Herzogovina/Montenegro

Having left Dubrovnik after two nights and not reluctantly I might add. We kept being told that all who visit always wan to come back well not me or Bob unless paid for or part of going some where, Just to much on the beaten track for us and not Cheap.

Sent all our surplus gear home today as we are just on the road 

No car. Bus and Shanks’s pony from know on, don’t worry there are plenty of buses.

Writing this from a hostel in the Old Town part of Mostar near the Old Bridge, which was rebuilt with help from UNNESCO World Heritage after being destroyed during the war for no reason just to deflate morale and some minor mind game gains.  And as a result the owners of the hostel are limited to what they can do. Very basic and clean nice young couple owns it. Fantastic view from the roof top patio to the hills and town.

Bullet holes and heavy machine gun impact holes still in the buildings and not the government ones these are just the normal everyday peoples homes. . It must have been literally hell living here and the other towns we have being through. To have your apartment riddled with bullets and Grenades and your friends raped in the street as this was used as a weapon to dishonor and devalue the victim who would then leave but still the end result of ethnic cleansing was achieved. Would have tested the resolve of the strongest. A lot left and never returned some away for a short time. Lots were killed. Know those who were shooting each other are back living together?

The beauty of the town with river and mountains on each side is truly breath taking and we will be a couple of days here just chilling, fishing   some ales and a pre BC fortified City remains .Man has been here for a long time.

Its time to leave Mostar and head up to Sarajevo

Tania at DACA Hostel and Armel at Miturno Adventure are the ones to contact. Have not recommended anyone before so it was a brilliant stay.

Onto the train we went up to Sarajevo .The scenery cant be described just stunning all the way .We arrive at Sarajevo, look out the window, not many getting off another name with Sarajevo on the sign not much of a station for a capital city. So off we head again back in the same direction for a while and then onto another line and past the Sarajevo city sign we were on the way to Zagreb and then the conductor came along and said we had to get off at the next stop and catch the local train back.

Next stop was a Rail Station no platform some very helpful locals, dogs chasing cars in gangs, haircut. beer and cheapest lunch we had had.

Back to Sarajevo we went, did not realize how small it is, Old Town is nice and has a good feel about it a lot has been rebuilt after the war when it was under siege for 4 years and the majority of the town burnt, flattened or damaged by Bombs and artillery fire.

The Bus terminal we left from after finding the correct one is in an area that is under redevelopment both old damaged and brand new side by side. Quite a surreal feeling. The unemployment rate is 30 percent but not as bad as Kosovo at 60 percent

The Bus to Podgorica in Montenegro just beautiful .The road single lane in parts with huge over hangs of rock over the road and large trees perched grimly on the rock face like a rock climber with there roots gripping crevices and cracks and looking like they could fall on you at any time. On the valley side just a shear drop several thousand feet to the river below and in parts just inches to the edge below. A truly beautiful drive the road was definitely under control of the local cows that nonchantly wander along it.

Budva great place to visit we are now in Ulcinj, tourism just coming with bars and shacks being built on the beach and apartments for rent.Lots of Russsians same as Budva also lots of Albainians  live here .

long 12k beach of black grey sand tranquil waters.Very very chilled and beer is cheap.

Mostar from Old Bridge

Old Bridge Mostar

Mostar River full off fish and sewage

The Fishermen

ranquil fishing spot

Random Falls

Water Ballet at is best

Old Ottoman fort view

Add caption

Just keeps running out of the hole in the Hill

300bc fort

Grace

Contemplation

Sun reflection

Nearly dark

Darker

When u forget to get off the rain u rnd up Here

Old Mate and friends

A solitary walk

Sarrejaveo

More bush station

Ready to fall

Bridge

Is the train coming

Gorge Montenegro

Budva Statue

Locals??

Searching for a sandwich

Getting some sun

More artistery

Amber

Just Kids

A Blonde concentrating?

Ulcinj

More Ulcinj

Fishing huts

Local workshop

Getting ready for the crowd

Boats at rest

Driftwood

Fishing

Communist junk

Must have moved

Peace