• Ed Neumann
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  • Ed Neumann

Europe and the Adriatic

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  • Leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina

    May 15, 2018 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So much history here. From our hotel I leaned out to snap a picture of the bridge where Austrian Duke Ferdinand was assassinated. Millions of lives were lost in the ensuing first world war. Standing on the bridge one can't help but think they might hear voices. It's difficult to absorb it all but so fascinating to be where history was made.

    As we depart Sarajevo we pass hills covered in white, spires 5 or so feet tall. They are the
    markers of gravesites of thousands killed in the Bosnian war. They were buried wherever there was open green space, including a stadium where Olympic atheletes competed in 1984, because the official cemetery was in Serbian-held territory.

    The beautiful countryside and smiling, hopeful and friendly people were a joy to visit. Now we travel back to Croatia, visiting Karanac in the northern part of the country before continuing to Zagreb tomorrow
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  • Last Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    May 14, 2018 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Words are a weak way to share the experience of visiting Sarajevo. One must come to truly experience and understand, if even to understand even the basics of a very complex and disturbing political failure.

    Through it all those that suffered most have rebuilt with spirit and hope inspite of the leader's efforts to crush both.

    Last picture is a Sarajevo Rose, the red color faded with time, but the artillery shell in the center marks the place where 70+ civilian lives were lost as they gathered to shop for scarce food.
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  • Amazing

    May 13, 2018 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We spent the morning touring the old part of Sarajevo. Old is not actually an appropriate description as many old buildings were destroyed or significantly damaged during the Bosnian war that sought the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Bosnian Croats and Bosniacs from 1991 to late 1995.

    Many of the buildings damaged have been repaired but we saw many remaining with bullet pockmarks and crumbled walls where mortars and other artillery shells fell.

    We drank beer at Sarajevo Brewry, founded in 1864. The underground spring beneath the brewery was, for many residents, the only source of water during the 4 year siege and many were killed by snipers and artillery attacks as they sought to fill water containers.

    The population where we are staying is predominantly of a moderate Muslim faith tradition tho there are Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish populations as well.
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  • Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    May 12, 2018 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Long day, bus to Mostar and Sarajevo. Three border crossings - leaving Croatia, entering Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina and reentering Croatia 12 miles later and then reentering Bosnia and Herzegovina. So many tourist buses meant long waits.

    Now safely tucked in for the night in Sarajevo's Hotel President.
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  • Old Town and a Familiar Game

    May 10, 2018 in Croatia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We toured grad, or old town, Dubrovnik. Our guide shared the fascinating early history of the Repubic of Croatia, a nation then of diplomacy and trade. It was the first nation to recognize the USA as independent.

    While it looks old, and much is, it was significantly damaged during the Yugoslav wars in the early 90's so much had been repaired and restored.

    Game of Thrones fans may recognize a few locations as scenes from several seasons were filmed here with some off the town serving as King's Landing. Many locals played as extras.

    It is a beautiful city surrounded on three sides by the acute blue, crystal clear waters of the Adriatic.
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  • Still in Dubrovnik

    May 9, 2018 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We had a great walk in a local forest park, sat on hotel room deck, and Barb finally got her swim in the Adriatic sea checked off on her bucket list.

    Tonight we join other members of our tour that arrived today for dinner and tomorrow visit the "Old Town" area of the walled city of Dubrovnik. We have 5 from CA, 7 from Oregon, 2 from Washington and 2 from Colorado.Read more

  • Adriatic Paradise

    May 8, 2018 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    What a wonder-filled day we had! Slept late, walked the promenade around the bay, stopped for a beer and sandwich at the Cave Bar, took a nap, went to dinner, more beer and food and back to.our room for a good night's sleep at 10 pm.Read more

  • Arrived in Dubrovnik!

    May 7, 2018 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    After a delightful and short flight on Edelweis Air we arrived in Croatia and were welcomed by our driver and wonderful Spring weather. We are staying at Hotel Kompas, a modern and comfortable hotel on the coast of the Adriatic sea.

    Hotel room is large compared to typical European ones and our balcony looks put on the beach and water.
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  • More Bern photos

    May 5, 2018 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We can't add more than 6 photos to each footprint per post so here are more from our wonder-filled day in Bern. Also it was the first fully sunny day since our arrival.

  • Bern, Switzerland

    May 5, 2018 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Another fantastic day in Swizerland! A 90 minute train trip from Schwyz found us in Bern where Imelda's daughter, Jeanine, and her partner Oliver live.

    With Imelda and Rische we toured this beautiful city, historic sites, including their Capitol building, got a fantastic history lesson and, of course, shopped.

    We loved how our hosts insisted on stopping every hour or so for coffee, beer and a small snack. Most memorable stop was for a beer and snack at Albert Einstein's home.

    Last stop was the Rose Garden obetlooking old Bern city. Ed had a chance to discuss relativity with Albert and suggest he square the value of "c" to make his theory work.

    At days end Jeanine and Oliver hosted us in their home for dinner. Oliver made fantastic civiche then grilled chicken and wurst (sausage) on their apartment's deck. Wunderbar!

    A fast walk to the bus stop got us back to the train station barely in time for the last train back to Schwyz and we were back just after midnight. Thank goodness for Swiss obsession with being on time.
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  • Great day in Switzerland.

    May 3, 2018 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We traveled 45 minutes by train through the beautiful Swiss countryside to the city of Lucern with our friends, Imelda and Risch. Shopping and sightseeing were the first order of business and there was no shortage of shops. From Swiss Army Knives, made in Schwyz, to watches, cheese and of course, chocolates, it was all together, nestled amongst historical buildings, some over 500 years old.Read more

  • BA 48

    April 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    On board in British Airways First, thanks to Alaska mileage program. Immediate glass of champagne to celebrate departure. Next stop London.

  • Trip start
    April 30, 2018