Remember this guy from one month ago? His name is Dongbum and he’s from South Korea. We met in Kotor in Montenegro and ran into each other again yesterday in Pogradec, Albania. He also had a hitchhiking sign, so it clicked. There seems to be a kind of Balkan Trail, just like there’s a Gringo Trail in South America and the Hippie Trail in Eurasia. I sometimes look at this map of backpacking trails by Sandalsand to get the big picture. I’m still not sure if where we are now is part of the Balkan Trail, but the coincidence wasContinue reading
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Hitchhiking from Montenegro to Albania: It’s Border Time!
I’m packed and ready to hitchhike from Montenegro to Albania! That’d be country #57 if you’re wondering. The last weeks in Kruče have been absolute bliss. Packing to cross a border is, however, a little bit unchill. But I did it and I’m ready. Aleksandra has been a wonderful host and I really love her life stories and passion for music. Sometimes you meet people with an openness that just blows you away. I’m definitely going to miss this, but it’s time to move on and see what the much-hyped Albania has to offer. Some people think it’s a scaryContinue reading
Literal Book Worm (Kruče, MNE)
This little fellah – a literal book worm – was reading along with me last night. I led the bendy boy off the page and onto a wall to not squish him. I’m reading the book The Price of Salt/Carol that Aleksandra had lying around her place by torchlight. It’s basically about two women on a road trip, which makes my thumb a little itchy to hitchhike on to Albania. I’m slowly preparing to leave Aleksandra’s elaborate hospitality here in Kruče. I didn’t meet her via CouchSurfing, but this has been my longest surf so far! Apparently, I arrived here on the 16th of May.Continue reading
Kruče: Happily Stuck in Montenegro
Just another beach day in Kruče, Montenegro with books, beer, buddies, and bloody awesome sunsets. [INSERT SILLY INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE] 😉 I can’t leave this place because it doesn’t want me to leave. I can’t be arsed to move further away than the nearest supermarket to buy the necessary supplies for another day of hardcore relaxation. The night is coming and there will just be my good friend, her dog, and me with candles, blankets, and conversation. Guitars and songs. Sometimes satisfaction and happiness come really close to each other. The last rays of the day are going, but I’ll beContinue reading
Decorations, Ajvar, and Seaside Shenanigans (Kruče, MNE)
Today we made some year-round tree decorations for Aleksandra’s place in Kruče. These trees overlook the Adriatic seaside here and the decorations catch the sunlight beautifully. I’m a fan of this idea of decorating. So far, I haven’t been bored. Perhaps I should have become an interior (exterior?) decorator or something. It’s nice. As you might have noticed, what started as a few days in Kruče has become more than a week already. Aleksandra has extended her invitation here and I feel very welcome. I’m reading a book called The Price of Salt/Carol in the sunshine and am enjoying it. We often walkContinue reading
Power Outages, Thunder, and Independence Day (Kruče, MNE)
Yes, that’s a torch on my head. I’m freaking night blind! The last few days were marked with the ultimate chill, beer, new friends, and Lu Lu the dog. Also this small thing: massive primetime thunder and lightning that was our TV for two days and the subsequent power outages (hence no internet and no posts!). Though a bit annoying, this is the perfect weather for reading a book or fixing my backpack by candlelight—or torchlight. We’ve also cooked our meals – pancakes, lots and lots of pancakes – on a Real Fire™. Tomorrow is the day I’ll go to the localContinue reading
Lu Lu the Dog (Kruče, MNE)
Meet Lu Lu, the dog who seriously knows how to chill. She’s Aleksandra’s and she’s one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met. She’s quite big, which is why I think she deserves to occupy the outdoor’s bed. Aleksandra, her dog, and I often go swimming down at the beach. It’s not the best beach in the whole wide world, but it’s petite and secluded. I think that’s more important in a beach. And there’s always a stick to throw to play fetch with Lu Lu. I haven’t seen her on a leash yet, which is also not necessary asContinue reading
Budva, Montenegro: Spontaneous Laundry Day
Yes, this is a photo of clean laundry in Budva… but the story behind it is pretty cool! When hitchhiking to Kruče I stopped the second car that passed. Besides being remarkable as one of my fastest hitchhiking times – stopped for me in like 20 seconds – the driver owns this drycleaning business chain. He’s originally from Serbia and owns ‘Pingvin drycleaning’ in the cities of Podgorica, Budva, and Bar. He was driving all the way to my destination but had to make some stops at his businesses on the way to exit Kruče. After hearing my story of travelingContinue reading
Montenegrin Sunsets (Kruče)
Dear friends, followers, and fans! I’m currently residing in the small town of Kruče, Montenegro for a couple of days. My friend and fellow hitchhiking nomad Aleksandra and her dog Lu Lu (see photo) host me in this small ghost-ish town. We sometimes practice playing the guitar together. She has an amazing place and leads a simple lifestyle a stone’s throw away from the beach. It’s incredibly peaceful here. I feel inspired as hell with these Montenegrin sunsets dropping into the Adriatic Sea a little differently each day. Aleksandra hitchhikes together with her dog (mad props!) and we have a lotContinue reading