Party beaches, authentic hinterland and fancy cars: Ulcinj / Montenegro

27.07.2023 - 30.07.2023

MARKUS:

Ulcinj finally allows us to rest a bit and consolidate our budget. First off: a great place.

We are staying at a place called Schweizerhaus with a Swiss-Albanian family, costing us only 8 euros per person, which is traveler-friendly. The historical proximity of the southern Balkans to Switzerland is also evident in the abundance of fancy cars from either Zurich or Bern. Consequently, masses of pumped-up men (I haven't felt so small in a long time) flock to the party beaches, dragging along their high-heeled companions, who adapt well to the environment.

Meanwhile, we are enjoying plenty of luxury for free, swimming in the pool of one of the countless apartment complexes on the crowded sandy beaches. However, in the evenings, we exchange the pounding party beats for either the call to prayer from the mosque right next to our balcony or the subtle jazz at the Sunset Beach Bar, located in the almost deserted old town. By the way, the old town is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, as it has been almost perfectly preserved, apart from a few well-integrated restaurants and bars, and is completely quiet even in the peak season, without being lined with the usual souvenir shops.

In addition to the beach and old town, we went on a bike tour to the former salt factory of the region, which is now an industrial wasteland with wonderful abandoned places and the former salt basins. A nature conservation project has revitalized them, creating a huge breeding ground for birds. We observe pelicans and flamingos in their natural habitat and are so amazed that we carelessly sink into the mud up to our knees on the lakeshore (which we happily wash off in one of those luxurious pools on our way back 😜).

With a bit of nostalgia, we will leave Ulcinj tomorrow, this peculiar mixture of partying and the call to prayer.