Montenegro is a beautiful country. Upon the advice of our cruise director and everything we had read, we woke up at twilight so we could enjoy the scenery as we sailed into the beautiful city of Kotor.
Our ship opened the helipad on deck 5 to offer a viewing spot as far front on the ship as possible. The open portholes toward the helipad made for great photo frames.
Kotor is a tender port. At least two of the ship’s lifeboats which hold around 90 passengers were used to take passengers from the anchored ship to the port. The port also provided tender boats that held around 30 passengers each. This gives a good aerial view of the tendering process.
We chose a ship’s excursion to ride in a caravan of 4 x 4’s. 
Our guide’s nickname was Vonya. he grew up in Montenegro where they study English starting in the fourth grade, but he became more proficient as he became older and started playing water polo. Americans would come for camps and he would serve as an interpreter.
Each hairpin curve was numbered. Are we there yet????
Our 4×4’s travelled the narrow switchbacks 
to the top of the mountain where we were rewarded with stunning views of the switchbacks below and the bay.
Then we went bouncing “off-road” to another scenic mountaintop view. 
And enjoyed the little mountain wildflowers.
Then we went back to the main road and travelled throughout the countryside. 
Vonya told us that many of these are weekend homes/farms in the mountains where the climate is cooler.
Our third stop was at a 4 star restaurant/hotel for a restroom break.
Our last stop was a small village where we stopped at a restaurantand received a snack of prosciutto, cheese and bread and a drink of our choice (Coca-Cola for us, please) 
Villagers set up booths to sell their wares. Hubby found a polo shirt while a bought a hand-made tablecloth. The vendor took us to her father’s shop where he had smoked hams for sale.
When we returned to the Kotor, we went into the Old City
and looked at the shops within the walls.
An open-air cafe offered gelato and wifi, so I took advantage of some “free” internet there.
Some passengers on our return tender said they hiked all the steps to the top of the walled city. They were quite exhausted but claimed the views were well worth it.
If I ever return to Kotor, I would want to spend additional time in the old city and/or perhaps take a tour out to the little island lighthouse. I definitely want to come back some day.
Next stop, Venice.