Today's expedition took us through the breathtaking landscapes of Montenegro. Our journey began nestled high in the mountains in Njegusi, where we were greeted by lush greenery and traditional stone houses. The village is renowned for its smoked ham and cheese, offering us a taste of authentic Montenegrin cuisine.
We then descended towards the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with medieval walls and narrow cobblestone streets, rich history, and architecture. One of the options was to climb the ancient fortress walls, marveling at panoramic views of the bay and its charming, red-roofed houses.
After lunch we ventured to Perast, a picturesque town nestled on the bay's edge. Here, we explored the town's Baroque architecture and visited the famous Our Lady of the Rocks islet, where a stunning church sits atop a man-made island.
As the sun began to set over the Adriatic Sea, we sailed away while enjoying the taste of fresh oysters, Montegrin wines and liqueurs, and the music from our piano player, Gabriel. We all joined in and sang our favorite songs. The serene waters and majestic mountains provided a perfect backdrop for capturing memorable photographs and memories.
9/23/2024
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Sea Cloud
Hvar, Croatia
On the last day of our voyage, we spent the morning on the lovely island of Hvar, known for its fragrant fields of lavender and rosemary. Our walking tour started with the Franciscan monastery, featuring a centuries-old cypress tree and a 17th-century painting of the Last Supper attributed to Matteo Ponzoni. We continued on to tour one of the oldest community theaters in Europe (dating to 1612), the Hvar Arsenal (instrumental in building and repairing Venetian ships), and the town’s stone buildings which often feature the winged lion of St. Mark. This afternoon, after a lunch featuring the famous Sea Cloud pasta wheel, we enjoyed a lecture by cultural specialist Zrinka Šapro on the history of Croatia, focusing on the 20th century. Hearing about the rule of Josip Broz Tito and the wars of the 1990s from someone with personal experience was a particularly fitting conclusion to our tour of this region so rich in history. Our final evening aboard included a cocktail hour and the guest slide show on the lido deck, followed by the captain’s farewell dinner in Sea Cloud’s elegant dining room, after which we bid our travel companions and newfound friends a fond farewell.
