Mostar

Bosnia is my second non-EU country and my virgin passport finally gets a stamp again! 🎉
Before crossing the border, I undergo the obligatory security check for prohibited imported goods. A quick check that I'm not carrying any stray dogs, handguns or drones... alright.
As always, my familiarisation with the new culture begins just after the border. Every time, I'm particularly attentive and try to quickly get an idea of the 'situation', i.e. find out how people react here, how much I have to look after myself and my belongings and the like. Once again, there are no major differences and I quickly feel at ease.

In the afternoon, the sun comes out for a short while and I spread out my tarpaulin to dry. I hear a man shouting from the balcony of a nearby detached house. He says something that sounds like 'beer' - but it's only just after 11 o'clock 😯. Eventually I understand that he wants to invite me for a drink - and without further ado I sit on the swing in his driveway and eat sandwiches and fruit. I am introduced to the family and give an insight into my journey - with little pictograms and drawings we overcome the language barriers and have a lively discussion, which ends with him test riding my bike for a few minutes and firmly refusing to consider travelling on a bike like that. 😁

Finally, I continue on to my first stopover in Bosnia - Mostar.
Anyone who has been following my travel blog in Morocco already knows the story of Dolph. I met him in Seville and, after several months without contact in Morocco, found him again in one of the biggest cities and one of the biggest souks. =)

The story repeats itself when I check into a hostel in Mostar. I meet Aun, a Malay cyclist, with whom I have a good chat.
After shopping, we return to the hostel and Caro, whom I had already met in Budapest, is sitting there.

The three of us take a look at the city centre, which is admittedly tiny. My two-day stay here is definitely too much of a good thing, as you've seen the most beautiful corners of the city within half an hour and the weather isn't really inviting either.
There's nothing left to do but photograph Bosnia's most famous bridge at all times of day and in all weather conditions.Read more