Category: travel

Visiting Podgorica, Montenegro

On By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

I’d not heard of Podgorica — though it’s the capital and largest city of Montenegro. 

It’s only been an independent nation since 2006 when split with Serbia.

I had no idea what to expect.

Would it be littered with wrecks from the old Yugoslavia and war?

Surprisingly, I found Podgorica welcoming for a western tourist. Good hostel.

Shopping malls are modern. Near Independence Square is a pedestrian-friendly zone of boutiques and cafes. The vibe upbeat.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is new. And very impressive.

The lower section reliefs are deliberately rough hewn — gradually increasing in resolution as you look higher.

I walked over the Millennium Bridge opened 2025.

Here’s the giant billboard greeting everyone getting off a bus.

Grocery stores are well stocked. Prices often 50% or less the cost of what tourists pay on the coast.

Good markets.

I stayed only 1 night — but quite enjoyed Podgorica.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Visiting Kotor, Montenegro

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

Dubrovnik, Croatia, is now one of the most overtouristed cities in Europe, with visitors outnumbering permanent residents by a staggering ratio of up to 36 to 1. 

Still … it’s fantastic.

I crossed the border to nearby Kotor, Montenegro, hoping it would be Dubrovnik light.

I found Kotor just as majestic. BETTER for hiking:

But the promised ~40% lower cost looks to be fake news in 2026. I found it equally expensive. Death by cruise ship.

The old city of Dubrovnik is better. But the fortified city of Kotor is great too, also a UNESCO‘s World Heritage Site.

In any case, if you travel to one, you should visit the other.

Traffic in Kotor is worse. I wished I’d taken a boat from Dubrovnik instead of a bus.

I wandered the old city streets for hours.

The highlight for me was all the cats.

I caught the awful local bus to Perast, a charming little tourist trap nearby.

Perast, Montenegro old town in Kotor Bay in the afternoon.

It’s the jumping off point for Our Lady of the Rocks.

My main memory of this lovely place is a confrontation with an asshole local motorbike punk. Happily, he didn’t throw me in the ocean. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I Have a Drinking Problem

On By Rick McIn food, travelLeave a comment

I like a glass of dry red with dinner — but find myself drinking less and less over the years.

This might help. The cheap wine in Montenegro is Plantaže Vranac. Dark, robust.

Not quite as good as my favourites: Syrah and Malbec. But close.

I carry it in a Diet Coke bottle. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink. 😀

Visiting Zagreb, Croatia

On By Rick McIn anti-smoking, gymnastics, travelLeave a comment

I went back to Zagreb for the excellent European Gymnastics Championships 2026.

I stayed near the historic centre, Ban Jelačić Square.

Nearby is the popular Dolac Market.

This stall-holder didn’t seem to mind the pigeons checking her wares. 😀

Zagreb Cathedral is one of the most important symbols of Zagreb and Croatia.

A March 2020 earthquake did a lot of damage. The Church didn’t reopen to tourists until April 2026.

Full reconstruction of the spires may take another 10 – 15 years.

In China they’d fix it in a month.

One of my big complaints about Europe is that many of the most important attractions are covered with scaffolding.

Saint Mark’s Church is even more evocative for me.

King Tomislav Square greets visitors across from the railway station. This is the Art pavilion.

I walked the Green Horseshoe from here. A U-shaped ribbon of parks, botanical gardens, and fountains in the Lower Town. All that green space is useful as the rest of the city is filled with second hand smoke. About 38% of the adult population of Croatia is addicted. Many of those are chain smokers.

Croatia officially declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. This split led to the Croatian War of Independence, which lasted from 1991 to 1995 as the country fought to secure its sovereign borders.

Since that time, the coastal cities have become BIG tourist destinations.

But the inland capital, Zagreb, is often just a transit hub.

It does have its charms.

The historic buildings are impressive.

Statues are dumb …

… but I like taking photos of them, anyway.

Jogging the streets early morning, you are bound to stumble upon something interesting.

There are pretty spots. Rarely crowded.

When I had 2 nights off, I caught the bus out to nearby Samobor for hiking. Small town Croatia is definitely more relaxing than the BIG SMOKE ➙ Zagreb.

NEW Honda Element in 2028

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

The Honda Element is officially rumored to return, with an anticipated global debut expected to happen sometime in late 2028. 

According to leaked production plans first reported by Automotive News, Honda is reviving the iconic, quirky crossover to target the booming outdoor adventure market.

Personally, I’d love an old (discontinued) USED Honda Element.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

‘Croatia, I Hear It’s Beautiful’ ft. John Malkovich

On By Rick McIn humour, travelLeave a comment

Funny. 😀

YES, John Malkovich does have Croatian roots. His paternal grandparents were Croatian immigrants from the hamlet of Malkovići near Ozalj, Croatia. In May 2026, he was officially granted Croatian citizenship by the government in recognition of his heritage. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

How BEST to Push Your Bike Uphill?

On By Rick McIn cycling, health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

Pro tip ➙ ONLY cycle downhill.

Alternatively, an electric bike is NOT cheating, so long as you pretend to pedal while the motor does most of the work. 😀

In seriousness, I don’t mind the occasional push up the hill. It’s rest and recovery from cycling.

But there are times it’s called hike-a-bike: “pushing, carrying, or shouldering a bicycle over terrain that is too steep, rocky, or muddy to ride“.

Awkward and sometimes agonizing.

I try to minimize these situations.

That photo is from a terrific post on the subject by MILES ARBOUR:

Bikepacking.com – THE ART OF BIKE-PUSHING


Mission Accomplished: SKI ➙ HIKE ➙ BIKE

On By Rick McIn cycling, friends, gymnastics, health & fitness, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Due to Trump’s idiotic Epstein Distraction Forever War, I decided to stay closer to home this Spring.

Made a PLAN … that mostly worked out. 😀

The Skiing was excellent. My best year ever. 12 days at Sunshine.

Hiking great. 17 days in the tent, walking deserts in California and Nevada.

Cycling was the most problematic. But I still made it 11 days on the Trans Canada Great Trail, starting in Vernon and ending up in Fernie (with a busted bike).

What’s next?

Still considering my options.

The only thing fixed for sure is World Gymnastics Championships in Netherlands Oct. 2026.