MEXICO: Sous Chef's in San Miguel

One of our challenges being on the road full-time is that we never know how well our rental kitchens will be equipped. 

Another challenge is that we do not have the basic cooking ingredients in our non-existent pantry.

So when we do cook supper, it is generally a very basic meal. 

When I found an opportunity to take a Mexican cooking class I was pretty excited. 

MEXICO: Hills in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is in Mexico’s central highlands, about a 4 hour drive north of Mexico City.

It sits at an elevation of about 1,900 m (6,200 ft).

For those of you that are not familiar with elevation, let me put this in perspective.

Vancouver, Halifax, New York City, San Francisco, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo, are all basically at sea level, with 0 elevation in both metric and imperial measures.

Denver is nicknamed the Mile High City, because its official elevation is exactly one mile (1609 meters or 5280 feet) above sea level.

So that puts San Miguel de Allende at a higher elevation than Denver.

MEXICO: Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is proud of their Arch, known locally as El Arco.

It is a natural rock formation that marks the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez (AKA the Gulf of California).

The arch was naturally carved over millions of years by wind and the constant pounding of the waves against the rock. 

MEXICO: Baja California Sur

We were staying at the tip of Baja California Sur just outside of Cabos San Lucas. 

We decided to do some exploring.

We thought it would be pretty to drive up the east side of the peninsula, which is along the Gulf of California. 

We chose a route that had a busy day for traffic. 

MEXICO: Day of the Dead Celebrations in San Jose del Cabo

Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and remembrance.

Families honour the memory of deceased relatives.

People pray for their departed loved ones and reflect on their lives, tell jokes and share memories. 

Day of the Dead blends ancient indigenous beliefs with Catholic practices. 

It happens during the beginning of the Catholic holy season of the All Saints’ Day (November 1). 

Day of the Dead is an essential part of Mexican culture. 

We were in San José del Cabo, near the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico, for Day of the Dead celebrations.

MONTENEGRO: The Adriatic Riviera

Budva is a town on the “Adriatic Riviera” and is touted as Montenegro's most-visited destination.

It is one of the busiest and probably the most crowded towns on the Adriatic Sea.

It’s  nicknamed “the Montenegrin Miami” or the “Miami of the Adriatic Sea”. 

It attracts hordes of tourists intent on sunning themselves on the local beaches and partying until dawn at one of the many bars and clubs.

So we've been told. John and I are boring old retired folks, looking for the early-bird dinner specials, so we can’t personally speak to the busy night life.

MONTENEGRO: Vineyards and Wine Tasting

Who knew Montenegro had a wine industry?

I certainly didn't.

There are over 100 registered wineries in Montenegro that produce over 50 types of wine!

This small country produces about 17 million liters of wine a year. About 30% is exported.

Wine is one of the most important agricultural products in Montenegro.

MONTENEGRO: The Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is a series of bays that stretch about 25km inland.  

The harbour is sheltered from strong winds and is ideal for sailing, merchant trade ships and cruise boats. 

The bay is dotted with small towns and villages with baroque mansions that were the homes of wealthy sea captains or wealthy merchants from centuries ago. 

Today there are luxury hotels and highly rated restaurants.

The beautiful Bay of Kotor beckoned us to go for an exploratory boat ride.

MONTENEGRO: The Pearl of the Adriatic

The town of Kotor is called the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.

It is scenically nestled in the Bay of Kotor and has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic. 

Old Kotor looks like a cute Venetian-era old town. This is because it was ruled by Venice for nearly 400 years.

Over the centuries, Kotor has experienced tumultuous times.

Kotor was besieged by the Ottoman Empire in 1538 and again in 1657, it endured the plague in 1572, and was nearly destroyed by earthquakes in 1563, 1667 and 1979.

Kotor, and the Bay of Kotor, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MONTENEGRO: The Stunning Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park, in northwestern Montenegro, is beautiful with mountains, rivers, and canyons.

The park is surrounded by the Piva and Tara rivers and there are 23 mountain tops that are over 2300 meters of altitude that drop down to steep canyons.

December to March, Durmitor is a major ski resort, while in summer, it’s popular for hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities.

We were looking forward to hiking and just soaking up the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MONTENEGRO: Prokletije National Park

The Prokletije mountains are a range of mountains shared by Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. 

It is characterized by its unique border-crossing where the mountains serve as the border between the three countries.

The mountains are also called The Accursed Mountains because they are so inhospitable. 

This rugged and remote region is part of the Albanian Alps.

Prokletije National Park in Montenegro is a stunning park that is home to scenic landscapes with towering peaks and deep gorges. 

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA to MONTENEGRO: Crossing Borders on the Bus

We usually drive or fly between new countries, but the easiest way for us to get from Sarajevo, Bosnia to Podgorica, Montenegro was by bus.

We each travel with a big suitcase and a small roller board carry on, plus a small bag.

I wasn’t sure exactly how we would deal with the luggage on a bus in addition to crossing international borders.

But, even though it was MY first rodeo traveling by bus and crossing a border, it was not THEIR first rodeo.

They handled it like seasoned pros, so it made it easy for us to handle it like seasoned travelers.