Mostar, Bosnia – 16 November 2009

We headed north before heading inland to Bosnia- Herzagovinia. Our first stop was at Pocitelj which is partially destroyed, because people just moved away. There is a Mosque and Haman in the small city.

We drove next to the river Neretva, which was aqua in color. The principal industry in Mostar is an aluminum factory. The war destroyed most of the economy of the city, but things are probably picking up a little. Shortly after we got off the bus, we passed the site where a Synagogue is supposed to be built. I really loved the old city. The streets were like cobble stones and not exactly easy to walk. Apparently Mostar was involved in two wars. The first one started in 1991 and was based upon Serbians wanted to form a “greater” Serbia. The second one started in 1993 and was between the Croats and the Moslems, which made little to no sense since there has been significant intermarriage between the groups. Lunch was very good and too much. I did a little shopping in Mostar. I need to pack my suitcase because it has to be out at 3:45 am.

View from my new room in hotel
On the road to Mostar
Pocitelj (C=CH and J=Y)
Pocitelj (Name of Village)
Note Mosque in Background
Haman (Bath house)
Haman
People just abandoned village and buildings fell into disrepair
Kitten wanted to make friends
Back on the road to Mostar
Modern Mostar
Old Bridge as we drove into city
Old Bridge and old city of Mostar
Street was the dividing line with the Croats on one side and Moslems on the other side
Potential Site of Synagogue
Gate around lot
Map of old city
Entrance Gate
Stream running through the middle of Old Mostar
River
Crooked Bridge
"Crooked" Bridge
"Crooked" Bridge - close up picture
Mosque
Tower for call to prayer
Mosque in Mostar
Haman in Mostar
Street Scene
Street Scene in Mostar
View from Old Bridge

View from Old Bridge
View from Old Bridge
In 16th Century Mosque Area
On Old Bridge
Buildings still in need of repair
Old Bridge
Me with Old Bridge in Background
Street Scene
Old Bridge

Cemetery in Mosque Area
Mosque Area
Tower where Muslim call to prayer is issued
Me with old bridge in background
Street Scene
Note Steps on Bridge. Horses needed them to avoid sliding
Steps on Bridge
War Damage

Montenegro – 15 November 2009

We left at 7:30am this morning to head for Montenegro. I was excited about going to Montenegro based upon my reading of Rex Stout novels, which said that the protagonist, Nero Wolfe, was from Montenegro.

We went through the border with no problem. Our guide got out of the bus showed some paperwork and we went through. The first stop was in Kotor. We then stopped in a walled city, whose name I can no longer remember, but I was impressed by what I saw. We next headed up the mountain with multiple hair pin turns. I became slightly ill. I think that my problem was the relatively sudden change in altitude. When we were almost at the top, we stopped for lunch. I got a cheese sandwich and some juice. I only ate half the sandwich because I was feeling queasy. We then went to the Royal Palace which is now a museum. Montenegro had exactly one king, who ruled from the city of Cetinje, which is considered to be the cultural center of Montenegro.

We went down the mountain back to the other side of Kotor Bay, where we took a ferry to the other side saving at least an hour and half of travel time.

After we got back to the hotel, Bette and I went to dinner in the hotel restaurant. When I went to my room, the electricity was really messed up. I couldn’t plug in my computer which needed charging. I wound up having my room changed.

Bay of Kotor in Montenegro

Island with church in Bay of Kotor
Note low lying clouds - Shot from bus
Another Island in Bay of Kotor
Island in Bay of Kotor
Shot from Bus
Along road
Note Rocks





Walled city of Kotor
The walls were built by the Venetians and the Lion of Venice is on the wall.
Clock Tower
Old building dating back to the 16th century
Church whose origins goes back to the 9th century although most of the construction is later
Another church
Street Scene
Well once used
Maritime Museum
Old anchor - reminent of sailing past
Oldest well in town
Church actually in use
Another church
Having coffee in exchange for use of bathroom
Moat around the town
Airport in the distance

Heading up the Mountain
Looking down
Views from the road
Above some clouds
From the road
Above the clouds
From the road
Note the cloud below
ON the hair pin turns
Above the clouds
Stopping for lunch
At the Montenegranian Royal Palace
Signs pointing to distance to other great museums
Town in which Royal Palace is located
Front of Palace
Royal Palace as a museum
Sign with City Name
Heading down the Mountain
View from Bus
On the ferry which took us across Kotor Bay and saved about an hour and a half of travel time
Me on the Ferry leaving the harbor
Another Ferry