The Three Baird's Do Montenegro 😊

So let's take a trip out, yeah? Montenegro is a rich county in terms of history, so we book a trip to Boka Bay. It's not far, but has some great sights and will allow us to see more than just our hotel.  What feels like a luxurious minibus (eg fake leather seats, privacy glass and air con) takes us back past the airport, through the mountains and into Boka Bay. First off is a short boat trip to Our Lady Island, at least I think that's what it's called. Lovely little island, the size of a football pitch or two.  We walk around and listen to the stories of sunken ships and look at artifacts that date back hundreds of years. There's history everywhere, it's great to have a guide talk to us as we walk. There's the usual pushing in of course.  Back on the boat and we head into the main Bay, past the enormous ships. Enormous as in the biggest we've ever seen. 16 decks and 90,000 tonnes of Cunard's finest, the Queen Victoria. It dominates the landscape unti...

They don't get much bigger than this. Moving from 12 to 13 is a milestone. We reserve our sun beds for the first time, with strategically placed towels and head for breakfast. Some call it all inclusive, others all you can eat. Either way, it's fresh, plentiful and tasty.  Next stop, cats.  Then back up to our room for presents, cards and well wishes. All presents survived the journey intact and are received so gratefully by Daisy, aged 13.  Next up, the pool for some getting wet and keeping cool. The sunbeds have sunroofs and they are revolutionary for us lighter skinned tourists. But the pool is really where it's at, so we swim, sink, snorkel. Pancakes before lunch are a must.  Then a short stroll to the beach for some salty water and more swimming jinx. We spot fish, a Mummy and Puddy, so very cute. Lots of tiny stones are pretty on the sea bed.  Back up to the pool to wash off the salty water and lie down for a bit. Relaxing is often misunderstood as an easy...

The first full day. What to do? We decide a trip into town would be good. There's plenty of history here, going back over 2,000 years, so we take a trip to Budva Old Town. Not sure if there's a New Town.  I say a trip, gentle stroll is more the thing. Apparently it's easy, left out of the hotel, find the tunnel and that's pretty much it. Delighted to say that was exactly the case too. If only all things were as easy as this.  Rachael and Daisy suggest we wear swimmers for the day. I laugh at having potential swimming opportunities in an old town.  20 minutes down the road and we're all in the sea. A swimming opportunity in the old town, well almost, but who's counting. The water is lovely and even a pair of trainers won't stop these feet.  Gentle meander is the pace and soon we're in town, via a few cats along the way. Holiday cats, love that.  Old town is incredibly historic and photo worthy, lots of tourists along the way and shops to match. We stop fo...

 The joy sets in early.  First flight out of Gatwick to Montenegro is 0600 and we'll be on it.  So far so dandy.  But that means being there for 0400. Which means leaving home at 0230. Which means getting up at 0145.  That sounds so very early that I don't know if it's late or early.  But we manage it and are on our way to the airport in the dark, destination Tivat, Montenegro. Park the car and into the airport, join the queue for a Wetherspoons breakfast. Rachael rightly points out it's too long and we'll miss the flight. A brief weigh up of how much we like a Wetherspoons breakfast and duly go somewhere else with less queuey gubbins.  Three hour flight later (well maybe 2 hour 20) and we're there. Hop off the plane and hit with that holiday heat, love that.  Met at the airport by an unexpected cab, with our names on a piece of paper. Secretly always wanted that. Forty five minutes later and we're at the Iberostar Bellevue hotel.  Getting up...