I have a new favorite castle - the Fortress town of Kotor, Montenegro. Lying on the base of Southern Europe's largest fjord, this majestic walled town has ramparts that crisscross the mountain rising behind it. A rugged Balkan Gondor (are the words rugged and Balkan redundant?). I can see how Montenegro held out against the Ottoman Empire for so long. The battlements were built up over the course of many centuries, and their haphazard and semi-ruined state made for perfect adventuring.
After spending seven grueling days on the beaches of Croatia, I was ready for some hiking. I paid the nominal entry fee, received a map detailing the various paths (coded for danger levels: "safe", "hazardous", "highly dangerous"), and set off. I suppose I should have prepared a bit more as I ran out of water after the first 20 mintues (did Chamutal teach me nothing?). Still, I kept climbing, eventually reaching the summit of the 1500 or so steps. The mountaintop breezes were reinvigorating. The views were magnificent. I understand why man constructed the tower of Babel. Or maybe I just like scenic vistas. I somehow strayed off the "highly dangerous" path during my descent. I think I found a goat path though, based on some pebbly clues. I brushed nettles aside and steppled carefully down the crumbling stone stairways. It was fun. Just as dusk was approaching I reached the walled town and returned triumphantly to my hotel for a much needed shower.
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