Navionics needs to update their maps – hasn’t been Yugoslavia in decades….

Croatia was wonderful, some of the easiest sailing we’ve done in years, but it was time to move on. We got up at the crack of dawn and cleared out of Dubrovnik with no fuss. We were a little apprehensive, as we had not been able to check in with port police further north, and had been warned that we might be fined for this. Trip dressed his best (ok shoes, brushed hair, shirt with a collar and nice shorts) and we had no issues. I was shocked to see another boat pull up alongside (also to clear out) and the skipper and crew get off in bare feet to manage formalities – I think there’s a reason some authorities have issues with yachties when the yachties don’t show respect.

Austro-Hungarian fortress at the inlet into Montenegro

After all these days of easy sailing, Croatia decided to hand us a test on the way out. Our final night the winds had shifted from the SE to the NW. This would be favorable for us sailing south. However, an overnight storm stirred up the water, and what we thought would be smooth sailing were lumpy, bumpy big seas with a short period. The wind had come up stronger than forecast, and the sail was like riding a bucking bronco. Exciting for us, as everything was in our favor and we made it into Montenegro hours before we were expected, but glad it was only a day sail as those conditions can wear on the crew.

We came straight into Porto Montenegro with mixed results. After accepting ‘help’ from a marinero who didn’t pull the lines fast enough, we managed to smash the dinghy into the underside of concrete lip on the dock and do some damage. On the up side, we were able to stay on the dock there for a couple of hours, which allowed us to top off water tanks, do a load of laundry, take shore showers, and even pop over to a marina-sponsored BBQ which allowed us to catch up with friends that were still in Tivat.

It was a leisurely week in Montenegro. We dropped the anchor right in front of the Tivat promenade and enjoyed the show of all the local tour boats as well as a very talented water-jet-pack rider.

Peja and Trip

It was also time to catch up with friends. We were lucky to have enough time to see people en masse (BBQ, curry night), as well as catch up more personally one on one. We even managed to get in one last darts night.

Trip, Nicole, and Ray (the Big winner!)

And of course, more boat projects – namely dinghy fiberglass repair to the new crack.

And then it was time to head south.