Monday, June 3, 2024

Kotor, Montenegro

Last night was an AZamazing Evening in Dubrovnik at a venue above the Old town. Dubrovnik lived up to its reputation as the Pearl of the Adriatic. This our last AZamazing event of the World Cruise complete with awesome views of sparkling lights and sunset, local dancers and libations, high spirits and of course, the mandatory bus rides to and fro! a little rain made the cobblestone walkways from the walled city very slick but we were intrepid.

Kotor, Montenegro is yet another Renaissance vintage village with a well-preserved medieval architecture and a picturesque setting. We went by boat to the nearby Porto Montenegro where the uber wealthy park their luxury yachts, and hangout. Then to visit the sweet little church Our Lady of the Rocks, and tour the walled old town of Kotor before a sensational sail away. Awesome!

Our Lady of the Rocks church. On a tiny man-made island created by local seamen, built in 1630 following an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. Onward Captain Carl was so enamored with this story, that he decided he also wanted to add a "rock" to the islet.  After navigating a large cruise ship through the narrow fjords of the Bay of Kotor,  he must have felt that it was a fitting way to give thanks! According to Captain Carl, it took a bit of doing, accessing permissions and making arrangements, but finally, in 2010, Azamara Quest was able to "add" a special commemorative rock, participating in a 500 year old tradition! Every year on the sunset of 22 July, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place. The church was renovated in 1722. Its a famous place for weddings — maybe to ensure the marriage doesn’t end up on the rocks!