2geonomads

Wednesday 14th May 2014

Pleasantly surprised to find that a continental breakfast is included in the room rate so we take our time getting started.

The weather again thwarts us in our attempt to embark on a walking tour of the Old Town and I was particularly disappointed to miss the Galerija 11/07/95, a museum which exhibits the work of Sarajevo photographer Tarik  Samarah in depicting the horrifying events of the Srebrenbrica genocide on 11 July 1995 and its aftermath.

We leave this city without really gaining a feel for its position at the crossroads between the east and the west. Our visit to the local bar with a decidedly Turkish ambience had whetted our appetite to explore further but the thought of getting soaked to the skin a second time in 24 hours did not lreally appeal.

Dzenan kindly suggests an alternative route down south towards Dubrovnik and points out some of the highlights along the way.

On this route we once again call into the small town of  Konjic but this time take time out to view the Old Bridge and stop for coffee and pizza at Restoran Han overlooking the Neretva River ( the same one on which Mostar is sited ).

We proceed south through the river gorge and glorious scenery, now more visible as the weather brightens up. After Mostar we turn east through Blagaj where we come across the very impressive fortress of Herceg Stjepan atop a very deep gorge. Maureen, whose fear of heights make me look like Edmund Hillary, finds this road a little testing but seems to have confidence in the Obese One who has so far carried out the driving duties.

Route takes us across a fairly high plateau and some agriculture lands where live must be incredibly tough for the farmers. Driving this route is for the most part uneventful we are slowed down for a while as two young lambs decide that they want some milk from mum’s teats right in the middle of the road. The canine population of Herzegovina was also almost reduced by one when a crazy hound suddenly decided to cross the road at the last minute ( almost quite literally ! ).

Eventually arrive at Gacko where we pick up the main road to Trebinje. On the shores of a large lake near Bileca Gail spots a large hotel across the other side which she feels may be our hotel for the night. As we draw closer it becomes clear that the last guests probably checked out some decades previously.

Hotel Konak is a very welcome sight after the long drive and we are soon seated in their very traditional restaurant enjoying a lamb roast and local white wine.

A few dramas when the receptionist at the hotel is very reluctant to accept payment in KMs ( Convertible Marks ), the local currency. When she realises that it’s KMs or nothing she seems to become more cooperative. We have come across this problem previously in countries which want to enjoy some of the benefits of trading in Euros ( which is in fact illegal in B&H) but do not wish to being officially part of the Euro zone.

In bed by 10  after doing my blog duty.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret.