To ask someone on Balkan about the next country en route is often useless. Here is still much hate, and you will not believe the horror stories one tells about the other. A Croat strongly warned me against going to Monte Negro. He assured that the locals would drug me and steal my kidney (allegedly they do that to all foreigners). He finished the lecture with a self-destruction of his integrity as a Monte Negro expert: “…and therefore I have never been there”. But if his story was true, then what did the Monte Negroes do with all the kidneys?To ask someone on Balkan about the next country en route is often useless. Here is still much hate, and you will not believe the horror stories one tells about the other. A Croat strongly warned me against going to Monte Negro. He assured that the locals would drug me and steal my kidney (allegedly they do that to all foreigners). He finished the lecture with a self-destruction of his integrity as a Monte Negro expert: “…and therefore I have never been there”. But if his story was true, then what do the Monte Negroes do with all the kidneys?
I did not loose my kidney in the Bay of Kotor

Newsflash: The alleged 80 Euro domestic road insurance does not exist. A valid Green Card is sufficient; at least it was for me. The friendly border officer handed the papers back and said “Welcome to Monte Negro”. Note, he did not say “Serbia and Monte Negro” which is the official name. I later realized that every other local also excluded the word Serbia when talking about their country. I later learned that it was a reason for that, but that we’ll save for a discussion about politics. The main issue is that Monte Negro is a wonderful place. The day can begin by skiing in the mountains, and end under a sunshade by the coast. Monte Negro has something for everyone.

I did not loose my kidney at Oaza Restaurant in Budva

I arrived Budva without any plan where to stay, but was soon approached by Branco who work at Oaza Restaurant which also is a guesthouse. It is centrally located behind Budva Hotel. I was given a clean room with private bathroom and a kitchen alcove, guarded parking for the bike, hospitable staff with trustworthy advices for the road ahead, and a complimentary glass of wine while eating a delicious omelet, everything for the low-season sum of 10 Euro. There is just one thing to say: At Oaza they treat bikers as kings!!! When you visit Oaza, then say hello to Branco for me.

Any kidneys behind these bushes?

The ride further south was scenic, but not as beautiful as e.g. the Bay of Kotor. The towns seemed more worn and gave a few hints about what to expect in the next country en route.

Just a few meters from the Albanian border, and I still had my kidney. Then this dodgy guy showed up…