I recently returned from 2 week trip around Balkan countries, mostly ex-Yugoslavia. I’ve posted some updates during the trip (with no photos). So here are some more nooks and crannies from this adventure as well as links to some pictures.
In 14 days I managed to squeeze in 7 official countries and one almost country (Kosovo). Starting in Ljubljana I linked to Zagreb, then Belgrade, down to Kosovo, Skopje, followed with nightmare ride to Tirana (read post ‘Sprinter’). From there I went along the coast of Montenegro, then Sarajevo and back to Zagreb. If you look on the map its a nice little round trip. No one would advise to do all this in two weeks (including me), I could have easily spent those two weeks in any of the lovely Balkan country. But I saw this trip as a quick intro to the region, sniffing the Balkan air, and that, believe me, I did in full.
Sarajevo and its bullet holes was really interesting experience. Bosnia historically has had as bad luck as Baltics, but its great to see that Sarajevo has bounced back into action, erasing most (not all) scars from the 90`s. The same goes for Belgrade. When talking to Serbs I see a lot in common with Russians, from another ‘ex-super power’ state that have not yet fully accepted the reality of 21st century. Most people are extremely nice in Serbia, at the same time I had this thought in the back of my had that the same people who are now walking the dogs in the park and leisurely drinking coffee, just 15 years ago the same people took to the guns and all but annihilated their closest neighbours.
This picture of punched up mannequin describes Kosovo really well. Despite some smart outfits and shiny cars, it still has lots of restoration to do to establish the basics.
I’d like to add that my trip was not all doom and gloom, I had some nice chilled days by the cost of Montenegro, which is just as good as South of France, the same Mediterranean sun and sea, only cheaper.
As for Croatia and Slovenia, yes, they are really nice, but just so dull, it could be anywhere in Western Europe, with plenty of smart cafes and tourists in white pleated shorts. I rather choose Kosovo.
Here’s a link to full set of pictures from the Balkan trip.
Posts Tagged 'Balkans'
Taste of Balkans
Published September 29, 2009 Travel Leave a CommentTags: Balkans, belgrade, city, kosovo, photo, sarajevo, Travel
ZB (a.k.a. Zagreb & Belgrade)
Published September 15, 2009 Travel Leave a CommentTags: Balkans, belgrade, girls, spartan, tesla, Travel, zagreb
Few thoughts on past few days I’ve spent here:
Observation 1: Girls, girls, girls, they all come up to 6ft with 4ft of legs on average. Latvian ladies have some serious competition here in Balkans. If any particular woman happens to be below 6ft, at least she can strike a catwalk pose. I guess its some Spartan influence, where they kill all ugly babies at birth, if you look like you could be Olympic sportsman you’re still in with the chance.
Observation 2: Brits come even here and get trashed by 9pm, so no change there; might be something to do with observation 1.
Observation 3: In both cities I’ve visited several statues and monuments for Mr. Tesla, inventor of electricity among other useful things. All Croats claim he’s Croat, all Serbs claim he was Serb, i don’t really care, I’m just happy we do not need to live in the caves anymore.
Ljubljana
Published September 13, 2009 Travel 2 CommentsTags: Balkans, blt, ljubljana, slovenia, Travel, trip
Is it just me, but all my longer travels start with the low and when you think everything is crap, things turn to better. After 12 hour working marathon on Friday, I started my 2 week trip around Balkans, the plan is 7 countries in 14 days. Woke up at 4am on Sat to catch an early plane, only for the flight to be late for 2 hours. Well what can you do, some engine fault they say, went for breakfast at Pret to kill some time. The BLT baguette was nice, only somehow I managed to break one of my tooth, one side of it just split, I guess the bacon was too hard, should sue the bastards. Does not hurt too much, hopefully it can wait. Things like that alone, don’t give me a headache, but when it all happens at once on the first day of what is supposed to be a chill time, it gets to you.
These things aside, the rest of the trip actually is going really well. Ljubljana is great little town, with lots of street cafes, nice riverside, good prices. A bit too nice for my liking, but I’ll get the rough bits later on in the travel, so I’m not too worried.
As Adobe Photoshop is not installed in every internet cafe around globe, the pics will have to wait.
Just arrived in Zagreb today, similar feel, but slightly bigger in size than Ljubljana. Just feels too Western, I was hoping for some action. Waiting for tomorrow.
