Day 2 : Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

From Dubrovnik, the was no direct train service to Mostar. So we had to buy a bus ticket ( run by Eurolines, so it's clean and comfortable) for roughly 110,30kn.

The bus departs at 8 am and it was a 4 hours journey, crossing 3 times the Croatia-Bosnia Herzegovina borders ( atleast they only check the passport not our luggage, it would be a hastle to do it 3 times). In the travel forum, it was suggested that we seat on the driver side so that we can see the great scenary. Only after a while I remembered that we were seating on the wrong side of the bussince  we are in Europe~

Around 12pm we arrived in Mostar. It was nice that the bus station and the train station is next to each other. If you did not book any accomodation, it won't be hard to find a place to stay as the locals would wait at the bus station with signs "Room €10". They would also help with direction to your hostel without having to ask. We went to check the train to Sarajevo for the next day ( there's only twice daily train for Mostar-Sarajevo : 7.55am & 6.30-ish pm).

Our hostel is only 5 minutes from the stations and rougly 10 minutes walk to the old town where the old bridge is located:

Property Name: Hostel Miran

Address: Lazetica 13, Mostar, 88000, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Website:http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/bosnia-herzegovina/mostar/16560/

The owner is friendly. He also run a tour for €20 pp if any of the guest is interested. 

Our arrival was welcomed by the calling for prayer from the nearby mosques. Our 1st stop was the Koski Mehmes-Pasha's Mosque. We planned to follow the Jemaah prayer there but only to find out that the mosque has been turn into a museum. They only perform the Friday prayer there. But Muslims are allowed to pray the ( we performed our jama' there after the having a chat with the caretaker).

Note : entry is 4,00mark or €2 pp. There's also a donation bucket inside the mosque if you want to donate toward the restoration and maintanance of the mosque.

He told us his experiences during the war time. He said that about 10% of the Muslim population was lost due to the war. The city was severly destroyed during the war. Some of the building has not been rebuilt while some is still full of bullet holes. I can't really re-tell the story but if you visit the mosque, have a chat with Anil

The old bridge is just a few minutes away

There's a memorial museum next to it that showed how the bridge was destroyed by rockets.

If you are in luck, you can watch the local collecting money and in return, they'll jump off the old bridge.

In just a few hour we covered the main attractions (if you went for the 3 hour tour from out hostel owner, he'll bring you to the bunker and other war memorial).

We even tried the Bosnian's meat pie

It tasted like the traditional Malaysian currypuff (karipap) without the 'curry'.

The city has become on of the main tourist spot in Europe but Mostar rely heavily on tourism. To my friends, if you have the chance, visit here, we can help boost their economy. The city is still recovering from the aftermath of the Yugoslavian's war.

Note : A short trip or transit to Mostar would be enough. Is you arrived here at noon from Dubrovnik, you can catch the 6.30-ish pm train to Sarajevo.

This video recap our 2nd day in Mostar

http://youtu.be/X_IOANkWzCE

Day 1 : Dubrovnik, Croatia

During the planning stage, we managed to score British Airways's tickets for a bargain. I'm not sure what is the normal price for London-Dubrovnik flight ticket but thanks to Skyscanner, this was the lowest fair for the date that we've choose to start the trip. 

( Ansari check that the price was almost £200pp a few days later, but we paid not even half of it)

I have to admit, traveling with BA is a first for me since we students would usually go for the cheaper option, low cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet. Having to que for less than 3 minuted at London Gatwick North terminal, we start our trip with a smile.

Upon arriving at Dubrovnik airport, we took the airport transfer shuttle to the city center which cost 35,00kn or €5 (the'll accept either currency). The transfer it self was breath taking. Dubrovnik is different that other cities that I've visited.

Note : if using Euro, the unofficial exchange rate the shop uses is €1 = 7kn

We got off at the main bus station which is roughly 15 minutes to our accomodation by foot or easily accessible by bus no 8 if I'm not mistaken.

Property Name: GuestHouse Maria

Address: Andrije Hebranga 90, Dubrovnik, 20000, Croatia

Website:http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/croatia/dubrovnik/59971/

The guest house has a great view of the Dubrovnik Port since it's only 5 minutes from it.

After resting for and hour or so, we took the no 8 bus heading towards the old town. When the bus stops near the cabel car station, we just got off and hop on the cabel car 1st instead. 

Note: Buying ticket on the bus will cost you 15,00 kn while buying from an agent is 12,00 kn for a single trip.

The return trip price is stated more at the counter than what we actually paid (we asked for the student discount but the women said the student prices is only available during an exhibition, but at 94,00 kn, it is cheaper that the advertised 109,00 kn, so no complains there). 

The top hill where the cabel car stop is also accessible by car and hiking for those who are fit. From the top of the hill:

Then we explored the old town and city walls which reminded me of Cardoba,Spain. 

We even found a mosque in the old town

Hanging out at the port is a must especially for people who enjoy the sun set

To finish our day, we went for dinner at a local pizzeria near the guesthouse. 

Note : jumbo pizza is not for 2!

This video recap our Day 1 : Dubrovnik, Croatia.

http://youtu.be/H9djOVrIE_g

Trip Information

This picture explain the basic plan of our trip:

Initially, I wanted to do a solo trip from Istanbul to London. But then, a friend of mine, Ansari asked to join me. But since I am not interested in going to Istanbul in the 1st place apart from starting inter railing from there and he has already been there, we decided to start from Dubrovnik, Croatia and end in London.

Certain leg of the journey will require us to use the bus since rail service is not available. It took us about a month to plan it, we also consulted some of our friends who have already travel to the Balkan's. We appreciated their help and thank you Yem & Afro.

The final itinerary is the 3rd plan we drafted. Places to visit were reduced due to time and budget constraints but we hope all goes well~