Durmitor Ring - with our AirBnB Host
Yesterday was one of those magical days that make travel so enjoyable. Annette and I have always loved making connections with locals and other travelers when we’re out exploring, and this was one of those magical days for us.
Our Airbnb host, Neda, arrived with a friend to clean the unit below after the last guests, a couple from Germany, had left. They had stayed overnight to escape the heat of Podgorica. Neda reached out to us and asked if we would like to join her and her friend the next day on part of the Durmitor Ring. We gladly accepted.
Our first Turkish coffee
It was such a blessing to connect with our host and have the opportunity to spend time together. Neda was determined to show us the best of the area and was very gracious to offer Annette and me a ride along the Durmitor Ring.
The road can be described as the Montenegrin version of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but much narrower—about 1.5 lanes wide, as Neda and the approaching drivers had to move over for each other. We were both amazed at the diverse landscapes in such a small area: thick evergreen forests, jagged mountain tops, rolling hills, and meadows, all packed into a relatively small region. We came for the beautiful nature and views, and we certainly experienced them here in Žabljak.
During one of our stops, another couple was taking pictures as we waited for our turn. Neda was talking with them, and we could tell they asked her where we were from. The next thing we knew, they wanted pictures with us! It was so much fun—another connection made, even if no words were exchanged.
While the views and the ride around the area were spectacular, we enjoyed getting to know Neda and her friend even more. We stopped at a little shack along the road for Turkish coffee and had a great conversation, getting to know these two young ladies. They were interested in hearing about us, and we were just as curious about them. These are the moments we cherish: connecting with locals and fellow travelers.
The ride back was fantastic because we got caught in a Montenegrin traffic jam on the ring road—a large flock of sheep in the road! We loved it; what a wonderful experience.
I often say that pictures are wonderful and help us remember special memories, but nothing can replace the thrill and feeling of experiencing places like Durmitor National Park in person. Please enjoy the pictures, but you should really consider making memories in Montenegro yourself. The people are wonderful, and we’re enjoying this country more and more each day.
