Mostar, Bosnia-Hercegovina. July 9

Entering Bosnia-Hercegovina was quite an exciting prospect. The drive across the border was upsettingly uneventful though and they didnt even stamp my passport! Ripped off...

Anyway, the drive in was quite some contrast to driving in Croatia. Things quicklz became run down looking and slightly more shanty. Its a 30min drive onwards to Mostar. The town I remember from the news TV as being destroyed in the early 90s, only some 15yrs ago.

The signs into town were looking up though, new car dealerships were opening and shops were new and up to date. The cars are always a good way to rate a place for dodginess, and nothing really hit my What The radar until we hit town and saw some totallz clapped out deadbeat cars which seemed somehow road worthy...

The new Mostar is a mix of new and wartorn. One building maz be in ruins, trees and plants growing wild out of its empty window frames. Bullet'pock and rocket marked brick and concrete. Some buildings are dramatically razed and some appartment blocks still show extensive signs of the war complete with blackened marks from fire.

The streets are like any other in Europe though. Well kept and clean. The people are busy with normal life, cafe culture is big here as in Croatia. Cafes spilling onto streets at every turn.
We felt like pioneers, it was the one place we didnt hear Australian or American voices!!!

Its time to note here I believe Mostar proudly boasts the regions best looking and abundant women. Unrelentingly pretty women everywhere, and so well dressed.

Anyway, no visit to Mostar is complete without a viewing of the Old Bridge. This was utterly destroyed during the recent war, but today is rebuilt and stands in full glory. There is a very interesting exhibition showing photos of the destruction during the war, peice bz peice and the reconstruction efforts after. The people must be very proud and very capable of restoring their country to its former self, much more said for Croatia then in this respect. At the Old Bridge people jump off the top to the clear blue water 20m below, tourist trap shops everywhere and No alcohol policy in the cafes. Its a pretty area and well worth the visit.

So go visit Mostar!