Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

en Montenegro finalmente

Posted by Hippobean at 9:34 PM
aug 19 - 22

I dont believe it but this was the most relaxed and uncrowded KLM flight ever. I've paid extra because of the star alliance discount to get the window side of the 2 seaters on the back of the boeing 747-400 because I knew from prior flights that the back rows had some space between the seat and the window. I chose the second 2 seater row, and it turned out there was nobody next to me nor in front of me. But the individual monitor didnt work so I've moved to the row in front. Still there was nobody around me, so I had plenty of breathing space. It was the most enjoyable 10 hour flight. I've watched Passengers and it was a pretty good movie.

Arrived Amsterdam in the rain around 9:30 and the CitizenM room was available. Trained to Ams Centraal and the day turned out to be warm. Lots of tourists out already. It's been some years since I've visited this city. Last was a few years ago when I dined with Borg at the Bird Thai restaurant (still remember the chicken satay and pad thai, yum), but didnt get to see anything else. So a bit of homework showed there was actually a palace in Ams and it was within walking distance from the station, so I went there.

It was built as the Town Hall later converted to royal palace. the citizen's hall had fantastic statues and ornate chandeliers. Although the rest of the palace wasnt much as compared to other royal palaces, it contained secret meanings that must be observed carefully to get their full significance. Built right on Dam square, with the pediment facing the square, signifies the importance of the sea to the city. Atlas carrying the burden of the firmament, at the center of the Hall symbolizes Amsterdam as the center of the universe, Poseidon with connection to the sea. Argus' all-seeing eyes marble relief positioned at the entrance of the chamber. the four elements earth, water, fire and air depicted in the arches leading to the galleries. the maps on the marble floor are based on the star charts by the family Blaeu, the best known cartographers in the 17th century. the Insurance Chamber (Assurantiekamer) paintings are all about protection, pledges and insurance for trades and merchants. peace is symbolized by Venus and Mars, looking at each other, no war. 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall' proverb was used to warn merchants not to take unnecessary risks as doing so would lead to ruin, as shown in the icarus relief above the entrance to the Bankruptcy Chamber (Desolate Boedelskamer). The paintings in the Orphans’ Chamber (Weeskamer) are by the artist Cornelis Holsteyn from Haarlem. Good upbringing vs negligence. Very interesting and I wondered why not many people visited this palace. Glad I did.


After the lessons at the royal palace, I simply walked the east canals till my legs begged no more. Not very hungry but wanted to try the french fries that came in a paper cone. when asked what sauce (not that question again), i chose mustard and got my fingers smeared with the yellow stuff. For dinner, i got a nice chicken tagine from this place at Schiphol which name I forgot, and watched 2 free movies in my room: arthur legend of the sword (boring) and underworld blood war which was pretty good. wanting to check in early on the Croatian flight to get a window seat but none of the self check-in machines recognized my reservation. Still, was able to find out which check-in counter was for Croatian airlines.

See Amsterdam Palace and Amsterdam 2017 images:



No word from Borg. It would have been nice to see him again in his hometown. Hope he's doing fine.

the next morning, found the check-in counter and was able to get window seats. however, the boarding was a bit delayed due to the serbian airline plane stuck on the gate. But the flight to Zagreb actually took off 10 minutes early. no significant food offered on the flight. a box of 'croatian delicacies' turned out to be a bag of strange crackers, a few small pieces of croatian bacon and a dried fig. about an hour layover in Zagreb, and there was nothing in the terminal to buy, eat or drink. no matter, since I only had USD and euros.

Arrived in dubrovnik and we drove immediately to montenegro, crossing the border to Bosnia first. The otherwise 2 hour journey took an extra hour because bosnian driver and minivan had to first return to the home country in order to go to the next country. strange law but they claimed it's for the driver's benefit. go figure! The bosnian border took a while but the montenegro one was quick with just a few cars ahead of us. By the time we got to the bay of Kotor, it was already dark and instead of driving another half hour around the bay, we took the ferry to cross the bay. It was a most welcome 2 minutes ride since the Hippo had never been on a ferry with cars. Reminded me of the war of the worlds where Cruise got on a ferry and the aliens attacked and turned it over. We got out of the minivan to see the opposite shore appearing and the castle walls and churches on the mountains illuminated. It gave me a mediterranean feel, like in small village in some lake in Italy. The evening was pleasant, a bit warm but not too hot. Definitely a moment to cherish and remember. My room at the Porto Inn had a balcony that faced the back of the hotel with views of the Dinaric Alps. Very nice comfortable hotel. We walked to the old town to dine on tomato soup, pork and potatoes and seafood rice and chocolate cake at the hotel marija. The marina was just in front of our hotel. The old town walls were illuminated on the hill and the yacht lights were on in the most pleasant evening. The short walk was heavenly. spent some time with Snowie on the balcony to take in Kotor's air and admire the mountains in the tranquility of the night. very happy. In Montenegro finally.

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