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Anatomy of a Mostar Bridge Jump

07 26 2007

0 comments
 
bosnia herzegovina
mostar
the europe

 
 
In Mostar, there is the Stari Most which was the old bridge that connected the two parts of the old town, thus the name, due to 'most' meaning 'bridge'. Yeah, I know, not very creative, but it works.
      Anyways, a sport the kids do these days is to jump off the bridge and in to the Neretva River below, which is apparently freezing cold. They don't just do it for fun though and two of them will work the tourists to make a bit of money. One does the hustle and the other does the jump. I don't know how much they make, but I didn't have too much of a problem giving the kid two Konvertible Marks for the performance.
      So, here you see it. He set up, then leans out and makes the plunge. It only takes a couple of seconds and as soon as he is in that water below, we gets out as fast as he can. A bit later, you'll see him back up on top, shivering, ready to do it again. Anatomy of a Mostar Bridge Jump

Slapovi Kravice is Worth a Visit

07 24 2007

1 comment
 
bosnia herzegovina
mostar
the europe

 
 
These are a small set of waterfalls that are near Mostar. Much like visiting Počitelj, you'll probably need a car to see them, since there aren't any buses this way and they're really out of the way. But, if you do manage to find them, you can take a swim in some really fresh water as well as just relax. Despite being in the middle of nowhere, they do have a restaurant and a couple of cafes there, since the locals know this spot, as well as a great number of tourists.
      We spent maybe just an hour there and enjoyed it a lot. While not nearly as expansive as Plitvice or Krka in Croatia, it's still cool and like most things in Bosnia Herzegovina, still free, unlike Croatia, where even city maps cost something from the tourist office these days... Slapovi Kravice is Worth a Visit
The falls are nothing short of lovely.

Počitelj was a Surprise

07 23 2007

0 comments
 
bosnia herzegovina
mostar
the europe

 
 
It's a very small town somewhat near Mostar and while you need to drive to see it, a to visit Počitelj is a nice short trip. While ravished in the war, the town has been very well rebuilt and is apparently home to craftsmen, like stone carvers. You can see one of these guys in a promotional clip on the Bosnia Herzegovina tourism site.
      There isn't a tremendous amount to do there besides climb the old fortress and wander through a town that is distinctly different with its white stone (as opposed to red tile) roofs, but it's really pretty. The Neretva River (which flows through Mostar as well) takes a delightful bend by the town and while really damned cold, if the day is hitting 40C like now, when I'm writing this, it would be a nice spot for a swim. Počitelj was a Surprise
A view over the city and the Neretva River that flows next to it.

Mostar is Cool, but Unfinished

07 22 2007

0 comments
 
bosnia herzegovina
mostar
the europe

 
 
Mostar is a really neat spot to visit. It is full of daytrippers from all over, but I think you should easily spend one or two nights there so that you don't short shrift a visit to it. After all, they have great burek and čevapčići, so that warrants a visit to any place that supply those in great number and high quality. Don't get me wrong, they're not as good as Sarajevo, but they're still damned tasty, especially the burek and pita.
      The old city is simply beautiful. The only downside is that it had to be heavily restored after the war when the Croats and Bosniaks were fighting their very deadly war down there which ultimately ended in no side winning, the old town in ruins, and the beautiful old bridge across the Neretva destroyed by assinine Croats.
      So, this restoration effort has mainly focused on what I term, Tourist Alley that is the stretch that runs out from each side of the bridge. Beyond this, lovely old buildings still sit in ruin and some look like they're just going to crumble further to a point of obliteration.
      The other sad point, which we learned from our pension owners while we were there was that before the war, 70% of the town was comprised of mixed marriages between Croats and Bosniaks. Now, while I assume those marriages must exist in some fashion somewhere, the town is divided. People have traded houses so that there is now a definitive Bosniak section and a definitive Croat section. It's all quite sad really and just stupid.
      But for tourists, go to Mostar. It's ready for you and while the number one spot in the Balkans, in my mind right now, Mostar has a lot to offer as well. Mostar is Cool, but Unfinished
The 'other' famous bridge in Mostar which is sometimes known as the Crooked or Curved Bridge.
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