Day 11: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik - Mostar

Our trip from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik had two legs:  a train ride from Sarajevo to Mostar and a bus ride from Mostar to Dubrovnik. We had enough time in Mostar to grab lunch and a quick look around town. As is true in many cities, the Mostar bus station was in a seedy area of town leaving the impression that Dubrovnick may not be the most promising place for a walking tour.  However, my guide book claimed that one of the most beautiful bridges in all of Europe (no small claim) could be found in the city center.  Time was short but I knew I had to check it out.  Sure enough, the sketchy alleyways gave way to charming pedestrian streets and the bridge was really quite lovely.   BONUS:  There were guys jumping off the bridge for money.  In the bottom picture, the guy in the speedo perched on the edge of the bridge is moments away from plunging into the depths below. 

Day 10: Sarajevo - dinner

Later, when voting on "Best Moment" of the trip, dinner in Sarajevo came to mind for both Justin and me. The food, the setting, the views, the company - everything was fantastic! Our waiter was a big, disheveled, sweaty guy who seemed a little suspect but, when we asked what to order, he quickly and authoritative told us what we wanted to eat. Everything was delicious but the highlight was the appetizer which appeared to be something like deep-fried dinner rolls slathered in a sour-creamy type butter. Mmmmm....devine! I didn't get a great shot of the beautiful views but I did get a nice one of my trusty travel companions - the iconic brothers Nee.

Day 10: Sarajevo - the lookout

It was hot (probably low to mid 90s) and yet I was determined to make it to the lookout point described in my guide book. I left Pigeon Square heading up through a residential neighbor and the graveyard beyond. Huffing and puffing a bit, I climbed a last flight of stairs onto a grassy plateau. I was greeted by the most wonderful and welcome breeze along with fantastic views of Sarajevo. It was only me and a couple at the lookout.  As I got closer to them, the voyeur in me took over and I wondered if they were lovers or simply colleagues on a break for lunch. Of course, I'll never know, but the romantic in me decided they were the happiest of couples enjoying a magical afternoon together.

Day 10: Sarajevo - cemetery

Many of us are probably familiar with images of the Sarajevo sports stadium whose field became a graveyard during the war.  Because of the siege, it was nearly impossible to move anything in and out of the city including corpses.  Along with the stadium (which I didn't have the opportunity to visit), there were several plots of land right outside of the city center that also became graveyards out of necessity.

Day 10: Sarajevo - Pigeon Square

Pigeon Square was, as you might imagine, full of pigeons.  Which begs the question, which came first, the pigeons or the name?   Did they build and name the square hoping the pigeons would show up?   Were the pigeons already there and they built the square so the pigeons had somewhere to hang out?  Was it originally named Mosque Square but there were more pigeons than mosques so they changed the name?   In any case, it's a beautiful setting and a great place to sit back and enjoy....the pigeons!

Day 10: Sarajevo - the city center

Central Sarajevo was all hustle and bustle.  Crowds of tourists filled pedestrian streets lined with boutiques and outdoor cafes - quite charming!  And, right in the middle of it all was this guy selling animal pelts (Sheep maybe?).  It was awesome!  I snuck this picture while standing inside the courtyard of a mosque.  I'm not sure if I was allowed to be there but, ya know, I could always pull the "dumb tourist card" if needed.

Day 10: Sarajevo - Lunch

Lunch in Sarajevo ended being one of my favorite meals of the trip. The weather was hot. We wandered through the pedestrian streets of central Sarajevo before deciding on Club 'To Be." Originally named "To Be or Not to Be, the "Not to" was crossed out in tribute to the war years when not surviving was not an option.  Our guide book urged us to "Try the daring, tongue-tickling steak in chilli chocolate."  I did and it was fantastic!