Well, what a fizzer!
We have 2 nights in Budva, so today we went on an optional excursion to Lake Shkoder for a boat trip. We were there yesterday, you might recall.
Here’s how it was advertised in our itinerary:
Optional Activity: Virpazar Traditional Villages, including a boat ride to Shkoder Lake
Virpazar is a gateway to Skadar Lake National Park, offering boat tours that explore traditional villages like Karuch and the lake’s unique ecosystem with a wide variety of birds and water lilies. The boat trip includes scenic routes through narrow channels, visiting historical sites such as the medieval Kom Monastery or Lesendro fortress. A boat ride, park entrance and transportation are included
Reading this, it sounds like it would be worth 40 euro.
It was an absolute rip-off.
Nearly 40 people were crammed onto this little boat. We went out onto the lake, did a big circle…
… slowed down to view this monastery (I assume.) We had absolutely no commentary from the driver.
We then completed the circle and were dropped back off at the town.
Where were the traditional villages? Where were the “scenic routes”?
We paid 65 AUD for an hour long circle on a lake.
Sixty five dollars! We didn’t even get a sandwich and coffee for lunch. We had to go and buy our own.
I wasn’t happy. Tripadeal will be getting a sternly-worded email when I get home. The thing that stings is that this was a newly added trip that we had to pay for in cash. I wish I had my time over again. People were saying that you can get a 2 hour boat trip, exploring 3 caves, for 15 euro back in Budva.
TripaDeal need to change their provider, pronto.
The Balkans are littered with ancient forts. I saw this fort as we were headed out to the lake, when we were still naive and full of hope that we’d have a good day. Blogless Sandy made sure to get a snap on the way back.
Me? I was having a Power Nap.
Yesterday, when we were standing on the top of the Old Town walls, we saw people walking along a path winding around the cliff base. It seemed pretty popular, so we decided to follow suit.
We found The Ballerina. Isn’t she marvellous?
It didn’t hurt that we also had an absolutely wonderful view of the Old Town behind her.
The rock formations of the cliffs were so pretty, like a Sara Lee pastry in that old ad.
”Layer upon layer upon layer.”
The path ended at another beach, but just before then, there was a rocky outcrop right at the water, where a few people were sitting, enjoying the sun.
I sat there, gazing out at the Adriatic Sea. Soon, Blogless Sandy joined me, and we sat chatting with a nice Irish man who was here on holidays with his brother.
After a while, we were joined by some local boys.
School was out for the day, so why not? What could possibly go wrong?
We walked back through the Old Town, intending to have a Quick Look before getting dinner out in the town.
But then,
we saw another little ballerina outside an ice cream shop.
We sat down and had a drink. We became at one with our chairs. We ordered dinner – a marlin salad with wine. Delicious!
Parents with their phones.
More phone work.
Oh no! Clouds.
We’re bracing ourselves for a cold snap that’s on the way. We have Dubrovnik tomorrow, so fingers crossed we get to see it in sunshine…
but yeah. I’m still salty about getting ripped off by that boat trip.
Dad joke of the day:
So disappointing about the boat trip, but the rest of your day sounds wonderful. Your picture of the ballerina – gorgeous. The dad joke of the day made me spit out my coffee! So true!
Haha! I’m glad you liked the joke.
What a bummer!
I hope you have Kotor and its fjord on your itinerary before Dubrovnik, it’s really beautiful.
Yes, we saw it today. I liked it very much, but I think Budva was more picturesque. Anyway, let’s see how Dubrovnik measures up! 😀