Nuggets center Nikola Jokic secured his second consecutive regular season MVP award, surpassing Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo on an all-international podium.

Over the past few seasons, Nikola Jokic, the center for the Denver Nuggets, has emerged as the top big man in the NBA. In June, Jokic’s remarkable journey from being underrated in Europe to becoming a bona fide superstar reached its pinnacle as he clinched the Nuggets’ first-ever NBA MVP award, receiving 91 out of 101 possible votes. However, Jokic’s MVP triumph was quickly overshadowed by the Nuggets’ defeat in the playoffs, as they were swept by the Phoenix Suns, marking their third consecutive postseason exit. While many of his teammates were preparing for vacations in tropical destinations, Jokic had different plans—he returned to his native Serbia, where he was spotted on Wednesday doing something notable.

Serbia’s transition from a parliamentary constitutional republic to a monarchy, with Nikola Jokic as its new king, may seem like a geopolitical joke, but it’s a refreshing departure from the ostentatious displays common in today’s NBA. While many NBA players flaunt their wealth with luxury cars and extravagant lifestyles, Jokic’s choice to travel around his hometown in a personal horse-drawn buggy is a breath of fresh air.

Unlike the cautionary tale of Darko Milicic, who returned to a simpler life running an apple farm in Serbia, Jokic has solidified his status as one of the world’s top athletes while remaining connected to his humble roots. Overall, it’s not a bad way to spend a summer vacation, as long as you watch out for any unexpected horse-related incidents along the way.