Day 1: Podgorica

Weather Update: Cloudy, Rain Forecasted. High 16c

Elevation Above Sea Level: 40 Metres.

Day 1: Train to Podgorica

Exploring Podgorica: A Rainy Day Adventure

A Scenic Train Journey to the Capital

I started my day early with breakfast before heading to the train station to purchase my ticket for today’s trip. Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, is about 70 km from Bar, and the ticket costs a reasonable 2.50 Euros (NZD 4.70). The journey took approximately 90 minutes, offering some beautiful scenery along the way.

Arriving around 11 o’clock, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of aggressive taxi drivers or touts, making for a peaceful arrival. My accommodation was conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the station—perfect, as the bus and train stations are next to each other, making travel to other parts of the country straightforward.

A Less-Than-Ideal Hostel Stay

The hostel was essentially a converted house, but it lacked the typical hostel amenities. There were no kitchen facilities, no individual bed lights, no communal area for travellers to gather, and the WiFi was poor. However, at just 11 Euros and within walking distance of the station—especially convenient for my early 6:19 a.m. train tomorrow—it served its purpose.

Rainy Day Sightseeing

After settling in, I set out to explore the city, but the weather had other plans. A sudden downpour forced me to take shelter in a restaurant, where I enjoyed a beer while waiting for the rain to pass. An hour later, with the sky clearing, I resumed my walk towards the historic Ribnica Bridge.

Built during Roman times, the bridge is surrounded by scattered ruins and spans the Ribnica River, which flows into the larger Moraca River. Due to the rain, both rivers were running high, submerging parts of the walkway. The Moraca’s strong current prevented the Ribnica from merging smoothly, causing debris to pile up along the banks.

An Unexpected English Pub Experience

On my way back to the hostel, the rain returned, and this time, I wasn’t so lucky—I got completely soaked. Determined to end the day on a high note, I searched for the “Mr. Bean Pub,” but right next door, I spotted the “Sherlock Holmes Pub,” which immediately caught my interest.

The interior was unmistakably English, and I struck up a fascinating conversation with the bar manager about life in the Balkans after the fall of communism. It was a great way to warm up and wind down after a rainy day.

A Cosy End to the Day

I returned to the hostel around 7 p.m. and settled in for the night, though the WiFi issues persisted. Setting the heat pump to 30°C, I laid out my soaked clothes, hoping they’d be dry by morning, ready for another day of travel.

This was a good end to an indifferent day weather-wise but enjoyable nonetheless. I hope you enjoy following my journey to see the world and my travels take you into the world seen from my eyes.