we had no way of conversing with. Awesome this should be exciting!

The track continued to degrade, but remained ever present.

We gradually climbed a fairly big mountain side. Emerging in some farm land, by this time we had passed about 10 turnings left. I was starting to loose faith, but kept my resolve – “do not turn left”, what would happen if I did? However eventually we came across a farm, with a driery looking guy sitting outside, he looked a little puzzle to see us, he confirmed we were headed in the right direction.

About 40 minutes later we came across another person, at a small house.

I enquired with the person about out destination, he suggested I need to keep going. As I walked off I became alarmed, by his gestures which he repeated when I looked at him questioningly. He was indicating or seemed to be suggesting it was a long way to Nevesinje!

He did this by drawing his hand down from his chin as if twisting a beard. I think he was saying you’ll have a beard by the time you get there. I laughed worried and told Wendy who looked slightly alarmed.

About 30 minutes later we arrived on tarmac at a junction. That was not so bad. I now drew the conclusion that the last guy had a sense of humour. Funny guy!

We opted to turn right. Headed for Luka. Within 1 km we were on gravel again precisely what we did not expect. We continued at speed but tentatively on the track for about 20 minutes before an old soviet truck approached us thundering. We asked if Nevesinje was the way we were going he indicated we had to turn around. We managed to do this some 500 meters later. We passed the truck again and he moved over to let us pass. We beeped in thanks and joy!

After this we seemed to be on the right track.

Kostanjica, Montenegro

Some two hours later we arrived at the wrong border crossing to Montenegro having been redirected once or twice. We had hoped to cross at Bileća, but had missed the turning ending up crossing in reverse where we entered Bosnia and Herzegovina two years ago at Dolovi.

After the excitement of the day we took the easy option headed for the beach in an area we know to chill for two nights, in Kostanjica.

We arrived at Kostanjica and just relaxed. Phew. What a great but unexpected day. Love it.

Day of Rest

We took it easy the next day, not a lot to say. We woke up late, had a slow breakfast and coffee. Caught up on laundry and swam in the sea. At lunch time we headed back to the campsite to get out the sun and fall asleep in the shade. About 1600 we headed back to the beach for another swim. Life is good.

We chatted with people, our neighbours and had a generally good time.

In the evening we had dinner at a cool restaurant behind the town which was another little paradise set in an old mill. Cassie had loads of fun exploring while we waited for dinner.

Tomorrow we head south, to Albania! Fully rested and happy.