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We visited Montenegro this summer aboard an NCL cruise ship. Sailing down the narrow inland fjord was simply awe-inspiring. It takes a few hours from the open sea to reach the end of the bay, where—nestled beneath towering limestone cliffs—lies the ancient town of Kotor. In places, the route is so narrow between the mountains you feel as if you could reach out and touch the sides.

We had decided to go sea kayaking and were met by a guide who walked us along the shoreline to a launch site. The whole experience carried an air of excitement—the waterway was breathtaking. As we paddled into the fjord, the fortified city of Kotor rose to our right, its majestic castle perched high on the mountainside. To our left, gentler slopes were dotted with houses and churches, and ahead of us stretched crystal-clear water.

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After about an hour of paddling, we landed on a stony beach. Most of the group, including Wendy, swam and chatted among themselves. I chose instead to strike up a conversation with our guide. Around 30 years old, he was a native of Montenegro and had travelled the world. He spoke passionately about his homeland and its rich history. I learned more in that hour than I could have from any guidebook.

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We paddled back to shore, and I said goodbye to my new friend—someone I hadn’t expected to be so genuinely warm and welcoming (you’ll see why that stood out).

Kotor is entered on foot through ancient stone gates and reveals itself as a labyrinth of narrow medieval lanes. It’s become famous worldwide among Game of Thrones fans, as much of the filming was done here. I have to admit, it’s unlike any place I’ve ever visited—truly deserving of its reputation as a medieval gem. The bars, restaurants, and shops look fantastic, but sadly, the town lacked warmth and friendliness.

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I’m sorry to say that my first encounter was unpleasant: I went to post a card to my daughter and met perhaps the rudest person I’ve ever come across. She had a full-blown argument with another customer for using the only available pen, claiming it was for locals only—not tourists. Later, we went for a drink. The atmosphere was incredible, but the feeling of being unwelcome spoiled it. A slice of pizza from a shop was quite literally thrown at us, and in another bar, we encountered yet another rude waiter. It was just so disappointing and left a bitter taste in what is otherwise one of the world’s most stunning destinations. It made me wonder—was our kayak guide the only friendly person?

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Back on the ship, quite a few passengers had returned early and shared similar experiences. What a shame. Tourists are the backbone of the local economy, and if they stop coming, perhaps people will look back and think, “Maybe we should have been a bit nicer.”

Sailing out was also prety magical as the sun was setting. It may have been a little disappointing but "What a stunning place"! 1000016440 1000016454 Sun Setting In The Fjord

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