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Lonerider takes Arrunya on her first big date....The Balkans
This trip has been along time coming for me but I have only just been able to fit it in.
I am missing my life in Thailand and my partner, Ohmmy, but I can not go back to BKK yet due to one thing and another so what better way to spend my time than to ride into Europe for a few weeks or so before flying back out to Thailand for Christmas and New Year. For those of you who have read my other ride report you will know that I rode around Northern Thailand and Laos for 30 plus days starting the middle of December last year. Well I fell in love with the place and the people. :D Apart from about 5 weeks in the UK I have been there since I did my trip. So while Ohmmy is working at the Restaurant I will be galavanting around on Arrunya in Europe. Hope she is up to the task! (the bike that is). Mind you saying that, it will be damn sight warmer in BKK than the Balkans at this moment in time! :freezing: I was going to start doing the ride report from the Hull to Zeebrugge Ferry just in case!?……..but whilst I am sat just waiting to go now (tomorrow) I thought I would start it now. My return is not due till the 05 Dec 2015 so no great rush. Just under 8 weeks of travelling, awesome. This was booked direct through the P&O site Hull To Zeebrugge | Overnight Crossing With Cabins | P&O Ferries - UK Wayne |
The rough plan is to ride to Dusseldorf from Zeebrugge and take the overnight Motorail from Dusseldorf to Vienna.
Booked through, ÖBB travel portal I am a bit disappointed with them as I messaged them 4 days ago now with reference to booking on the day in case my plans changed...as of yet I still have not had a reply. So I will be turning up on speck and hopefully getting on. :thumbdown: Once there I am intending on riding south through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia (so I can visit some places which I saw in 1993/1997) then if I have time and weather permitting I will go into Macedonia ( I was there in the late 90’s also) I have sorted out some cold/wet weather gear so I am hoping that all will be good. An old saying from my military days….Any fool can get cold and wet, the art is to stay warm and dry. We will see and time will tell! I will be hoping to keep this report live as I did with the last one but the wifi might be lacking some days as I could be in the middle of nowhere in my tent doing a good impression of Scott of the Antarctic, :freezing: I have logged on to the Camp in my Garden site but the further South you get the less there is, so wild camping may be in order Quiet, friendly and affordable garden campsites - Campinmygarden.com Some of the kit I will be taking along which I have bought for the trip Vango 3 man tent, I like the room and only a few grams more https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/tent...nt-pd-7206.php Treat Lite2 Motorcycle comfort seat from a pressure care specialist. New Treat Lite2 Motorcycle Comfort Seating Range Dragonfly Multifuel Stove MSR Stoves The above 3 I have placed on the Equipment review Board and will update as and when Ortlieb Rack Pack, bright yellow, size XL, 89ltr Ortlieb Rack Pack Travel Bag - X Large | Evans Cycles Heidenau K60 tyres, taking them along and will change in Ljubljana, not much tread left on my Enduro 3 Sahara tyres Heidenau K60 & K60 Scout I was going to buy a Therma Rest mat to sleep on but I don’t have an endless stream of cash now I am networking so I am taking my Army Roll Mat, used them for years so another 8 week won’t make much difference! My sleeping bag is a Softie 12, had it a few years now but I know its a good bag. I am also taking Softie Cold weather top and bottoms, again Military issue, but I know they work. They weigh nothing and compress in stuff sacks so don’t take up room. Thermal top and bottoms are packed too. Ummm, more layers than an onion springs to mind I have the RST Pro Series Adventure suit and a Shoei Hornet helmet. On my feet I am wearing the Forma Adventure Waterproof Boot, But taking a pair of Sealskinz just in case. haha Electronics carried :- GoPro Hero 4 Black Apple 5s, which I will be using for photos also Samsung Duel Sim phone (which is my Thai phone) so I can use local Sim Cards Mac Air 13" (which I had on my last trip) Garmin Montana 600 with the OSM maps on the SD card I also bought this so I can change my Montana on the go and also charge my phone via the USB slots, tried it and it works a treat. Buy GARMIN High Speed Universal USB GPS Sat Nav Charger – with In-Car Connection | Free Delivery | Currys I have mounted my Go-Pro on the side of the bike as it will not go on my helmet due to the venting ridge in the middle top. The upside to having it where it is is that I can see when its turned on/off and recording. I just hope the pad with remain stuck on the Acerbis, it was my last one. The bike is now packed and good to go, less the Mac Air which I will pack in the morning Roll on tomorrow :D:funmeteryes: Wayne |
Hi Wayne - good to see youre alive and kicking. Your bike looks all good and ready to go...:thumbup1:
I wish you a interesting and safe journey down to the Balkans although it sounds cold down there. Thailand is much hotter you know.... ;-) I am in Thailand right now waiting for my bike being shipped over from Dili - East Timor to Darwin - Australia. Will fly down to pick it up next week. Had more than 3 months around in Indonesia and wow what a country! The traffic is absolutely horrible though. Didnt really like the Heidenaus, very stiff, not very grippy, little if any feedback and in the end they rear had huge cracks around the knobbies after 12-13 k kms and I had to replace them. But I see that many ither likes them however... Good luck mate! |
Hi Kurt
Thanks I bet that was an adventure and glad to hear you are ok my friend. You go steady in Oz and have a great time. I am looking forward to it. Also looking forward to the warmer climate in BKK when I get there for Christmas. Hope the bike is going ok? It seems a life time away since our ride out in Laos earlier this year. You take care and enjoy it Wayne |
Look for a DRZ400
G'day Wayne,
I'm in Georgia until the end of October and then heading west so keep an eye out for an old bloke on a DRZ400S coming towards you in Greece Croatia etc. |
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ride safe Wayne |
Day 1 Balkans Trip
Day 1 Balkans Trip
Set off from my home town and ride to Hull ready to catch the ferry to Zeebrugge, Not a long journey, its about 27 miles. Due it being an evening sailing I did not have to set off too early. I got fed and watered before I set off. I also have a breakfast booked on the boat so I have a good feed in me before my ride to Dusseldorf to catch the Motorail to Vienna. After giving OBB grief on my first post I eventully got a email from them this morning apologising for the late reply, anyway to cut a long story short I booked over the phone and paid 174 Euro (£129) for a single journey from Dusseldorf to Vienna. Thats for me in a 4 bunk shared compartment and Arrunya on the flatbed. Hope she will be ok :rofl: I am more bothered about my kit coming off?! The bike is quite heavy and I do not even have a full tank yet. Also the front end is quite light. Maybe a full tank of fuel will sort that? I will be glad when I get my new tyres on in Slovenia then that will lower my Ortlieb bag down a bit and I can also bring it a bit further forward. https://i.imgur.com/FO2Jp3Fl.jpg Setting off, courtesy of my mother https://i.imgur.com/g7JPVqcl.jpg The start mileage https://i.imgur.com/mZ9nmsml.jpg Waiting to check in https://i.imgur.com/OB1CIaul.jpg Waiting to board https://i.imgur.com/fzzRCSOl.jpg The Room, hope I don't have to share! Thats all for now, catch you all in Europe bier Wayne Oh yeah and I forgot to add...I have spilt coffee down the front of my Grey 2014 Donington HUBB meeting t-shirt and I don't exactly have the biggest wardrobe of clothes with me :oops2: ,great start and we have not even set sail yet :rofl: Wayne |
Have a goodun mate .....was there last year :thumbup1:
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Thanks Phil Just got to Düsseldorf, waiting to get the train to Vienna Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while having a cold beer |
Mind these
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a...o/IMG_2062.JPG And hope its a bit drier https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/IMG_2028.JPG |
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Day 2 Balkans Trip
Day 2 Balkans Trip
Well what a day. It started out with a big boys breakfast, full fry up, fruit, tea, fruit juice. Just what I needed to get me through the day. Getting off the Ferry was ok. https://i.imgur.com/7OLGevQl.jpg Leaving Hull https://i.imgur.com/7CVIiOzl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ORWyCbEl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/M55nKvsl.jpg Waiting to Disembark SatNav set and I was off on the Autobahn towards Dusseldorf. The weather was cloudy but there was no rain. Little did I know that 50 miles down the road the heavens were to open, haha, the first leg in mainland Europe and I am getting drenched. Oh well it was a good time to check out my gear. So I stopped at the nearest petrol station, filled up Arrunya with some much need juice and put on my wet weather gear comprising of an all in one rubber romper suit and some gortex military issue over mittens. It was put through its paces for the next 100 miles….and it worked a treat, so now I know I can stay dry…..bonus However the ride was not very comfortable due to having the tyres on the bike, there was no room to move about on the seat. Not the best idea I had for this trip. |
When I got to Dusseldorf I found the Hauptbahnhof ( train station), once I was happy with that I went on to find the motorcycle shop where I wanted to go and look at one of the Enduristan tank bags. Whilst I was there I sweet talked them in to putting my new tyres on. They said no at first as they only fit tyres which they order in. But I was buying the tank bag on the proviso they fitted the tyres. Job done….tyres fitted, new tank bag on and more room on the bike.
I ended up buying the 3S https://www.motopabst.eu/index.php?np=164 https://i.imgur.com/vR11m31l.jpg Getting the new tyres https://i.imgur.com/CeUAc0cl.jpg Then it was back to the station, when I got there, which was at around 1715hrs I went to the information desk, they were helpful to the extent they told me where to go on a map and that I had to be there for between 1800 and 1900hrs. Great, that meant that I had time for some food and a coffee, so currywurst and a slice of pizza with a coffee it was to be. Very good indeed. https://i.imgur.com/IiyDQedl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iH7UGZWl.jpg At the station, spot the coffee and pizza https://i.imgur.com/ZwdCSPCl.jpg |
Then the fun began, OBB (the Austrian Train Company) do not have an office in the Train Station so you have to deal with DB to find out what is going on. The information desk told me where to go and what time to be there so off I went. I got to where they told me to be, no one there, so I hung around till till about 1915hrs then rode back to the Main part of the station. There is a information button to press so you can speak to someone which is situated at the DB Auto Hug, (where they load the vehicles) so I kept ringing and the bloke on the other end kept hanging up on me as he spoke no English and my German is a bit rusty, he just was not interested in helping me at all. So back at the main station, i went back to the information desk and they had changed shift, haha just my luck, the bloke they was not interested apart from telling me where I should be, which was where i had just come from. At this moment in time I was starting to have a sense of humour failure, all I wanted was a bit of help and no one gave a toss.
So I went back outside and thankfully there were a couple of DB security guards stood outside talking, so i ask them if they could help me, with my bit of German and his bit of English he got me sorted out. Time for another coffee before going back round to the Auto Hug. When I got round there it was about 2015hrs and there was someone there this time. Got the bike on the train and found my carriage. It took me two trips to get all my stuff of the bike and in to my compartment. I had to take everything off except my panniers. But anyway all is sorted and I am on the train on my way to Austria as I am typing this. There is no restaurant car but you can get tea and coffee. But on the plus side I have got my compartment to myself Its been a long wet and wind swept day but all in all a good one. Time for a drink, a sleep then wake up in Austria. https://i.imgur.com/O95sFkrl.jpg Waiting to board the train https://i.imgur.com/X8gj3Aul.jpg My compartment Wayne |
Nice one mate , hope the weather picks up at the other end :thumbup1:
We had a bit of drizzle in Slovenia :rain: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...o/IMG_1991.JPG |
Lonerider takes Arrunya on her first big date....The Balkans
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A bit of drizzle haha, it's bloody persisting it down at the moment, still got about 50 mile to do before I get to Slovenia lol Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while having a cold beer |
Hi Wayne good to see ur back on the road mate. When you get to Slovenia the Vrsic pass is a must if its still open. I went in June this year and there is a lovely little campsite on the Soca riverside approx half a mile on the left as you leave the pass. Cant remember the name off hand.
There is also another pass Hope the wrist is holding up with the bike vibration and or absence of your Tai lifestyle :rofl: Safe ride mate... PS back in June it was 35 degrees in Slovenia and hotter in Coatia. We were preying for some rain to cool us down :D Cheers Bones |
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Good to hear from you, I have more chance of been on the next moon landing than getting 35 degrees now :rofl: Just got to Maribor in Slovenia after a very wet day, think its also in for tomorrow! I will have a look for that pass, where does the pass start? The wrist is fine and if if isn't it will be getting sorted in Dec when I am back over there :rofl::innocent: Cheers mate Wayne |
The jetsteam doesn't care
Just a bit of cheer;
There is a largish area of high pressure centred over northern Europe at the moment and for the foreseeable future; in weather forecasting terms the latter means about 5 days or thereabouts. As a consequence, the jetstream is split north and south of the high pressure and is dishing out heavy rain all over places in southern Europe, especially on the west side, in the vicinity of Portugal, and the eastern mediterranean, especially in the Balkans. The weather in the UK remains fine for the foreseeable, all because of that pesky high pressure; an Indian summer no less. Got to love the jetstream. |
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I hope they send some of the Indian Summer this way haha Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while having a cold beer |
Day 3 Balkans Trip
Day 3 Balkans Trip
Vienna to Maribor I got off the train for about 0815hrs and re packed the bike after lugging all my stuff off the train. Then I was on the road. First stop was to get some fuel and a coffee before I started the 150 odd mile ride to Maribor in Slovenia. Had a bit of fun at the petrol station. https://i.imgur.com/sbFgHbXl.jpg I laid the bike down, I filled up with fuel and parked it up outside the shop/cafe bit of the petrol station whilst I went in for a coffee. When I started to move my bike back (i wasn’t sat on it) I slipped on the petrol/diesel on the ground and slid away from the bike, so Arrunya was lying down…I know, no photos, it didn’t happen…all I will say is that it was heavy picking it up again. Good start to a wet day |
It was a very wet day, it bleeding rained all the way there, thankfully my kit held out. What I will say at this point is that the Forma Adventure Boots are great, dry feet all the way. Although it was raining the riding was good, I have the Montana set to avoid Motorways/Autobahns so I pretty much takes me the back roads. It may in some cases be a bit longer or slower but far more enjoyable. I stopped in Wiener Neustadt at got a few photos but today has just been riding as its a PITA to take your kit on and off in the wet.
Although there was not a lot to see due to low cloud or mist the riding was still good. Even though it was raining it wasn’t cold. https://i.imgur.com/4meu4Wbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0pKPJt3l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UBbszzMl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/C6wGt3Kl.jpg Even the Police Building has some nice architecture https://i.imgur.com/we3a6Kbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Ktbiq9Fl.jpg |
I got to Maribor at about 1500hrs and my kit was soaked. I, by chance, found the Information desk in the middle of town and asked for a hotel, mainly to dry my kit out over night. So I was pointed in the direction of the place where I am now…The Orel Hotel/UNI Hostel. Off I went in the direction given, ended up riding through and round and round the pedestrian only zone of the shopping area, I was getting some funny looks but I couldn’t find the place. This old bloke stepped out in front of me and asked me where I was going (well I guess that what he had said) so I pointed to the map and he pointed me in the right direction. Eventually got there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maribor https://i.imgur.com/aQuErA8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7FkTawHl.jpg My room at the moment looks like a laundry shop with clothes all over the place drying out, ready to get wet again tomorrow, no doubt! https://i.imgur.com/StixwfUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iOqrYWzl.jpg The room is good and they have a big garage with parking for about 20 vehicles so Arrunya is tucked up safe and dry. The Orel Hotel, Maribor, Slovenia, N46.56003° E15.64767° Some views around the town when I went out for some food. https://i.imgur.com/lmnNHEGl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/serkl44l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Jvzwoe3l.jpg I found a nice place for some food and they brew their own beer, dark, lager and green! https://i.imgur.com/8ZAxohml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eH3BQGjl.jpg The Green Beer Hopefully heading further into Slovenia tomorrow, off to try and meet up with Endurofly Wayne |
I'm late, but I'm along for the ride once more :thumbup1:
Safe & hopefully dry travels Wayne :rain: :scooter::stormy: |
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Wayne |
Day 4 Balkans Trip
Day 4 Balkans Trip
Maribor to Nova Gorica, Still in Slovenia and it’s still raining. But I managed to catch a bit of sun today and could even take my all in one Romper Suit off in the later stages of the ride. Maribor to Nova Gorica |
When I left Maribor I decided to take the back roads, but they were still very wet as the rain had just stopped so I was taking the sharp bends very carefully and was not enjoying it very much ( I am still a bit dubious after my off on diesel in Laos) So I went on to the Motorway for a bit and I was glad i did because I had yet another down pour. once passed the capital city I got back on the back roads which were dry and made for good riding.
https://i.imgur.com/gKhggXZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/obET0Brl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MjRtyepl.jpg But the further I traveled towards Nova Gorica the better the weather became and eventually the sun came out again. This time it stays out and I could take off my waterproof gear and air off my bike gear. https://i.imgur.com/Pzrvkynl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XHPXDzvl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LkYfZl9l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EDmVjddl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uGnM8gSl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XOcoTySl.jpg |
When I got to Nova Gorica I got in touch with Mito (endurofly) who had kindly offered to put me up for a bit and take me out for the day tomorrow. So I sat and had a coffee while i waited for him.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Gorica https://i.imgur.com/Bb8FUtil.jpg https://i.imgur.com/x3J9TdTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/02fkr0Wl.jpg Once Mito turned up we went and had some food before going to his home which is where I am typing this. https://i.imgur.com/YvdvqI5l.jpg Tomorrow we go and visit some great places which are where I had plotted to go in the planning stage of this trip, looking forward to it Wayne |
Day 5 Balkans Trip
Well what a great day, Mito (endurofly) and I did a big loop in Northern Slovenia and there weather was very good all day.
Day 5 Local area to Nova Gorica |
Firstly a big thanks to Mito for giving me a guided tour and for putting me up (or was that putting up with me?)
When we set off we followed the River Soca north from Nova Gorica we were heading towards Lake Bohinisko, the roads were great and we climbed and dropped a few times before we got there. The advantage with going with Mito was that we took small roads and tracks which I would never have been on had I just being following my GPS. Once at the lake we stopped and had a coffee along side the lake. https://i.imgur.com/OsHlOqdl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Gpb5P8al.jpg Mito on his TT600 https://i.imgur.com/vwZVFDWl.jpg Getting higher and higher https://i.imgur.com/wlEIXtbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/PPdAQt8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GWczhp8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NXnapYRl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/l1hp0cnl.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bohinj |
Next up was the ride to Lake Bled, in the middle of the lake is an Island with a church on it, also in the background on a hill was a castle. A very picturesque place to visit. Again we stopped for a coffee and come special cake which is native to Bled, it is a Creme Slice and very tasty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bled https://i.imgur.com/i96wHppl.jpg Bled https://i.imgur.com/yFQ1fdZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oo14zIXl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sdtDgdsl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vUVRHn2l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FZXzOL7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uZ7TbIZl.jpg Creme Slice, delicious |
From there we headed to the Vrsic Pass and at the top you had a great view of the Triglav, the highest Mountain in Slovenia. What a view and what a road, it was really good, the Mountain looked spectacular covered in snow.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vršič_Pass https://i.imgur.com/ldo0WaLl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ABdB8EQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5XtVkkal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DfpmWKal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GtEjShGl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gJ6Q8k3l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/L4Zy7K7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qemsaqMl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vhPI6Erl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uYC54r9l.jpg |
Once we got to the top it was the good ride down the other side to visit Kluze Fortress which is steeped in history.
The Kluže Fortress is a fort near the town of Bovec in northwestern Slovenia. The fortress was built in 1472 near Bovec on the road between Cave del Predil and Carinthia. It likely original purpose was defence of Friuliagainst the Turks. In the course of the 16th century Bovec came under Austrian authority as a result of the wars between Venice and the Habsburgs. However, for the time being it remained as an ecclesiastical dependence of Ciudad and Aquileia. At the end of the 18th century it was entirely under Austria's administration, and remained so until 1918. In 1796 and 1797 fighting took place around the fort, as Napoleon's army pushed through the Koritnica gorge. In 1903 part of Bovec was destroyed by a fire. What remained standing, was ravaged in World War I, when the Italian-Austrian front (Battles of the Isonzo) crossed through the valley as the battle cut from north to south. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kluže_Fortress https://i.imgur.com/thfjVskl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JFLB3C0l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oiHrjZZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rb4fCqal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qgMbBzfl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XyZK8Sql.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4SLrbVll.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wMobE1nl.jpg |
Once we left there we went to a little village near Kobarid and stopped at a restaurant, I had Jota Klobasa, which is cabbage and potatoe soup with sausage, very tasty indeed. Then for dessert we had another local food, Kobariski Strukelj, which was extremely tasty.
https://www.tasteatlas.com/kobariski-struklji https://i.imgur.com/EHB0B1Vl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CaoTbu4l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2wUZjJ4l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/B9zc0R4l.jpg |
We then rode back towards Nova Gorica but Mito had a nice surprise for me, instead of following the valley we went over the top and most of it was unpaved roads and tracks, Arrunya coped very well and it was really good to be up on the pegs working the bike, it is the first time I have done a great distance off a paved road and it went well. The Heidenau tyres did there job.
https://i.imgur.com/ewgVYUJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/34R9b9kl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/IA19E5zl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/655JYlal.jpg Wayne |
OUTSTANDING :D make me see how much i missed when i was there ......gotta go back :thumbup1:
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Thanks for the compliments Phil Glad you are enjoying it Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while having a cold beer |
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Not a bad writing style - keep on improvising on the routes! Glad you have got some decent weather also, if only for seeing the views and taking a few snaps. |
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The forecast for tomorrow is not looking the best at the moment so it may be another wet day in the saddle as I am moving on, but after that the forecast get better Wayne |
Day 6 Balkans Trip
Day 6 Balkans Trip
I went out a short ride on my own today, I wanted to visit a couple of places before moving on tomorrow. Before I continue I want to say a massive thanks to Mito and his family for making me feel welcome at his home. While I have been there I have not wanted for anything. Whilst I was out riding he even gave up his free time and made me a bracket to fix on my bike to put my Go Pro on. The sticky pad had come off and was not re-sticking. What a guy Day 6 Local area to Nova Gorica |
First off was a visit to the Predjamski Grad Castle, N45.81589 E14.12696, the link to Wiki if anyone is interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predjama_Castle It was a good sight to see although I didn’t go in as I was also going to the caves at Postojna for 1400hrs to try and get on the tour. https://i.imgur.com/pkwpZIUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gbIOulsl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jUB5WwFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/TVjT9bsl.jpg |
When I got the caves N45.77968 E14.20580 I was to be bit disappointed, I could not get in on the 1400hrs tour as it was all full with bus loads of Chinese and Japanese Tourists. The next available slot was at 1600hrs and with it taking about 2 hours to do I didn’t bother as it was starting to cloud over and by the time I came out it would be getting dark. So I sat and chilled with a tea for a bit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postojna_Cave https://i.imgur.com/EBBbsIFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3yT6FMhl.jpg |
On the way back my GPS took me back on the same road I came in on. Ummmm not good, so I just took a left and just kept going, allowing the GPS to autocorrect. It put an extra 15 mins on my journey and was a far better ride. I also stopped in Vipava to try and get to a very old run down castle but could only find a footpath to get there and it was still a fair way to go.
https://i.imgur.com/rxZ6uU0l.jpg You can just see the Castle in the middle of the photo https://i.imgur.com/oqXyCptl.jpg The Clouds are coming in https://i.imgur.com/W4Om4GXl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/mhfW021l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/o5DoDeEl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/h5wi0ohl.jpg Another Castle I saw on my way back https://i.imgur.com/lWGifFvl.jpg Tomorrow I am setting off for Croatia and the weather is set to turn bad again, awesome, I can’t wait :rofl: Wayne |
Ummm what I dilemma, do I move on today, its raining very hard at the moment, or do I stay and take yet another day of my hosts hospitality, he says I can stop another night, according to the forecast it is big suns for tomorrow?!
Wayne |
Nice pics and writing
Really enjoying your RR. Wife and I were in Slovenia summer of 2014 and loved it.
I had rain for a week here in Georgia and now having some brilliant days of sunshine, it's still pretty cool but not wet. Hope your rain gives up soon. |
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Wayne |
Day 7 Balkans Trip
Day 7 Balkans Trip
Do I go or do I stay, pick one, well, the weather cheered up bit in Nova Gorica so I decided to go. Next stop Metlika on the Slovenia/Croatian Border. I covered about 130 mile today Day 7 Nova Gorica to Metlika |
The weather for the first 50 miles was really good, cloudy but dry. But that was to end rather abruptly about about the Ribnica area. Then it was back to being wet. But on the whole the ride was good. It is just a shame the views and scenery wasn’t as good as it could have been. Even though it was raining for the latter part of the ride it was not that cold and having some good gear helps.
Not many photos today as its a pain taking the gear off to take them but I took a few. https://i.imgur.com/74iMNpTl.jpg A stop for a coffee https://i.imgur.com/A3KKoDJl.jpg The Clouds are in https://i.imgur.com/FEVqECjl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Vq7RM6Sl.jpg The River is getting bit swollen in Dvor https://i.imgur.com/hYm7CcGl.jpg Dvor https://i.imgur.com/wIluCEal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wvEdNc1l.jpg If any one can translate this it would be appreciated, it tells the story of the building in the photo below in Dvor https://i.imgur.com/FfrTOVZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NBZLNZHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Jq0wyEIl.jpg Stopping at the Hotel Bela in Metlika, N45.65193 E15.31561 no garage so the bike is locked up outside undercover, hope its still there in the morning :thumbup1: https://i.imgur.com/bbtN6JPl.jpg Over the border into Croatia tomorrow and straight through into Bosnia. Hoping its nice enough to get my tent up!? Wayne |
Good luck mate hope it dries up a bit , Bosnia is something else i did mainly off road
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/IMG_2070.JPG [IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...o/IMG_2069.JPG[/IMG] This was a good place in Scit https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dU...w295-h221-p-no Bosnia and Herzegovina 43.801585, 17.527251 https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...o/IMG_2069.JPG |
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Scit, yeah the one near Prozor? I am looking forward to getting back there, I was there 93 and 97 Wayne |
93 hey !!!! still has lots of scares :frown:
Phil |
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Wayne |
Day 8 Balkans Trip
Day 8 Balkans Trip
I was on the road for around 0900hrs this morning as I had to cross 2 Borders, Slovenia/Croatia and then the Croatia/Bosnia Border. Also pulled my back this morning sat on the edge of the bed putting my boots on, trying to lug the bike about is painful. Day 8 Metlika to Bihać |
The journey to the Slovenia/Croatia Border was only about a mile ride and I got through there with ease, both of the passport checkpoints were next to each other. Once I crossed in to Croatia it was a straight run through to Bosnia with a stop off at Karlovac. I needed a cup with a lid, as I made a bit of a school boy error and left mine in England. Tried a couple of shops but couldn’t find one so I ended up getting a small flask. So now at least I have something to keep a brew warm. Whilst in Karlovac I got talking to two Americans who were from some big Christian Church in the States, they were over on a Church Mission. Nice enough people and I even had my photo taken with the husband so they could show their family back home.
https://i.imgur.com/mRgXTAal.jpg The sun trying to break through in Croatia https://i.imgur.com/RRU867xl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/83572Exl.jpg Nice blue skies https://i.imgur.com/VDow6Hbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hzJ20yal.jpg A sneaky photo of the Croatia/Bosnia Border, from the Bosnian side https://i.imgur.com/Wp25NXIl.jpg Then it was back on the road, back is sore but I want to get into Bosnia. Crossing the Border from Croatia to Bosnia again was easy and no messing, I did ask the guy where to get some insurance for the bike but he didn’t have a clue or didn’t know what I was saying…So if anyone knows how to get it please let me know? |
I crossed the border at Velika Kladusa and stopped in the town for coffee, change money and get a sim card. I spent 1.5 hours in the Post Office in town sorting it all out. There was a bloke in there who spoke really good English and he sorted me everything out and even set the phone up for me. The reason I was in there so long as every time I moved around in the PO I was having to join the end of the queue again and it was busy.
Finished in the PO and time to get a coffee. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velika_Kladuša https://i.imgur.com/kjQl99hl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RfkBrSel.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3EGKPn9l.jpg |
Once all done I went to visit the Velika Kladusa Castle N45.18178 E15.80031which was about a mile out of the town centre. Nice it was but it was all locked up so only saw the outside.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velika_Kladuša_Castle https://i.imgur.com/W8A811Rl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GJeL4p9l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MVVboX1l.jpg There were a few of these in the area [https://i.imgur.com/BX7flhgl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jSsXo8Kl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WRJmPdkl.jpg Some views from the Castle area https://i.imgur.com/AF6FtfXl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lR4NVDPl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jajQ9X1l.jpg |
Then I decided to move on to Bihać before it started to get dark. On the way I passed another Castle in Ostrozac, Stari Grad Ostrozac N44.90516 E15.9370, I didn’t have time to get closer as the light was going.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrožac_Castle https://i.imgur.com/UYJQyOQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Y1xQqabl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CRgFtOxl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3O43WAql.jpg |
Finally made it to Bihać and found a hotel. I am possibly staying 2 nights as my back is tender and I have been riding for 7 straight days and could do with a rest before visiting some old haunts in Bosnia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bihać https://i.imgur.com/r9DfNeAl.jpg The River Una before Bihać, high and fast flowing https://i.imgur.com/loxctkfl.jpg The River Una in Bihać town is flowing in to the Park https://i.imgur.com/XK8nUxJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LMP4jZfl.jpg Stopping at the Hotel Park N44.81255 E15.86945, 75 KM which is about £28.00, no garage but its parked right outside the entrance to reception Rest day tomorrow, the back needs it :rofl: Wayne |
Enjoying this Wayne , bring back a few memories , sorry about the bad back , its an age thing ....try some sljivovica !!!! if it doesn't kill you it'll cure you jeiger
Had a slurp we these good old country folk we met https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K...o/IMG_2037.JPG |
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Yeah I think it is :rolleyes2: Wayne |
Day 9 Balkans Trip
Day 9 Balkans Trip
It was good to have a rest day, I was still awake at 0730hrs though. I went and had a leisurely breakfast and then chilled for a bit before going into the town. It was good to stretch the legs and back off. Its a nice place, not too busy but a few people sat outside in the Cafe Bars drinking Kava (coffee). Some views of the town https://i.imgur.com/EZ0qspIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nwtzoBZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hQlL6HWl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/c8ldU19l.jpg |
There are some nice old buildings and War Memorials dotted about and I didn’t take me long to find some scars from the most recent War. It is nice to see the place in peace again, very different to the last time I was here and saw first hand what troubles can bring.
Old Buildings https://i.imgur.com/YZBcZ2Dl.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/LNIzVCyl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/to9Sbtkl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nvtXJM5l.jpg I looked through the windows, it looked like someones tomb https://i.imgur.com/GAxQHRfl.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/IEjHEtxl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sKBeq9Wl.jpg |
War Memorials
https://i.imgur.com/2y2KTbZl.jpg I think this is for the Patriotic People of Bihać [https://i.imgur.com/Y2j9GIAl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/66apKDal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qlJY87il.jpg https://i.imgur.com/PR31A8wl.jpg For the Canadians which helped them in the recent war https://i.imgur.com/7ILpc2cl.jpg |
I also met a French couple who are cycling from Bulgaria back to their home in France, I felt bit sorry for them with the recent weather we have been having and they have been wild camping. They are going home via the Alps
https://i.imgur.com/cSyenk6l.jpg Scars of the recent troubles https://i.imgur.com/MmqUcFQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xZme84Hl.jpg The rest of the day I am going to relax and plan my zig zag route through Bosnia Wayne |
Day 10 Balkans Trip
Day 10 Balkans Trip
Yesterday I worked out my zig zag trip across Bosnia. Had a good rest day but its time to move on. The journey today was from Bihać to Glamoć and I got a nice early start. Day 10 Bihać to Glamoć |
I was awake at 0530hrs thanks to the person in the next room snoring their heads off. Not good been awake at that time. Laid there for a bit to try and get back to sleep but it wasn’t happening. So it was a case of pack kit, shower, breakfast and set off. I was on the road for 0800hrs.
The route was a mixture of road and unpaved road so it made for an interesting ride. Along the way I passed lots of war ravaged abandoned villages in a very sparse wilderness. There was nothing for miles except mountains all around, wind, dark clouds, barearse wilderness and the road. This was dotted along the way by the abandoned villages. https://i.imgur.com/JCnzHuCl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xZvOHO8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cYtQpXGl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cdmSlcLl.jpg War Memorial on the way into Glamoć https://i.imgur.com/WcneZmol.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HEEKfGsl.jpg |
I eventually got to Glamoć which was still as unpopulated as I remember it from all those years ago. I found a cafe/bar and went in for a warm (nice open fire) and a coffee. When I walked in everyone went quite and it reminded me of the scene from the American Werewolf where the young lad walking in to the tavern/pub and they all look at him and someone says ‘stay off the moors’. Normal noise had resumed by the time I had ordered my coffee.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glamoč https://i.imgur.com/ms5y2CHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uZKxfqBl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VEAsP8Ol.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DEItU7ul.jpg |
Then I went to visit the dilapidated old castle on a hill overlook Glamoć. It was falling apart but good to see some history.
https://i.imgur.com/rj2bc9ql.jpg https://i.imgur.com/s6ou1B4l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pDDwvBhl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CPN8LItl.jpg Nice view from the top |
Once I left there I decide to look for somewhere to sleep for the night so I set the Montana for Sipovo and looked for somewhere on route. On the way out I stopped at what I think was an old runway N44.08514° E16.81298° and at one end there was some area which could have housed the planes. I rode for about 5 miles before I found a spot. Wild camping was on the cards for tonight.
https://i.imgur.com/pPdDuERl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UlHlwNKl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uqO1aArl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8iSoIS6l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/D5NY8Fol.jpg Wayne |
Day 11 Balkans Trip
Day 11 Balkans Trip
Woke up at about 0645hrs this morning, it was a bit nippy but not too bad. Up, pack Tent, have breakfast and ride Sipovo, Jajce and hopefully to Mkonjic Grad. Day 11 Glamoć to Jajce https://i.imgur.com/rAWMJGUl.jpg |
It is a bit surreal passing from one area to the other because although it is technically the same country there are two defined regions, The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Repuplica Srpska and each bit lets you know when you are leaving/entering their bit of territory.
[https://i.imgur.com/hzRX3HRl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EE9Z9Svl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UCMCBAJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GsBmzBFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QEL3XHbl.jpg First off Sipovo, no real reason for going, it was just a town on route and one which was covered by us in ’93’ Very quiet again, but lots of cafe/bars dotted about. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Šipovo https://i.imgur.com/p0fzg0Sl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EZFCQpWl.jpg |
Then it was the journey to Jajce which is a town I wanted to visit because of the Waterfalls which are in the town.
They were nice. There is also a Castle of which the town centre is situated around the walls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jajce https://i.imgur.com/buFrCvtl.jpg Lake just before Jajce https://i.imgur.com/QnFLAzLl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kjx7sIal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JzRbHKal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tVA0DiGl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/i1unpInl.jpg I was also going to Piva Falls which are about 2 mile out of town but every road I took to get there was blocked because they are laying massive pipes under the road. Never mind, it would have been nice So I am sat in a Cafe trying to up loads my photos to Flickr as I am typing this . Then it will be off to Mkonjic Grad and on route find somewhere to sleep. Wayne |
Looking good mate , small world though !!! had a fullon meat feast at your same coffee shop
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5681/...5c063481_c.jpg https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8...o/IMG_2077.JPG |
Day 12 Balkans Trip
Day 12 Balkans Trip
Well what a day I had. But first let me finish day 11 off, I went on towards Mrkonjic Grad as i was there in ’97’. i had a ride around the town to see if I could find the Shoe Factory but I couldn’t as it has all changed in the last 18 years. So I went in to the centre and had another Kava before setting the Montana towards Banja Luka and looking for somewhere sleep on the route there. I found myself a nice spot just off the main road in a field in a dip so I was out of view of all traffic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrkonjić_Grad https://i.imgur.com/p8hnasVl.jpg Mrkonjic Grad [https://i.imgur.com/1Y0V7Rll.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bsoDO1Fl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bIBY9nIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G46vd6pl.jpg On route to my camp spot https://i.imgur.com/vd59i1nl.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/STIL4dsl.jpg |
Right! Today nothing turned out as planned. Gotta take the rough with the smooth!
My route today was a lot longer than planned! Day 12 Banja Luka to Sarajevo |
After a good breakfast
https://i.imgur.com/0630hE3l.jpg First off was Banja Luka which was only about 30 mins down the road, It is quite a big place. so I had a little ride round and stopped for a coffee. I then wanted to go see the Castle in the town. Spoiler 1, They were renovating it so I could only get to see the outside, after being told you could ride right inside as there was a cafe in the middle of it. So after taking a few snaps it was time to go to Doboj which was just a stop on route before heading to Tesanj Castle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banja_Luka https://i.imgur.com/HdG9HpTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RKzrTILl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/R0HV0uzl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5Mfafl5l.jpg |
Tesanj Castle Spoiler 2, when I got there they were doing road works on the road leading up to the Castle so the only place I could park was a carpark in the middle of the town, it would mean leaving all my kit unattended for a long time. so that didn’t happen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tešanj_Castle https://i.imgur.com/142zhlzl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7HC7azRl.jpg |
Then it was back on the road towards Maglai Castle. I got to the town and found the Castle and I managed to nearly get up to it before I came across some more digging in the road. Spoiler 3! I had to turn round on a really step incline which is not fun with a fully loaded bike as you know, so that was the end of that.
Whilst in the town I decided to grab a Kava and use Airbnb and get myself a room for 3 nights in Sarajevo. My only bit of success of the day. £45 for 3 nights, not too bad, with a garage and wifi. https://i.imgur.com/NTzpFLGl.jpg Maglai Castle https://i.imgur.com/4GWv2HMl.jpg |
So I set the Montana towards Sarajevo with a view to looking for somewhere to camp on the way there (about half way). Anyway that didn’t happen as I could not find anywhere suitable due to following the River very closely. On the way there I passed yet another Castle in Vranduk. I spent an hour riding in the dark before I came across were I am now.
Hotel Sunce N43.90210 E18.33759 on the very outskirts of Sarajevo. https://i.imgur.com/hNHc0Sal.jpg Vranduk Castle Some Views from today https://i.imgur.com/PLrkmKkl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Pgcvr7bl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zAZQaWHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JhSAknyl.jpg Wayne |
Day 13 Balkans Trip
Day 13 Balkans Trip
Set off from the Hotel and headed deeper into Sarajevo. It was only about 10 mile to where I was going to be staying. So I had a bit of time to get lost in the city and also to look for the Yamaha Dealer to see if they can sort out my back brake. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo The place I have booked through AirBnB is nice and I have a great view from the Balcony. I have a complete apartment to myself. 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, shower, wifi and best of all a garage for Arrunya. I am sure she blew a sigh of relief when I took all the gear off :rofl: Not bad at all for 45 quid Washing is in so its time to relax. :D https://i.imgur.com/NdBY5nyl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YCFT3kFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NMseOX1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/28YWoAUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fz72qP7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ThQ18kbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Ps1MbWyl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KVDk7R9l.jpg The View from the Balcony Wayne |
Day 14 Balkans Trip
Day 14 Balkans Trip
Went to get Arrunya fixed today. The shop was closed when I got there at 0930hrs even it was supposed to be open at 0900hrs. So I hung around and 10 mins later someone turned up. They do not have a mechanic on the premise but I followed them to the authorised Yamaha Mechanic they use it was a 10 minute ride away. The caliper was starting to seize so they stripped it all down, cleaned it, greased it, put it back together and bled my rear and front brakes with new fluid, Dot 5.1, they dealt with me straight away and spent about 1.5 hours working on her and all for £29.40 (once I had done the conversion from KM to £). Brakes are now spot on. Well happy. The Yamaha Dealer Sarajevo N43.84128 E18.32553 The Mechanic N43.83707 E18.33490 (not the Jason Statham film) https://i.imgur.com/UNSaispl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a3mC8kzl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cWGbhwOl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tYGiqW3l.jpg |
Once that was sorted it was a quick stop at McDonalds for a burger and a Kava Frappe, then a sit out in the sun to enjoy it.
Then I went it to the city on the bike to have a good ride around. Traffic was busy but I was not in any rush. https://i.imgur.com/8gZ5a2Ul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wbYdqmWl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eLZLnJnl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QLDj4BOl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0e8mR5kl.jpg Spot the flag https://i.imgur.com/R7qjSYql.jpg Lots of these about and the majority have dates from the early 90's https://i.imgur.com/LxIqzRRl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nMrGLeDl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jU1m31fl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5pu7FMdl.jpg Still lots of this about too https://i.imgur.com/f6Mht0Jl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uw8Wdkil.jpg https://i.imgur.com/akL4XgQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bscefcdl.jpg Sat enjoying a Kava https://i.imgur.com/B2ZiTcEl.jpg When I was parked up 3 French bikers came passed, they paused for a quick photo and as they shot off one of them was nearly under a car turning left at the junction, he was waving to me at the time. https://i.imgur.com/EWr44vHl.jpg Off to try and find the Skakavac Waterfall tomorrow, traveling light Wayne |
Getting better mate and the suns shining :D
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Very foggy this morning for my trip to find the Waterfall Wayne |
Day 15 Balkans Trip
Day 15 Balkans Trip
Woke up this morning to a very thick fog in Sarajevo and I was hoping that it wasn’t going to be like it all day. Because of the height I was going to I thought that I would climb out of it. I wasn’t to be disappointed Day 15 Visit to Skakavac Falls |
I was a good trip out and once I got out of the city it was a mixture of paved and unpaved roads. Once I got to the 1000m to to the falls sign, in a little car park there was a barrier.
Some photos from the way up https://i.imgur.com/A1WudPpl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4u0JsqNl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sI7cuRwl.jpg Sarajevo is under the blanket of fog https://i.imgur.com/UU3JXhhl.jpg |
I thought I am not leaving the bike in the car park, just in case…so I managed to squeeze Arrunya through on the right side so I could ride to the falls, or so I thought.
After riding for a K there was another open area with some building work in progress, wooden huts for the summer no doubt. There was yet another sigh pointing to the Falls, it said 850 meters, so I got off the bike and went for a look, it was a track with stairs, no way I was taking the bike down there. So it was a case of hide the bike or don’t go. The bike got hidden out of view and off I went. It was a right hike, going down was ok but coming back up, well….. I was knackerd..point to note for oneself…remove quilted liners from jacket and trousers before walking a great distance again. I was roasting. The sight was worth it when I got there although I didn’t hang around to long due to the bike been left and here was no way I was getting back up to the top again in a hurry. I am not as fit as I used to be. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skakav...all_(Perućica) https://i.imgur.com/bkK8UcYl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hpIwnvIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/let43Gol.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ytMwnzml.jpg Looking back from the Waterfall As I got back on the bike and started back along the track towards the barrier again there was a van coming towards me and it was slowing down, I thought I was in for an ear bashing but he was just slowing down to let me passed and he waved at me as I did so. Back through the barrier and time for a sit down and open the flask before heading back in to the city to sit at a nice cafe I have found and watch the world go by https://i.imgur.com/Vyb0xfol.jpg Sat with the flask On the way back down https://i.imgur.com/6IUNHtvl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Agu4Mwtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sSoV69Il.jpg Stopping another night after this one, not in any rush and I quite like the city. Then it is off toward Vitez, Nova Travnik and Gornji Vakauf Wayne |
Day 17 Balkans Trip
Day 17 Balkans Trip
Warning, a little bit of graphic writing below from my experiences in the area. If you get offended please do not read todays report. Thanks Today was Sarajevo to Prozor. With a stop off at Vitez, Nova Travnik T Junction and Gornji Vakauf Day 17 Sarajevo to Prozor |
When I left Sarajevo it was very gloomy not with rain cloud but with a kind of smog and it stayed in for most of the day, although in the background the sun was out. It did get better as I progressed.
Gornji Vakauf was where I was based in 93 and one one of the reasons I want to come back to Bosnia. 22 years on and I wanted to see the change. Some photos from on route https://i.imgur.com/oPmnAHSl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UQjALhRl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/dS6SgpKl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0WjNyy7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6458Dtcl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Dv1Qd8bl.jpg The Autumn colours are definitely out https://i.imgur.com/gcPFbqJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GRxevFJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Jxgw9Rbl.jpg |
My route was to take me firstly to Vitez, I had only been there once as part of the UN in 93 as it was another part of my old Battalions area. But it was on my so I stopped off and had a brew. Also had a ride round and took some video with the Go-Pro.
From Vitez I went to Nova Travnik T (as we called it), it was a T junction near to Nova Travnik and it was the scene of trouble when I was there. A convoy (which we named the Convoy of Joy due to what it was carrying) which had already been through Gornji Vakuf was stopped at this point and quite a lot of people were dragged out of the vehicles and killed and the convoy was ransacked. Been there as the UN your main job is to observe and not to be seen to be getting involved with a particular side. But seeing this it did not take long for members of my old Battalion to intervene. It made the news for several days after it had happened. I didn’t take photos out of respect. https://twitter.com/BosnianHistory/s...57889950027777 |
Once I had been passed there I went untowards Gornji Vakuf via some really weird looking stones and Bistrica. I did find some information on the internet about them but can not find it now
The Stones are really odd and have very strange markings on them, if anyone knows what they are called then let me know please. https://i.imgur.com/WBhYqGNl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CDVMEcMl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/00L36JIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QkPkA8xl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kB5jhY1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hHR4Zzbl.jpg |
Bistrica, a place close to my heart. It was where I came across a family whose grandmother had been shot by a sniper whilst she was working the field to the rear of the house. Every time the family went to try and help here the sniper stopped them. I was dark by the time they managed to get to her and she was dead. We went on a routine patrol the following day and visited the village and got talking to the family and they told use the story and seeing the grandmother laid out on a stretcher was not good. I was the first and only time I shed a tear in the conflict. All they wanted use to do was guard them whilst they buried her. Which we did and the family was very grateful.
https://i.imgur.com/rg6fpC2l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Vu5Pn1jl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/SEr4Zhyl.jpg A monument to the dead from the village I also took the photo below in 93 and took another with the bike parked in the same spot give or take a couple of feet today https://i.imgur.com/K9Hgk8ml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/IM0FIEil.jpg |
From there I was into Gornji Vakauf (GV). This was the place where I based was for 6 months in 93, it was good to see a normal live going on with cafe bars all over the place and people milling about doing there thing. Oh times have changed….GV was a very busy area back in 93 with lots of indiscriminate killing, tanks were in the area and artillery and motor fire hit the town and our camp every now and again. Also every day and night there would be exchanges of gun fire between the separate groups in the town and lots of ethic cleansing from all sides. It was a busy old 6 months.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gornji_Vakuf-Uskoplje The Old Base is still there and you can even see the UN sign on the wall of the building if you look carefully https://i.imgur.com/rpyUTvTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/47EUblol.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Vbkr5lIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NI7FHlLl.jpg On my way in to GV there is still scaring from the War https://i.imgur.com/B4qZWCml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4zZRPtPl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bqeJwqFl.jpg Looking towards Wayne Edwards Bridge https://i.imgur.com/WnH0ym4l.jpg From the otherside https://i.imgur.com/Cr48qG8l.jpg A couple of photos from the town https://i.imgur.com/noWeZ0kl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/66S1H2Bl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/syn2rr0l.jpg |
Tito’s Fist, this was a great monument back in the day and a symbol of the ruler of Yugoslavia as it was. Doesn’t look much now
The first photo I took in 93 the second was today. https://www.spomenikdatabase.org/makljen https://i.imgur.com/kvawKyJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AUfXGBCl.jpg Then it was down into Prozor to find somewhere to sleep for the night Wayne |
Good man .......strange breed us humans :unsure:
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Wayne |
Thoroughly enjoying your report Lonerider :thumbup1:
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I'm enjoying your report by the way. Many of your pics bring back memories. :thumbup1: |
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Glad you are enjoying it Wayne |
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