QUICK LOOK:
Location: Neighborhood between Centar (City Center) and Gospotina
Main Attractions: Old Town, Pizana Beach
Transportation: Walking
Holidays: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter
KOLLYN + MARK (Part 2)
Day 3 - Today was another late morning. Yesterday's adventures must have worn the girls out because they slept in until 08:00, which is not their usual. We didn't leave our aparment until 15:00 right before it was forecasted to rain. For the next few hours, there was a light drizzle. So, the girls chose to go to the beach before heading to join my sister's shopping ventures. Once we joined my sister, we headed to Old Town to look for a particular souvenir shop that sold a specific cat magnet she liked. In most towns, souvenir shops have the same items. Interestingly enough, we could not find these magnets in any of the other stores. Thankfully, when we started heading toward a restaurant for dinner, we found it! Perfect timing. Then, we headed to Shanghai Asian Food & Sushi per Brad's suggestion. And it was a good one. I hadn't had sushi in a while, so I savored every bite of ahi.
After dinner, the rain started to pour down. We knew it was forecasted to rain all night, but we didn't expect to this degree. So, reminiscent of our last time in Thailand (that's another story), we ran the 11-15 minutes back with our girls to our apartment. We noticed the drainage system is not so widespread in Budva, so we were running through lots of deep puddles. Thankfully, the girls, especially Vienna, enjoyed this rainy adventure. We have noticed more and more the differences between the girls. While Noe enjoyed splashing through the rain silently (but happily) with hands in pocket, Vienna giggled, jumped, and splashed loudly the entire time. While holding Auntie Kollyn's hand, she commented on nearly everything. Sometimes I wish others could see this side of them not because there is anything wrong with their cautious, slow-to-warm side (my mom likes to say they just like to "assess the situation"), but because it's also fun to see their ridiculously zany and spunky side. For now, they show both sides to the people they are closest to (my dad says they are simply "selectively sensitive"); but, one day, they will show their full colorful side to the world. Until then, these other colorful times will make for fun stories. And, with that, day three came to an end.
Day 4 - Late mornings have become a thing this week, apparently. I can't complain. For lunch, the four of us headed to Babaluu's again. Minestrone soup, vegetable omelet, chicken Caesar salad, and fresh-squeezed juice (orange, apple, carrot)—a great lunch. Then, we headed to Old Town again and met with Kollyn and Mark. Thankfully, Mark was feeling much better. So much better that he got two mango smoothies with one whole mango in each from Ice Baby! in Old Town. We knew we would be going back there. But, first, off to watch the roaring waves from the Citadel walls. The girls felt brave and sat atop the walls. It is so amazing seeing how powerful the waves are from above. After some exploring through the surroundings of the Citadel (and chasing pigeons), we headed back to Ice Baby! The smoothies were simply fruit, vegetables, and ice. No added sugar or flavoring. We had to get ourselves one, so Brad ordered a "mixed" smoothie. The shop owner asked if he could make his own mix and, of course, we said yes. It looked like he put orange, pineapple, green apple, and carrots. It. Was. Delicious. Sure, it looks like just another place for tourists to spend their money; but, seriously, it's harder than you think to find smoothies with fresh ingredients and no funny business (added sugar, syrups, ice creams, etc.) and for a good price. We loved it.
After our refreshing snack, we headed to Pizana Beach located adjacent to the currently deserted Budva Diving Center. To cross from the pebbled beach to the rock jetty, you definitely risk getting hit by the waves. Once we all got across fairly dry, the girls found tons of rocky area to practice their newfound passion—rock climbing—where they climbed to the top and got unexpectedly splashed. Apparently, they enjoyed it because they wanted to get splashed again. So, on our way back to Pizana Beach, Brad risked his mostly-dried clothes and shoes (they seem to dry slowly in our apartment) and purposely ran through the splashing waves with each girl. They all definitely got what they asked for. Since Brad and the girls were pretty soaked, we headed back to the apartment to put on dry clothes before reuniting with Kol and Mark at their apartment. For the last night, we went back to the Old Fisherman's Pub (always enjoyable) and said our goodbyes.
As we headed home, it started to rain a little. Vienna asked why it was raining. Brad and I knew it was forecasted to rain that evening, but we all liked to think that the sky was also crying for Kollyn's and Mark's departure. We were sad to see them go, but we were also happy to have had such a wonderful last four days with them. We love you, Auntie Kollyn (@kikothewhale) and Uncle Mark (@itsmarkykenna)!!!
GOODBYE, BUDVA
BUDVA - During our last week in Budva, the town came alive. We were just warming up to Budva while Budva was, literally, warming up. Springtime hit, the sun came out, and it's like the town did a 360. Shops and restaurants were fuller, pathways were busier, and tour buses lined the streets. It was pretty amazing to see Budva's transformation.
We appreciate having arrived in Budva the time we did because it was nice to feel like the town was ours and then to see it come alive as Spring started. Spring is probably the best time to visit because it's warm enough to go to the beaches and swim (if you're brave enough) and more shops and restaurants are open, but the town is still not too crowded. In the summertime, they bring out more water activities. So, I am sure this attracts plenty of visitors and bigger crowds.
Even though we are becoming more comfortable with our stay in Budva, our time in this town has come to an end and earlier than originally planned. We have enjoyed our adventures here, but we feel that three weeks is more than plenty. So, our newest travel venture: BUDAPEST. But, before we head there, let me leave you with some final thoughts:
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This town enjoys a party or, at least, party music. Nearly every restaurant, shop, and market has either electronic/techno music (my friend says its called Turbofolk) playing or covers of popular songs. Even our cab ride over had electronic music playing while the girls were sleeping in the car.
CATS! CATS! CATS! Budva really is the town of cats (we saw them in Kotor, too, but we aren't sure how prevalent they are in other parts of Montenegro). You don't need to go to a cat cafe to play with them; you just go to any cafe or just step outside your door. They own the town. We spoke with a store owner and he said the shop owners take turns feeding them. And plenty of visitors and locals play with them.
Cat houses—in a little field of green, someone built miniature wooden homes for some of the cats to stay out of the rain or the sun. The people here really know how to take care of their cats.
Verde is one of the best local eats in town. Delicious. Inexpensive. Kind-hearted owners. All-around great. Anyone who visits Budva should give it a try.
People in Budva really show love to the children. In shops, grocery stores, and restaurants, the girls would get kisses blown to them, head rubs, and smiles. It's quite sweet.
Weather changes quite quickly. It might be sunny and warm one minute and then windy and overcast the next. So, come prepared.
If you need paved sidewalks, state-of-the-art facilities, a massive public transportation system, the trendiest restaurants, and the likes, Budva might not be the place for you. But, if you enjoy pebbled beaches, historical Old Towns, adorable cats, good eats, boutique shops, nightlife, unpaved roads, and cobblestone alleyways, then Budva is the place for you.
We had a lovely time in Budva (and Kotor). The scenery is truly picturesque with Montenegro lining the Adriatic Coast and housing some of the most historical Old Towns. Budva, in particular, is quite an eclectic town with beaches, palms trees, coastal restaurants, and nightclubs alongside stone walls, pine trees, rocky terrain, and cobblestone alleyways.
Although Montenegro is still developing and growing in many ways, its beauty is already well-established. I have no doubt it will attract more visitors throughout the years and steal the hearts of many.
Cao!
Photo credits: photos are mix of mine, Brad's, Kollyn's, and Mark's
Wonderful pictures:beautiful family gatherings:blessings and on to Budapest🙏🏽