Time is flying by, and somehow, our second month in Kotor (and 8th month in the Trailblazer program) has already come to an end. It was a month packed with school adventures, emotional moments, and unforgettable memories, both in Montenegro and beyond.

👉 Click here if you missed the Global Wizard's first month in Kotor

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School Projects

Yuna and Hanne have been hard at work at school. In the mornings, they worked on their place-based learning projects, creating a sanctuary based on the myths of Kotor, incorporating architecture, math, history, science, and language.

Both are also deep into their Boundless projects, something each student can choose themselves each cohort. Hanne chose to make a model of a typical Montenegrin house with materials she can find here, and Yuna to create a video of the entire Trailblazer year together with one of her classsmates. We’re excited to see the end result by the end of June. It’s been amazing to watch their creativity and independence grow with each challenge.

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A Trailblazer Adventure to Durmitor National Park

Besides the fieldtrip to the mosaics of Risan and the maritime museum of Perast, the highlight of the month for most Trailbalzers was without a doubt the Trailblazer overnight field trip to Durmitor National Park.

Durmitor National Park is known in Montenegro for it’s amazing natural beauty and the teens set off for their overnight stay together in a cozy mountain house near the park. It was cold, much colder than what we were used to in Kotor, but they braved it with layered clothes, warm socks, and lots of laughter.

Despite the chilly temperatures, they did a beautiful hike around the stunning Black Lake, surrounded by tall pine trees and sharp peaks. In between the hikes, they shared cozy moments in the house, playing games, eating meals together, and strengthened their friendships.

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A beautiful surprise was planned for the teens while they were there: each parent wrote a personal letter to their child. These letters were given to the teens during a quiet moment, creating space for reflection, emotion, and connection. It was a touching gesture that many of them will remember for a long time, especially in the midst of their growing independence. And they all wrote a letter back to their parents as well.

When they returned to Kotor, we came together as a community for a potluck dinner at the Education Center. Everyone brought a dish, the kids shared stories from the mountains, and the place buzzed with warmth, laughter, and full hearts. It was the perfect way to reconnect after a big adventure.

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A Road Trip Through Bosnia, Croatia, and Albania

May was also a month of exploring the Balkan with our family and our old VW bus. We kicked off the month with a long weekend to Bosnia and Croatia.

Crossing the border into Bosnia felt like stepping into a different world. Our first stop was Trebinje, a peaceful town with a charming old center and riverside cafes, perfect for a slow start. Then we drove on to Stolac, a lesser-known gem that completely surprised us with its Ottoman bridges, hidden waterfalls, and tranquil vibe. Next came Blagaj, famous for its Dervish monastery perched at the base of a cliff beside the emerald waters of the Buna River. And finally, we reached Mostar, which turned out to be one of the most interesting towns we’ve ever visited. Not only because of its beauty, but also its history during the Yugoslavian War.

After Mostar, we crossed into Croatia and spent a day wandering around Dubrovnik. It’s no wonder this walled city has become so famous. The views from the fortress walls are simply jaw-dropping, the atmosphere is very welcoming and it’s simply fantastic to visit.

During the week-long mid-cohort break, we went on a road trip to Albania together with another Trailblazer family. What a great country! The mountains, the historical Ottoman cities, the crystal-blue waters, the food, the friendly people, Albania has a lot to offer. We hope to come back one day to do some hikes in the northern mountains of Albania.

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Birthday Celebrations

During the month of May, an incredible amount of kids and parents celebrated their birthday (it felt like it was half the cohort). Our biggest celebration was for our oldest daughter Yuna, who turned 15 on May 9th.

Together with two of her classmates, Sofie and Ayana, who both turned 15 in the same week, we hosted a big party for the entire community on the beach. It was a great party and we celebrated late into the evening. The biggest surprise? Yuna’s grandmother flew in from Belgium to join the celebration. Seeing the joy on Yuna’s face when she saw her was truly heartwarming.

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Outdoor Adventures with Boundless

And if that wasn’t enough yet, we also attend a couple of other exciting activities this month, organized by Boundless Life. One was the hike to Vrmac Castle and a mysterious tunnel from the early 1900s.

Another highlight was Heleen’s boat trip to the stunning Blue Cave, a hidden submarine tunnel from the Yugoslav era, and the famous Our Lady of the Rock island in Perast.

It’s hard to believe we’re heading into our final month in Kotor already. After the busy but fantastic month of May, we can’t wait to see what the last month of our Trailbalzer journey will bring!

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