Lakes and Rivers

Today the sun returns and we spend our time exploring lakes and rivers as we wend our way back down towards the south. 

Our eco camp is high above the Tara river - though we’re now far from the deepest part of the canyon. Post breakfast, we cross the dewy flower meadows and walk down the steeply wooded pathway to its impossibly turquoise waters. There’s a tiny beach where we could swim, but paddling is the icy waters is all I manage. Just sitting on a rock and breathing in the beauty of the rushing turquoise waters and the towering mountains surrounding us is enough. 

The walk back up is slow as I stop frequently to rest and catch my breath, but also to capture shots of the wild flowers and fungi - grateful for the excuse photography offers for slow progress! Butterflies flit along, frustratingly never stopping -  though I do manage to capture a gorgeous black and white variety on the beach. 

Our first stop is a  little monastery just up the river - beautifully situated but sadly locked so we’re unable to admire its old frescoes. There’s no sign of the monks though vestments are drying in the balconies of the adjacent house and the garden’s beautifully tended. We discover later, all we needed to do was knock the door! 

We journey onwards to Biogradska  National Park and lake - apparently Europe’s earliest protected area.  There are still wolves and bears high in the mountains, but of course these are rarely seen. Instead we see  - and hear - frogs, giant snails and, fleetingly, scuttering lizards; and the air is full of birdsong. The lake is glorious and we walk around its shores. The highlight is the furthest end which is a primeval wooded wetland of running streams and marsh. Everywhere I look there is a scene I have to photograph. And as we return the views across the mirrored surface of the lake are simply stunning.

We now have the drive down to a much larger lake - Lake Skadar - where we will be spending the next three nights. The route is almost continuously down hill for two hours, the road zigzagging through mountains and crossing ravines. Local drivers overtake with what seems to us total wrecklessness, weaving back into their lane with seconds to spare. It’s a spectacular drive, and heartstopping  at times - both because of beauty and of fear! 

We cross Montenegro’s capital Podgorica with ease, now on the flat plains leading to the lake, and soon we glimpse the greens and blues of the marshy lake edges as we reach Virpazaz.  Miraculously, our satnav  delivers us to our home for the next three nights- Hoopoo Glamping. More on this to follow …..! 

Apologies for the excess number of photos blipped - again we’ve seen so much. My main is of Lake Biogradza reflections, with another in extras together with a few more….