Chasing the rocky coast

Come with me on a journey. Trust me; your zest for life will be renewed.

A road weaves around the rocks. This is the road from Budva that serpentines further into coastal Montenegro. Despite the steep turns we can’t concentrate on the road as we yield to the temptation of looking around to feast our eyes on the fascinating view of the endless Adriatic Sea, sparkling under the bright Montenegro sun.  The serpent draws to a close and we take the first turn off the main road to a secret place; a place that tourists rarely have a chance to experience. Why? Either the absence of guided tours, non-familiarity or simply because that’s the way it usually is with most precious things. They take effort to find and are never on the surface. A winding dirt road entices us further. We’re accompanied by rocks on the one side and the sea on the other combined with titillating anticipation; they are softly whispering that our journey will be rewarded.

Ploce. Like the light at the end of the tunnel spurting forth or a flower at the top of a tall stalk, the awe-inspiring Ploce unfolds before us; an infinite sea in a setting of grey rocks. It feels as if this place has risen over the rest of the ground in its aspiration to merge with the sky. Rugged rocks cascade down to the water. On our left, the mountain silhouettes the horizon and descends in an impeccably straight line to the sea. On our right is another sharp outline of rocks. This enigmatic place exudes power. Its charismatic character creeps inside us as we, permeating the electronic vibe of the place, come to a halt. Ploce is ever-changing. Only here does the commonly placid Adriatic Sea welter and billow; run high with powerful, thrilling and altogether intimidating waves. We’re scared, yet as always unable to move away - mesmerized by this quintessence of beauty and power.

The sea fades into the distance and reflects the sky so impeccably that we can’t tell the reflection from the essence. We hold our breath so as not to impair the harmony.

Dolphins swim close to the shore and flirt with the rocks; formidable vultures stretch their gaunt necks and strenuously peer into the distance.

The rocks continue further. If we are brave enough more enigmas will expose themselves to us. The rocky range enshrouds the old lighthouse. There’s something miraculous about those tall tower-like edifices that merge so naturally with the seascape; something about their guiding, life-saving mission. A set of stairs leads down from the Lighthouse. We follow it and find ourselves at the foot of a small natural pond, a rill in the rock, naturally fed by the sea. I cannot resist the temptation so slip out my skimpy summer dress and plunge into the desired coolness. Come on, jump in! That’s a dip that has to be experienced. Revived, we continue our Ploce exploration; more secrets are to be discovered. Shortly we see a tiny island, or rather an isolated spiky rock, ragged and sharp.  Like a prodigal son, it broke off the mainland and now reflects contemptuously on it. Our eyes feast on the sight and yet we probably won’t notice the tough beauty it holds in itself. Our attention is seized by a little Orthodox Church perched on the very top of the rock. For centuries people have been trying to solve the conundrum of the Easter Island but Montenegro preserves its own secrets, which are abundant.

We’ll never experience Ploce again the same way we leave it. Every time we’ll discover a new facet of the rocks, the sea, the sky; something we never noticed before, or something which actually had not existed. Uncover your own secret at Ploce and let it be only yours.

The water around the island is emerald green. Eloquent words are flushed away by its beauty. We jump off the rock into its dense, yet transparent, velvet depth.