Yesterday I took several busses, from Piran to Ljubljana, from here to Zagreb. Luckily we’re a bit early so I can still catch the bus to Sarajevo. At around midnight I arrive and check in at the nearby hotel. After a good sleep I visit Sarajevo. Along the river Miljacka old Austria-Hungarian buildings, the Ashkenazi Synagogue and the Academy of Fine Arts. Into town the Orthodox Cathedral and the Ottoman Gazi Husrev Bey’s Mosque and around it the bazaar. The Bosnians are most proud of their Ottoman History and this part of town is for sure the most lively. A visit to the Srebrenica Museum or Gallery 11-07-95 and the Yellow Fortress for a view over the city.
I booked a day trip to Mostar for today. Somehow they forget to pick me up and after a call the destination will be Jajce today and Mostar tomorrow. A driver stops and takes me to the group. He is a skillful driver and knows all the detours in town. Annoyingly, a police car is in front of us and he decides to take a shortcut. We enter a tunnel, in the wrong direction, and before entering we got stopped by a police car in the opposite direction. Some talk and we have to turn the car, but no fine. The group, Clara and Christin, are waiting at the restaurant along the route and now we’re on the way to Travnik, with its famous Lutvina Kahva traditional coffeehouse. The Medieval castle, which we visit later on, gives a good view over the surroundings. The next stop is the Pliva waterfalls, a series of small waterfalls in a green surrounding with a blue lake and a bridge crossing to the other side. Most amazing is the stop at the Pliva watermills. A series of small wooden mills in the water streams. What a view. On the way back we stop at the high waterfalls of Jajce. We enter Jajce via the Travnik Gate, go into the underground Christian church and catacombs and see the remains of the citadel. Back in Sarajevo we decide to have dinner in the Ottoman part of town at Nanina Kuhinja. The entourage and food makes it rememberal, like the good company.
Today the van is in time and we’re of to the south. In Konjic a short stop at the old bridge over the Neretva, which reflects beautifully in the water. Nice views along the road and a visit at the amazing Kravica Waterfalls. A bit touristy, with all the restaurants, bars and swimming people. Still a must see. With Brook and Brian of the group I have a cold drink in the shade. It’s 37 degrees Celsius today. In Pocitelj the guide tells about the Ottoman Sisman Ibrahim Pasa Mosque, but the remains of the nearby Hamam is more interesting. At the spring of the Buna river the Blagaj Tekke is situated nicely against the cliffs. Last stop is the world famous Old Bridge in Mostar, from the Otoman period. Beautiful picture and nice old town around. No divers today.
A last view of Sarajevo and then to Serbia.
