Mostar, Bosnia 🇧🇦

Today was the last day of new adventures.   We headed to a new country again by visiting Mostar,  in Boznia-Herzegovina 

One of the highlights was the Stari Most Bridge

Mostar was a focal point of the 1991-1995 war.  There was war damage still visible. The intersection of the east and west worlds,  cultures and religions was evident throughout the city.

Julie in her mosque 🕌  clothing 

The inside of the mosque 

The view from the minaret (mosque tower)

A souvenir,  soon to be seen in Hartland

Last sunset in Croatia  🇭🇷 

Kotor, Montenegro 🇲🇪

Today we started the day by heading to the airport and taking our Covid tests.   The negative test is required to enter the USA 🇺🇸.   Fortunately (and as expected since we were all vaccinated).  Julie,  Beth,  Rob and I all came up negative 😀. 

Julie and I bid Rob and Beth adieu as we rented a car and headed south (they had other site's to visit in mind).

Our objective was Kotor in Montenegro.   This walled city 2 hour south of Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and location on a beautiful fjord.  We were not disappointed. 

You can see the walls extend into the hills.  We were too fatigued from yesterday to try

Yugoslavia era decorations on the gate

On last shot of the fjord 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Sunday was a very busy day.  It began with saying goodbye to our new friends and heading into the city of Dubrovnik.   Famous for its walls and independence,  we found the history fascinating and the sites magnificent. 

One fun fact is that the city state of Dubrovnik was the first entity to recognize the independence of the United States. 

Another fun fact is that they filmed some of the Game of Thrones TV show here.   The photo above is from Kings Landings and site of Cersi's walk of shame.  Fans will understand. 

Next was a kayak tour with Rob and Beth.  Although delayed by drinking thunderstorms,  we got in a fabulous day on the water, including a swim.

We had great views of the cities walls from our kayaks 

Next on the agenda was a sunset tour of the cities walls.  We had a local tour guides who told great stories on our 1 1/2 mile hike, with over 800 stairs.  Lots of exercise today.

Near sunset from the walls

At the highest point of the wall, as the sun sets under the Croatian flag

Šipan Island, Croatia

Smallest island and shortest ride of the tour.   We only cycled 6 miles, but it was a wonderful way to end the tour

The "Wisconsin Group" with our guides Dini and Ivan

Another day....another quaint seaside village 

Bill and Mary sporting their new cycling jerseys 

Julie and I,  in a fishing village 

Imagine the work that went into building these terraces

Mljet, Croatia

Night view of the harbor in Mljet

We got a couple of swims in yesterday in the beautiful Adriatic.   Although we awoke to clouds today, it was still comfortable cycling. 

This island is about half national park.   It is much greener than the others, largely covered with pines.

Our route today.....about 18 miles

The ride into our destination 

Lastovo, Croatia

We are on the green dot

We started the day with a 3 hour cruise to the Island of Lestovo and a short bike ride

On the way to the island

After the bike ride, we had time for a swim and the sun

Boat at the dock of a secluded island

Charming island villages

Korčula, Croatia

The morning view from the boat....fog

On the road again.  The start of a 40 mile day with lots of climbing 

We stopped for a swim along the way....with beautiful clear water

modeling the purchases of Lavender jerseys purched yesterday 

We cycled through the vineyards of Korčula

We avoided colliding with any wild boars 🐗 

We saw many more beautiful bays 

Our harbor for the night near the town of Korčula

We had a chance to enjoy a city tour

The home to the left of the church is reported to be the home of Marco Polo 

Our route for the day

Vela Luka, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

We are having a good time boating and cycling the islands.  I have just a little time and limited wifi opportunities,  so I will just put up a few pictures. 

The cathedral tower in Split

One of our tour guides and a history lesson in Split

Little Venice on the Isle of Hvar

A monument to stone carvers on the Isle of Brac.  Limestone for the Washington Monument came from here

Mary, Beth and Julie in front of a beautiful village 

Julie made a new friend who was selling lavender sachets at one of our rest stops

Rob and Beth enjoying a drink at the end of the day

Sunset from our boat

Another beautiful fishing village 

We started at sea level today.  It was great to be on an ebike