With the thermometer firmly stuck in the high 30s, we decided to seek out somewhere cooler to spend the rest of the weekend and settled on the Lipa Cave in Cetinje. We set off around 9 ish and arrived just after 10:30 am. After securing our modestly priced tickets, we made our way to the tractor and carriages that would take us down the side of the mountain to the mouth of the cave.
We had been advised to bring sturdy shoes and a jacket, which given how hot is was, I was extremely skeptical about until I stood at the entrance of the cave. Standing there felt like standing in front of an open freezer door. So, after putting on my gilet and wishing I had worn full sleeves, we began our descent into the cave. Our tour was led by a young biologist who was both knowledgeable and engaging. As we wandered around, it felt like we were exploring another planet, with stalagmites and stalactites. In some places, we could see where the two formations had met over thousands of years, forming columns that resembled melted candles. The whole experience was very interesting.
We left the cave around lunchtime and decided to stop not far from there at a recommended restaurant with good food and views across the valley below, with Lake Skadar visible in the distance. After our lazy lunch, we’d decided to take a look at Rijeka Crnojevica and its stone bridge, which marks the entrance to what was once the biggest port in Montenegro during the 19th and 20th centuries. If I’m honest, I wasn’t all that impressed, but while we were there, Rachel talked me into hiring a boat and captain to take us into Skadar Lake National Park, a bird sanctuary that extends into Lake Skadar. This lake is the largest in Southern Europe, with a shared border with Albania running right through its middle.
The flat-bottomed boat navigated seamlessly through the lily beds and tall grasses without damaging the environment or disturbing the numerous species of birds. Against a backdrop of small, but dramatic mountains, an hour and a half later, we were back at the bridge, truly glad that we had taken the trip. It was the perfect way to end the day.
Dream Chasers 