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Published: June 25th 2013
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It’s been a few days now since I left Bosnia and Herzegovina. It seems it was over in quite a whirlwind and as it turns out I never did take the road that I said I would. Oh, how quickly plans can change.
The road out of Tjientiste was up and as always I’m glad for a little rest and a stop had thoughtfully been built to rest and take in the beauty of the surrounds. And it wasn’t long before I was joined by others. First came to Poles, Jan and Piotr, also cycling but as always in the opposite direction. They were undergoing a trip of 7 days and covering on average 100km. I take my newly bought hat off to them. Incredible. I cover 100km in 7 days : ) And shortly after, a lovely Dutch couple, together with Milan from Belgrade, joined us too. We were quite an international group sitting there at that tiny little rest stop – all brought together by a table and a couple of seats so strategically placed to enjoy the landscape. What a wonderful way to spend half an hour or so. And also, a way to change one’s plans
too. Jan and Piotr had ridden the road I had been considering previously but decided against and suggested that really, this was not one to miss. Well if they say so…
And, when I got to the turn off I stopped at the restaurant where I sent my 2 other blog entries – feverishly typing away trying to make the most of the wifi and the remaining battery life! So apologies if I don’t answer emails – it can be somewhat difficult at times with limited access to the internet. I hadn’t really planned on eating but well, I saw the word doughnut and ‘meat filled’ and decided that I really couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Unfortunately it didn’t come out as a meat filled doughnuts. Instead it was just a patty of meat filled with ham and some cheese. Apparently it was what I had ordered - there was something definitely lost in the translation from Serbian to English on that menu. Woe me. But apart from that minor misunderstanding the waiters did come into their own by phoning a taxi for me to take me to Foca. Given that I had now decided on a new route
What would Worksafe say of this
Don't know if I would be too keen to work on this site either actually. I really didn’t want to cycle 8km out of my way to Foca and back to change my Konvertible Marks to Euros. So a taxi came, he waited while I changed my money and then drove me back to the restaurant at the crossroad. Perfect. Now ready for Montenegro.
I know if I say it was hot some would point out how cold it is back home. Or say that I shouldn’t complain. But it is just what it is - hot and really rather hard cycling in the heat with all my gear. It so takes it out of me. But, this is where the waiter also told me that I could camp at a place at Batista just before Hum and the border. It is where a number of rafting organisations base their expeditions out of and have bungalows for their rafting participants. And occasional blow-ins like me.
I have had some difficulty in believing people when they tell me things. It’s partially because there is a language difference for sure but I obviously have a long way to go in trusting that people aren’t taking me for a ride as well. So, on that point
I couldn’t understand why the guy from Tara Rafting was trying to say I couldn’t camp because there was a big group of people coming and there was no place. In my eyes all I could see was lots of lush, green grass and lovely flat places to pitch a tent. Instead the pitch was for a bungalow. I later found out why. The grounds were descended upon by two busloads of Serb tourists of varying ages and the lush green grass soon became a soccer field, and the evening a raucous one which included live entertainment well into the night. Ear plugs in. Mind open.
The following morning I set my alarm clock. With this heat I thought it best to make an early start. Earlier than ever before in fact. By 8am I was on the road. Finally. Really, this is the time I should be on the road. Probably even earlier to try and beat the heat.
And so it was, a lovely early start on another lovely (soon to be boiling) sunny morning. Goodbye Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thank you so much for your outstanding introduction to exquisite landscapes, generous people and wonderful mountains. You
View out of my bungalow
My last night in Bosnia & Herzegovina will be remembered.
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