Sarajevo:
My plan was to go by train to Zenica, though am quickly informed that I the train isn’t running today. Next option is to take the bus. In a mad rush -in contrast to everyone else around me this early in the morning- I manage to find the bus station, buy a ticket, dismantle my bike and load my stuff. The bike and six bags fill up the last five seats of the mini bus. Im on time, the passengers are amused and the driver is onboard, but I guess we have to wait to for possible late arrivals. We leave 15 minutes later than scheduled….
From Zenica, the industrial city with a massive steal factory, I take the pass over to the adjacent valley. Nice riding with a high speed downhill section. Here I meet the M5, this road is a “backroad” to Sarajevo but is mind numbingly boring. For maybe my first time ever I ride with headphones. I reach Sarajevo and reach the “The Good Place” hostel before the rain starts. The owner Igor greets me and asks me for my credentials; where are you from, do you drink and do you want a Rakija? That’s how the night continues. We drink Rakija, smok, talk trash and look down from the terrace at the night life below.
Sobra:
After to nights in Sarajevo I have some catching up to to do. I have to be in Shkoder in the next days and there is plenty of ground to cover. I want to take the train to Mostar and bike to the coast from there. Already as I’m carrying my fully loaded bike up the stairs the conductor is shaking his head. The face says bikes not allowed. With the help of an interpreter I threaten to pack my bike in a bag, this seems to work. He would rather charge me 10 BAM / 5 Euros for the bike then let me do what I want for free.
From Sarajevo I bike to Ston on the Croatian coast. A nice ride over the country side and up some good gravel passes. It feels great as I finally reach the last hill and can look down to the Adriatic Sea. Just down hill from here! From Ston I bike over to Prapratno, I want to get the boat to Sobra island. The boat leaves at 8.30 pm, so I have time for a swim and cook some dinner. My bike and I board the ferry with 5 other cars. I reach Sobra at 9.30 pm and look for a place to sleep close by, my next ferry leaves at 6.15 am. I have luck and find a beach chair ready for my tired bones.
This time I have pack my bike, foot passengers only on this boat. I’m taking the sunrise boat ride to Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik I have 30 minutes to get to the bus station. The bus station is 1km away and I have too many bags. I ditch my bags at a shop and walk quickly with my bike to the bus and run back to get my bags. It leaves me with just enough time to pay the driver the usual baggage taxes. I’m on the way to Kotor, Montenegro.
Kotor:
I arrive in Kotor just before 11 am and rebuild my bike. I can breath a bit here and can enjoy the afternoon and evening is this old township between ocean and mountain. It’s a nice place to walk around but the town consists only of tourists. My last bus leaves in the morning. The bus to Shkodër and Simone leaves at 8 am. Quick bike to the bus station, dismantle my bike one last time and I’m on my way. The drive is nice and I’m a bit sad to travel through Montenegro so quickly. I’ll have to come back.
ShkodËr:
Shkodër, Simone and Sorbus! It’s great to see them. After rebuilding my bike, Simone greats me and we go straight to the best food in town. A first for me and for Simone and Sorbus a must. Shkodër feels different, it’s a bike city, people everywhere, shops and products fill the sidewalks. I’m excited to explore. I’m excited for the next step of the adventure. This time with Simone.