Spring Break in Montenegro!

Well, we didn't see that one coming. Never in our adult life had we ever thought "I wonder when I will be going to Balkan states?" Never. At least never until we learned that Christine's cousin Evelyn and her husband Collin would be spending this academic year in Montenegro's biggest city and capital, Podgorica.

Podgorica (pronounced poed-go-rit-za) is a city of roughly 200,000 people and held the title of Titograd (after the infamous Yugoslavian president/dictator/party chief/big man Tito) for many years before a series of government changes made it seem like a good idea to find a new name :) Located on the plains area next to the giant Lake Skadar, the city is a beautiful combination of modern culture and old world charm.

So with Easter Break upon them, Christine and Tim packed their suitcases and headed over to the Balkan Peninsula for what would prove to be an adventurous and heart-warming time seeing new places and making good friends. With twenty-one hours of traveling we both were able to narrowly avoid jetlag by sleeping a short bit on the long flight at just the right time to end the old day and start the new day naturally. When the plane landed, we were as fresh as spring chickens!! Mind you, spring chickens that had just spend two days in the same clothes on a plane...

And with that, I will finish and let the photos do the talking for us. Evelyn and Collin were fabulous hosts, treating us to all of the local specialties and driving all over creation with us. We got to travel to ALBANIA!!!!!! They taught us several new card games (and even let us win once or twice ;) and we all shared a lot of laughs and great stories. We are wishing them all the best as they finish out their time in Podgorica!!

For some reason these seats were cheaper than economy.  :)

Tim usually does not get this much leg room

Turkish Coffee

In Albania!!!!!!

Fort/Church/Mosque Ruins in Albania

Albanian Food

At one of the major photo spots in Montenegro - Lake Skadar National Park

Parking Montenegrin Style

Historic city of Cetinje

Kotor Walled City

Looking Up At The Fort

At the church on the hill over looking Kotor

Podgorica's Town Center

Ostrog Monastery in the mountains

At the church

In Petrovac (beach time)

Another abandoned fort

A Pedestrian Tunnel

Some of the view from the trail

Another famous photo from Montenegro.  St. Stephan's Island

Sunset on the last full day

To all our friends and family throughout the world, please know that there isn't a day that goes by when we don't think of you all. Keep doing Good in all your endeavors and activities. We are awfully proud and thankful to have you in our lives.

Love,
Tim and Christine

HK to Istanbul :)