Slovenia:
Shortly after leaving Lublijana I ride along the Krka river towards Zagreb. The surrounding landscape is covered in hills, forest and small farming villages. It looks that corn and sunflowers are the main crops grown in this region. Fields of such cover both sides of the road. It is easy riding, mostly flat and a good start to the trip. I finish peddling at the island town of Kostanjecivi: the river passes on both sides and is only accessible by old wooden bridges. I find a spot for the hammock behind an old abandoned building and next to the river. The people wave me welcome as they pass by on kayaks and small wooden boats.
Zagreb:
I follow the 30kms along Krka river to its end where it’s meets the Save and cross the border to Croatia. Today’s trip takes me from Sutla to Slovanski Brod via Zagreb. A trip of 250 kms, luckily I’m doing it with the train. The train conductors are uncomplicated and the bike and bags are loaded. The window show is unspectacular, I’m happy I’m taking the train for this part of the trip.
Bosnia:
The first stage of my Bosnian route: Slovanski Brod to Maglej. The morning brings me through empty country roads, down grave and dirt paths, between farms and forest and over hills; some of which actually quite steep. I reach the Bosna river at around lunch time and next to it the M17. This road is horrible, to much traffic and not enough space to get out of the way of trucks. It also starts to rain. My attempts to hitchhike are unsuccessful. I move forward in 1 minute bursts, from one driveway to the next, allowing the caravans of trucks to pass. One such driveway leads me to Igor and the multimatik crew, if you need a automated gate give them a call! They are havin a lazy afternoon and I’m invited in for a beer and some food. They teach me the card game 7 and beginners luck helps me win the first few games. Igor speaks great English and helps me get my first insights into Bosnia.
I continue down the other side of the river till Maglej. The dimming evening sun gives the country side a calm feel to it. People enjoy each other’s company in backyards all the way down the river. In Maglej the first person I see greets me in German. Emir, he is back in town to check on his house. Without a second thought I’m invited to stay the night, that is if I’m not scared of the dark as he as no power. I set up house and am quickly given apples from the tree outside and grapes picked through the lounge window. We sit together in the sparsely furnished lounge, talk about his family and my trip and enjoy turkish style coffee cooked up on the wood fire oven.
I head out into the small city. The city lies on the river Bosna, guarded by the fort on the adjacent hill. The Mosque, Catholic Church and Serbisch Orthodox Church stand next to each other. It starts to rain and I’m stranded in front of a market. I wait for 30 mins for it to ease up, but choose to make a run for it. Dark streets, pot holes full of water, I jump from one cover to the next. After 10 minutes I’m lost and completely wet. I find a spot to hide and try to dry my phone with my wet clothes. Behind me the door opens and am offered a t-shirt and a seat inside. I’ve made it to the firefighters house. Dry meat, cheese, Rakija and non-alcoholic beer is served up. On TV Sylvester Stallone is shooting guys in the jungle. We talk about work, money and Bosnian food.