Today we traveled seven hours by car from Pristina to Kotor, Montenegro.

First south through the fields and foothills of southern Kosovo, then across the Albanian border, where we had to dodge cows blocking the border crossing. Through the pass between the Accursed Mountains to the north and the Korab Mountains to the south. The landscape became much more dramatic. Shepherds guided their flocks across craggy fields. Many houses, the first floor complete but with rebar jutting out in anticipation of a second, sported small vineyards in their front yards.

We followed the Drin River toward the sea, then turned north and crossed into Montenegro. We stopped for lunch at the side of the road and listened to the wind in the palms.

Then up and down and up again on the coastal mountain roads of Montenegro. Tour buses, a first on this trip. Billboard after billboard for seaside condos.

Finally, the descent into Kotor, a small walled town in at the end of a protected bay. What a setting! Mountains shoot up in all directions. The walls of the town hug the coast. We walked through the main gate and dropped our bags, then walked and walked.

We ducked into a service at one of the many orthodox churches. We met the hundreds of cats, who run this place. We finished with a simple dinner in one of the many small squares, and gelato. Classic.

Tomorrow: Likely a climb up into the mountains that loom over the bay.