MOSTAR
I waffled back and forth over whether to simply do a stop over in Mostar and explore the city after checking my bags at the train / bus stations luggage counter or spending the night which would allow me to see the city in relative calm after the day trippers had returned to Dubrovnik and points elsewhere.
I spent the night with the only regret in my plan being that I should have caught a late afternoon bus from Sarajevo instead of the early morning train. Although the train ride was one of the best I've taken - the train crossed southern Bosnia at a much higher altitude than the bus, along the mountains instead of the valley below. Between frequent tunnel passes there was always a changing view villages, lakes, and even snow capped mountains in the distance.
Mostar is known for its bridge, a unique high rising arched bridge. The Neretva River below is forceful and cuts a deep chasm between Mostar. Rather than sharply descend one hundred feet, cross at water level, then ascend one hundred, the Turks created a magnificent arch to span the higher, town level elevation - the bridge is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
I spent the night with the only regret in my plan being that I should have caught a late afternoon bus from Sarajevo instead of the early morning train. Although the train ride was one of the best I've taken - the train crossed southern Bosnia at a much higher altitude than the bus, along the mountains instead of the valley below. Between frequent tunnel passes there was always a changing view villages, lakes, and even snow capped mountains in the distance.
Mostar is known for its bridge, a unique high rising arched bridge. The Neretva River below is forceful and cuts a deep chasm between Mostar. Rather than sharply descend one hundred feet, cross at water level, then ascend one hundred, the Turks created a magnificent arch to span the higher, town level elevation - the bridge is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
I spent time in bridge views cafes alternating between cappuccinos and beers. Leading up to the bridge is Mostar's Old Town, now filled with the 'ol souvenir shop. Food prices in this section were also double or triple than elsewhere.
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Across the bridge is Mostar's New Town which follows a similar architectural style as Sarajevo's and Zemica's modern sections. The New Town area is where the Croats held military positions during their siege of the city in the early 1990s. A few buildings remain as they were - completely destroyed except for the foundation and framework. A high rise near a park was a former “Sniper's Nest” and is eerily closer to town than the high rises that comprised Sarajevo's Sniper Alley.
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That evening Mostar was bustle. Every seat at the cafes on the way to the bridge were filled with locals enjoying the start of the weekend. The next morning I caught a seven o'clock bus to Dubrovnik.
For additional photos see FLICKR ALBUM.