It was a lovely sunny morning as I looked down on the Gulf of Kotor after I awoke. So the drive this morning was refreshing in the sunshine!
I headed toward the town of Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No problems at all crossing the Bosnia and Herzegovina a border. I just reminded myself to remain on well used roads and trails – land mines remain are still a problem.
“By 2020, the mine suspected area in BIH amounts to 965 square kilometres, representing over 1,97 % of the country’s territory. According to the most current Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) estimations, there are still around 79,000 mines and explosive remnants of war (unexploded ordnance, cluster munitions) remaining in the ground throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and over 500,000 residents living in approximately 1,400 mine/ERW affected communities. Since 1996, mine and UXO accidents severed the lives of 1,766 local residents, turning them into mine/ERW victims (617 persons were fatally injured-died).” (Source)
Trebinje is a beautiful city of about 35,000 residents in the southwestern part of the country. There was busy market underway near the lovely and scenic river running through the town.
I also visited a very small, but stunning Orthodox Church set high on a hill overlooking the city. They actually had a service underway when I slipped in, but no one shooed me out.
Another 30 minutes or so had me near the Croatian border. And the views coming down out of the mountains toward the border and the Adriatic Sea were stunning!
Next up was a stop in the famous and popular sea side city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The city and the geography reminded me very much of another popular sea side city – Biarritz, on the Atlantic in southwestern France. Same modern look, same coastal city, touristy vibe. The Dubrovnik Old City is beautiful, filled with shops, restaurants, hotels, and narrow stone streets. It was also incredibly crowded (even for a sunny Saturday), so I can’t imagine what it would be like in the summertime when it’s really crowded and the temperature is high!
I also took a 45 minute boat tour around the nearby tourist island, the harbor, and along the waterside of the old city. The water is so deep blue and incredibly clear! There were many people swimming and sunbathing (and some sans clothing, again similar to France!)
Another 45 minute drive north along the coast took me to my stop for the night, the small Croatian waterfront town of Slano. When I arrived at my lodging for the night, my host brought me a glass of homemade red wine to relax with on the balcony of my room. Amazing wine and a gorgeous afternoon!
Since the beach was only 5 minutes away, I decided, “why not?” A swim in the Adriatic on a sunny 60 degree day – perfect! And it was actually quite comfortable! The water was very clear and very salty! The beach was clean, empty, and even the beach chairs were all chained together and locked up. Maybe it’s post swim season… But I actually did see a number of people in swim suits on the numerous beach areas around the large cove.
Dinner at a local restaurant was excellent! I enjoyed a couple specialties from the Dalmatian Coast, as the southern area of Croatia is known.
In Dalmatian homes this seafood specialty is most often eaten as a light appetizer. It has an intensive taste and represents a real delicacy which will delight lovers of fish specialties. Its preparation begins with the brief toasting of the rice which is then poured over with a small amount of water, wine, stock or chosen sauce. A freshly caught cuttlefish, which is the star of black risotto, should be cleaned well and then the black ink, which the animal otherwise uses as a defense mechanism against predators, needs to be carefully removed. Only the diluted ink is added to the dish just before the end of cooking in order that this risotto assumes its recognized look.
Apart from the cuttlefish, the special flavor of this risotto is also achieved by the addition of Prošek, the Dalmatian dessert wine which is added to the rice during cooking and which gives it a particular aroma. Although it has a strong taste of the sea, this risotto is easily digestible and is an ideal starter at feasts of many courses, and the fresh ingredients, of which in Dalmatia there is no lack of. (Source)
I washed it all down with a local beer, Ožujsko, some bread, and ice cream for dessert!
Before you go…
Exercise makes you look better naked. So does tequila. Your choice.
A Captain’s Adventures 