Ticking off places/things from your bucket list is always so satisfying and rewarding however It doesn't come so easy, it needs money, time and planning. I feel everyone should have a bucket list doesn't matter how big or small. Life is so short to regret and we as a human being are always in that rat race to prove something to the world or to ourselves. Bucket list is something which makes us to take sometime off,explore the unexplored, discover a new hobby and rejuvenate ourselves.
A city full of character, a unique bridge from ottoman's period,beautiful cobble stoned streets, green colored water river. Well, i couldn't resist myself adding Mostar to my bucket list when i first arrived in Europe.
So almost, after 3 years, here we were on our way to Mostar.It was one day detour from Dubrovnik. Bosnia and Hergezovina is a beautiful country and apart from Mostar there is lot many things to see, lots of natural wonders but since we had only 1 day in our hand. we explored Kravice water falls,Mostar and sufi monastery, Tekija Blagaj.
We made sure to leave early because there is a lot of traffic on border control otherwise and we may end up in a queue for very long time. Since its border control, so make sure to keep passports, DLs and car registration papers handy.Mostly areas in Bosnia are so full of nature and a lot of off-roading. Roads are mostly narrow, some road stretches are in poor condition, no marking on roads and sometime through valleys. People also drive a bit rash relatively.
Kravice water falls is 43kms south of Mostar. Drive to this place was so full of winderness. Google maps would mostly help you with directions but in case of confusion look for direction boards or ask for help from locals.
After car park, there is about a km walk to reach waterfalls.Its a huge waterfall spread in lots of area and its green water makes it a must visit. You could easily spend half an hour to one hour near the waterfalls. There are also boats available if you want to go under the falls and also swimming is allowed. We spotted few small snakes so please be careful.
By 12, we were already on our way to Mostar.Parking near bridge was very easy to find. There were many road side parking options available with very less parking fee. Bridge was on walking distance from parking spot. By first look of the streets, i felt, city has lot of character to it and it was unique compared to all the cities i have been so far in Europe. The soveneir shops,restaurant, mosques has very middle eastern feel to it. It was impossible to go ahead without buying something. After a walk of few mins, we were on the bridge. It was quite high and narrow bridge.Streets near to the bridge is very slippery, so please be careful.Climb Koskin-Mehmed Pasha's mosque for the best views of the city and bridge. Entry fee is 4 Euros for the same. You can also see locals diving from the bridge as a show for the money.View of bridge from the view points was amazing, it was that perfect view that i imagines by looking at pics 3 years ago. Green water river, such a unique bridge and mosque and city in the background.
If you walk a bit more , you will come across a museum and a mosque. Museum is about the history of "Yugoslavia war".Mosque is a nice place for photographs and what was weird thing about mosque is if you are muslim, then its free otherwise there is 5 euros fee.
Our last destination for the day was Tekija Blagaj. Its a Dervish Monastery, apart from being such a significant historical religious sites , its also special because of its unique location.Situated at the base of a cliff and next to the source of river Buna, it surely should be in your itienary if you are visiting Mostar. Its mandatory to put off shoes and cover head with scarf before entering into Monastery. Inside, the monastery, there are several small rooms, covered with colorful carpets. There are few restaurants as well to chill at the river side.You can also take brief boat ride into the cave that's start of the Buna.
We didn't stay overnight in Mostar and had plans to come back to Dubrovnik. Return journey was no less an adventure as we trusted google and followed the shortest route. After almost driving for about 2 hours through unpaved roads,barren valleys, farms and kms of streches of no sign of civilization.we reached a border only to realize that its not international border and its only for locals. We had no other options apart from driving all the way back in pitch dark and follow the route to international border. By 11pm, only we were in Dubrovkin. Indeed, a thrilling day, lots of adventure, beautiful road trip and lots of culture.
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