Blogs from West, Serbia, Europe - page 21

It took us awhile to cross Serbia, then changed currency to Dinar. Several things we noticed since crossing from Croatia, the people seem rather unfriendly, at least the ones we met at service stops, we have to pay for toilet for the 1st time and they keep shortchanging us everytime we buy something, it made us think maybe they are miserable at their work. It was a shock to us when we pas through Belgrade, when we saw shantytowns, I thought you see them in Asia or Latin America or Africa but not in Europe, and the state of housing is really poor for the most part. Then in the evening for our night stop we stayed in this posh looking Russian style hotel, wide spaces in the lobby etc. only when we got to ... read more

We didn't plan on heading to Serbia, we were going to Pogoricia (Montenegro’s capital) as it was quite close to Sarajevo. On finding out that it’s an 8 hour bus ride and the same time train ride to Belgrade we chose to continue our trip via train with Emma as she couldn’t do without the continuous New Zealand accent teasing. : What to say about Belgrade. Well I’m sorry to say, not much. The place was polluted, it smelt and I just really didn’t get much out of it. We grabbed a decent enough hostel and headed out to see the sights. Another walled city that wasn’t quite as complete as all the others we had come cross on our travels, nowhere really spoke much English so we pointed to certain items on menus for ... read more

Sunday March 4. What a difference a day makes! I didn't start until 8 am but the roads were flat and in reasonable condition. The wind was behind me and I ate up the kilometres at 25 - 30 kms/hr. I was in Belgrade by 10 am and made for Smerderov. At this point the road is confusing passing through steel mills and other heavy industry. I was given some good directions and headed for Velika Plana. After 120 kms I began looking for somewhere to stay but without success so I pressed on finally finding a motel in Lapovo just as it was getting dark. I was the only guest. I had covered jst over 150 kms. Monday March 5. The road runs next to the motorway and has not been repaired in decades. It ... read more

Well after 12 hours in a place no-one could claim to understand it, or it's people. I accidentally spent this much time in Serbia, then deliberately 24h in Montenegro. What I do want to say is that the Slavik states, in particular Serbia, have always been in dispute. fighting has never been far from these people (WW1 started here). Throughout history these states have been amalgamated and broken apart, often with serbia in control. Today they are almost completely separated - Montenegro voted and gained independance in May this year, and the Serbs are currently having a referendum as to whether Kosovo should be allowed to break off as well. I don't know how this'll work, I understand the majority of Kosovar people want to, but there are far more in Serbia. If the vote is ... read more

Photos of our family and friends in Belgrade and surrounds.... read more