Goodbye, Croatia. Hello, Montenegro.

After a week’s stay in Dubrovnik, we inched closer to the border of Croatia and Montenegro. Instead of crossing over right away, we decided to spend one last night in Croatia to take advantage of our unlimited internet plan and get some work done. Once we cross into Montenegro, our data plan will not work since it only covers Croatia and other EU countries.

So off we went in search of a free camp spot for the night. The first place we checked out was at the southern most tip in Croatia. At first glance it was perfect. No one around, a flat concrete pad literally just steps from the Adriatic and plenty of room for the kids to run around and explore. But weak cell reception (we had work to do) and an unsettling review on the Park4Night app was more than enough to make us rethink this spot.

Those snowy peaks are in Montenegro.

We did spend a little time there to stretch out our legs.

And take advantage of puddle reflections.

Sad to see floating trash here. Hasn’t been an obvious problem in most of the other places we’ve explored in Croatia.

Luka enjoying “fishing” down these little steps to the sea with a frayed rope and sticks he found nearby.

We decided to check out the area of Konavoski Dvori. There is an old mill up there a couple restaurant parking spots that allow overnight (wild) camping.

We usually get a late start during our travel days but today we got a surprisingly early one and it really came in handy to explore different potential boondocking spots before settling on one for the evening. We found a spot on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea not far from the old mill spot but once again cell reception was iffy. We got there just as sun was setting and the warm colors reflecting off of the green trees was surreal.

The kids stood in the sun’s rays as well. It was one of the most magical few minutes of a sunset that we’ve ever felt.

Thank you, sun. Hvala, sunce.

We should probably settle on a spot now before it gets too dark.

We ended up spending the night in a parking lot of the old mill restaurant which is currently closed for the winter off-season.

In the morning, we crossed the border from Croatia, thru a little section of no man’s land and then to an even smaller border crossing into Montenegro.

Hello, Montenegro!!

First thing first. Picked up a couple cheap data plans (10 GBs for 10 Euros) and found a place to eat that had ample parking for our van.

We made the choice to take a short ferry ride towards our first destination in Montenegro, the city of Kotor.

When the ferry dropped us off, we continued on on what appears to be a one way road. But no, friends. This is a two way road.

Seriously. But we just took slow. The locals either pulled over for us to pass or we pulled over for them. It turned out to be one of the most picturesque drives we’ve ever done.

Our spot of the night. A dirt lot behind some cafes not too far from the touristy part of Kotor.

We didn’t notice the fortress wall climbing up the steep mountain until a few minutes of being here. Haha. Camouflage.

After parking the van, the kids jumped out of the van to look for cats. Their daily routine in Croatia and now in Montenegro too.

Found one under a boat.

We didn’t really research Montenegro before arriving here and its beauty was a pleasant surprise. So much so that we all took turns posing on this rock.

Dan and I even handed the camera over to the kids. Thanks for the photo, Ava. Your timing with the bird over my shoulder was perfect. 🙂

Now that we are settled for the night in this spot, we decided to pay a visit to one of the cafes next to the lot.

We took advantage of the wifi and the kids continued their schoolwork.

They started a new memory journal for our European adventure. Here is Luka’s entry for the animal shelter we visited in Dubrovnik a couple days ago.

And here is his photo of us hanging out at our first Montenegrin cafe.

Back in the van, Dan set up place to hang our tablet under the cab shelf which works perfectly for family movie nights. Thumbs up from Luka.

Tonight’s choice? Star Wars episode something.

Alright better get these kids ready for bed.

Thanks for following along on our adventures,
Marlene