KORA’s final stop in Montenegro would be Bar, and what a way to finish!
This wasn’t our first visit to Bar, but it felt like it. Last year, Karen and Doug arrived after an overnight crossing from Italy and had just enough energy to locate dinner before calling it a night. This time, with Buzz and Kate seeing Bar for the first time and everyone feeling far more rested, we were ready to properly explore.
We started with an amazing lunch overlooking the water, followed by a little shopping around town before catching an Uber up to Stari Bar (Old Bar). Wandering its cobblestone streets and ancient stone ruins, it was easy to imagine life here centuries ago. First settled between the 6th and 9th centuries and shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman influences, the town has witnessed more than a thousand years of history.
Back in modern Bar, the city seemed to wake up as the afternoon turned to evening. By six o’clock the waterfront promenade was buzzing with families, musicians, cafés, and people out enjoying the warm weather. We strolled past a vintage car exhibition while the soundtrack bounced from the 50s and 60s – Chuck Berry, Richie Valens, and The Marvelettes – to a little 80s Roxette for good measure.
Given the afternoon heat, Kate and Buzz wisely postponed their run until the following morning. This conveniently doubled as a mission to secure fresh bread from a local bakery before we dropped our lines and sailed away. As sailing crews go, we take our carbohydrate acquisition responsibilities very seriously – and let’s be honest, you simply can’t beat fresh bread in Europe!
Still full from lunch, we skipped dinner and opted for gelato instead, watching the sun slowly sink behind the mountains. Not a bad way to say goodbye to Montenegro. Tomorrow, KORA points her bow toward Albania.
