Central Europe Trip 6 - Zagreb, Craotia

The drive to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia was not as enticing as in Bosnia. The landscape was mostly flat but there were a few attractive scenery. So most of the time we were sleeping. Zagreb is quite a big city and I saw pretty buildings being marred by graffiti making them looked ghastly. There were also some artistic graffiti done but some naughty hands had overlapped it with meaningless sprays. What a pity.
After checking in the Arcohotel, Detlef drove us around the city at random. He found a signboard indicating a nature park and drove on through winding road, enabling us to take photos of the city and some wild flowers there.

He found an old castle which is under restoration. It's called Medvedgrad, a medievil fort built in 13 century. It was damaged in 1590 by earthquake and it was reconstructed part by part since 1979. We climbed the main tower which was overlooking the cone-shaped old chapel. Zubaidah took some imaginative photos, one of which showing Detlef's nose touching the tip of the chapel's roof. She's quite a good photographer.

The next morning, the local guide, Bozena, engaged by Izan came over to the hotel to take us around Zagreb. She took us to an old cemetery where civilians and dignitaries were buried and it has become a tourist attraction. Beautifully kept and constructed, the building was eye-catching because of ivy plants almost covered the wall and other structure making it look striking. There we met the former Croatian President, a lady, who didn't even bother to respond when we greeted 'good morning'.

We were taken for a walking tour around the old city. The one thing that attracted me was a Museum of Broken Relationship. We were told that the museum encouraged people who experience broken relationship to donate one memento of their relationship with a brief story. So instead of throwing away things that remind them of the relationship, they donate them to the museum. Anyway, donors' names are confidential. I thought that was such a good idea. Maybe Malaysia could have such museum too.

The dry city market was clean and systematically arranged for different category of food. We walked to the open market where for the first time during this tour, we did a bit of shopping. All of us bought a few pieces of table runners, table covers ets to take home.The workmanship was superb.

At 12.30 noon Zagreb time we left for Maribor in Slovania and then to Vienna in Austria.   
    

Central Europe Trip 5 - Plitvice, Croatia

The drive to Plitvice after Mostar was long and lonely on elevated land. Shanta who sat in front with the driver was given the task of counting the number of tunnels we went through - 38 tunnels altogether with some exceptionally long. Once we entered Plitvice, the landscape changed to lush fresh green. We were booked in a small hotel for a night where small problem occurred but was blown out of proportion by the same member, Detlef and the hotel operator. It was nothing actually but the stability of the group was shaken again.
True to what theory of small group work says, achieving group cohesiveness takes tolerant, understanding and respect among members but if one member deviates, cohesiveness is difficult to achieve. Thank God that the others didn't let small problem bother them.

It rained the next day but the local guide came and took us to  the park. She advised us to buy a thin throw-away raincoat. I brought mine but Shanta thought her water-proof jacket was enough. That was a mistake. We were walking on the first level and believe me, the scenery of the lakes and the surrounding are exceptionally breathtaking. There are countless waterfalls cascading down into the lakes - some big but there are a number small ones too. The fresh turquoise water of the lake is so beckoning but I bet it was freezing cold. I just touched the flowing water at the plank walk while walking.  In 1979, the park was included in UNESCO list of World Natural Heritage sites. To date 1267 different species of plants are found here with generous variety of butterflies, birds and bats which make this park a heaven for researchers.

The rain didn't dampen our spirit to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the park but we have to be careful when taking photographs in case water sapped into the lenses. By the end of the tour we boarded a boat which took us across to the end of the walk and to Hotel Jazera. Such a pity, we had to huddle in the middle of the boat to avoid the rain.
The walk to the hotel was killing. Tired and wet we had to climb over 300 steps up. Though the steps are gradual, it took quite a toll on me. I was panting and felt dizzy but had to go on in case the group reached there first and I was the last and they have to wait for me. I hate having people waiting for me as much as I hate waiting for people especially when they are late. I didn't realize Shanta was still far behind experiencing some trouble with her knees. Luckily the two sisters, Fatimah and Che Zur offered their arms and helped her climb up the many steps slowly. It was a relief when it was over.

Detlef took us back to the hotel where we stayed and loaded the bags into the van and left for Zagreb, Capital of Croatia. In my mind I still can see the amazing beauty of the park but unfortunately it is too far for a second visit. 

Central Europe Trip 4 - Mostar in Herzogovina

We were late leaving Sarajevo. Detlef made arrangement to have his van washed and cleaned. After hundred  of miles traveling, it was in a appalling state. True what Fatahyah said that Mostar is a beautiful place and not to miss it. The drive towards Mostar in Herzagovina was sheer delight. We were treated with picturesque turquoise coloured lake and river all along the road. The blue-green mountains, dotted with houses completed the scenic scenery. I was in awe. We stopped at a lookout point where the restaurant roasted lambs/pigs in the open, operated by the mill powered by clear running river water. I was fascinated. I just wished I am a good photographer and could produced better photos.
Reaching the town of Mostar with 50% Muslims and 50% Christians, we were met by Jasmina, a Muslim Bosnian local guide. She talked a bit about the war when she and her family had to move to Norway. After living there for 13 years they decided to come back where home is. Being blonde and green eyed, she could blend nicely with the people there but when she told them her name, they turned cold. What a judging attitude!! Mostar is not moving forward. The unemployment rate is so high, about 40% and the people struggle to make a living. We should be thankful that Malaysia is a prosperous country with abundant employments. Please Malaysians, do not destroy your country due to your personal and emotional political beliefs that create racial prejudice and tension. If  you are not happy with Malaysia, you should leave and I would say 'Good riddance'.

Mostar was reconstructed after the war (1992-1995). They called Mostar the City of Poetry. It's situated in Neretva River Valley. When we arrived, the weather was hot, 30 degrees Celsius and dry. Jasmina took us to the old city crossing the most magnificent stone monument - the Stari most or the Old Bridge, built on the narrowest canyon of the Neretva with large stone arch. It was entered on UNESCO World Heritage List. I didn't enjoy walking across this bridge as it is so slippery and I had to watch my steps, leaving me far behind the others. The old town is paved by river stones polished by the constant feet/shoes of people walking on them. It's like reflexology to the feet but I didn't enjoy it either - slippery!
We did our Jama' prayer at an old historical mosque in Mostar, the Koski Mehmed-pasina mosque.  Small in size but stunning in the inside. Unfortunately I left my camera outside in my handbeg with Jasmina while I did my prayer. So no photos to show the inside of the mosque. 
Another walk to the Turkish museum in the hot sun ended our tour. Detlef has trouble with his feet and he lagged behind. We bade goodbye to Jasmina and drove to our next destination about 400 miles away - Plitvice.

Thank you Jasmina and I hope you'll find a job you're trained for soon - as an English teacher.

Central Europe Trip 3 - Osijek and Sarajevo

On 10 May 2012, we left Budapest to Sarajevo, Bosnia through Osijek, Croatia. The scenery along the way was flat farmlands which seemed flourish with rapefield farms from brown (for replanting), green (not matured yet) and yellow (fully matured). A small part is undulating but still beautiful. We passed 4 tunnels, the first was so long and it seemed endless. Crossing the border to Croatia, we experienced for the first time, a border check at Osijek. Not too bad but enough to make us feel uncomfortable. We were made to wait for over an hour. The irony was, the immigration officer took our itinerary which was in Malay. What was it for? We were tickled pink when Detlef told the officer point blank that he didn't want to live in his country. The officer responded 'Why'. Cheekily Detlef said, ' I want to go back to Germany.' We wanted to laugh aloud but contained our laughter with serious faces. 
Osijek was nothing to shout about. The town is so depressing, run down with dilapidated buildings. Obviously it was a poor part of the country with unfriendly people. But we changed our mind when we met a guy who operated a petrol station there, He could speak English well and was so helpful especially when Detlef enquired about a mosque or Islamic Center. Croatia was a country who was hand in hand with Serbia to do ethnic cleansing, aiming to wipe out Bosnian Muslims. Of course the western non- Islamic world did NOT make so much hue and cry over this monstrosities. Had it been a Muslim country doing the aggression, America would send missiles to destroy it with a thousand and one excuses, like Iraq - such disgusting hypocrisy, injustice and double standard. Refused to give up, Detlef drove round and round and asked dozens of people the where about of the Islamic Center so that we could do our prayer. It was hot and we asked him to proceed on to Sarajevo. But no, he wouldn't until finally he found the Islamic Center but unfortunately it was closed. Thank you Detlef for your perseverance.   
Driving to Sarajevo and looking at Bosnia, I understood why the Serbian aggression took place. I was actually amazed at the beauty of the country, which seemed better off compared to their neighbours. The roads are good, houses nestled attractively among the green trees, people worked diligently in their farms and their houses are pretty. We stayed at Holiday Inn Sarajevo. The next morning, Mohamad, the local tour guide came to take us to sight see Sarajevo. The first visit was to the Tunnel. Izan made a mistake by not putting down clearly in her itinerary that entry to any tourist attraction was on our own. I was fully aware of that but another unkind outburst from the same member came out. My response was simple, 'Don't go in if you don't want to pay!'

 

The Tunnel was the life line of the Bosnians during the war. They were cut off supply of food and water by Croatian and Serbian snipers and Serbian fires. To overcome this, in early 1993, the Bosnians dug a tunnel in secrecy across the airport starting at a family home near the airport. We visited the house which has become a museum with bullet-riddled walls. I salute the courage of these Bosnians, with a sad story of sufferings and degradation of human dignity but determination and courage bind them together.
In the afternoon we spent our time in Sarajevo city at the market where we met a Malay girl, Nur Hidayah, who has lived in Bosnia and speaks Bosnian. She was visiting a friend there. Bosnian's craft was mainly of intricate copper work, too cumbersome to carry home.
The most memorable experience we had in Sarajevo was a visit to a Bosnian village and was welcomed by a family with warmth and friendliness. There are clusters of villages mostly at hillside with mosque minarets indicating they are Muslims. Detlef randomly drove into the hills with winding road and stunning views. No bus or big group of tourists would be able to access to these hillside villages. We were lucky that there were only 6 of us in a van. We parked at an open space to take photos of the majestic valley below and Sarajevo. We made friends with Shamil and wife, Sabarta and beautiful cousin, Aida who received us with warmth and friendliness. Thank you. Communication was mainly in German and English. They served us Turkish coffee. We hope to keep in touch with them.
Malaysia has a good name among Bosnians. Much help was given to them during the war and after the war.
The next day we left Sarajevo with much sweet memory, for Mostar and Plitvice.   So sorry, I still haven't found a way to write a short description of the photos......yyaahhhh (frust!)

Central Europe Trip 2 - Bratislava and Budapest

8 May 2012, exiting Praque to Bratislava, Slovakia for over 4 hours drive. I was intrigued to see the yellow and green fields along the way. Detlef and Shanta said the yellow fields are flowers of rapefield. This is a new learning for me as I have never heard of this. It seems the seeds of these yellow flowers are processed into cooking oil which could be found in the market. I have never seen rapefield oil in Malaysia. My curiousity got the better of me and requested Detlef to stop at any rapefiled farm along the way if he could. He didn't disappoint us. We stopped and had such great time taking endless photos in and around the field. With yellow background, it made stunning background to any photos. Thank you Det for this treat.
Bratislava, Slovakia was just a stopover for a few hours but Detlef was able to find interesting tourist spots for us. We found the War Memorial ground first and by enquiring people who could speak English or German, Detlef found the old castle. We walked on the castle ground as the castle was under restoration. It has fantastic view of River Danube and Bratislava.

A slight problem surfaced at Budapest when changing of hotel was not informed earlier by Izan. This was a real test of patience and integrity among the members. Poor Izan, she was not there to defend herself when harsh words were thrown at her. That's human nature.Finally I got a SMS from her saying another hotel, Hotel Gloria, was booked for us. Everybody was tired and temper was short. Hotel Gloria was a disappointment but served delicious bread in the morning.

Budapest is a fascinating old city with glamorous intricately architectured buildings. The Parliamnet House, the Palace, the city buildings are so rich with creativity and culture. The local tour we took the next morning was a pleasure led by an old gentleman guide who was so patience explaining in English and Spanish to the two Argentinian gentlemen in the group. The visit at the Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church was interesting. The roof of Matthias Church was decorated with beautifully crafted mozaic work. Since there was an official function was taking place at the Parliament House we were not able to go in but just took photos from the outside. At St. Gellert Hill, we were treated with magnificent view of River Danube and Budapest city. This is where Shanta lost some money for gambling guessing under which 3 cups something was put by the operator. Another group member had to drag her away from there. Naughty Shanta!! The afternoon tour was at the Opera house which to me was not necessary. The day was hot and we were tired after walking the city. The tour leader was not accommodating and complained that we were so slow. We could do without this tour.
An enjoyable evening occurred when we went Danube river cruising at dusk. Shanta and I had to remove ourselves from the top deck because there were thoughtless people who smoked and drank, disregarding other passengers comfort. Lagi teruk! When the day turned dark, the city was shimmering with lights - gorgeous and delightful.
Given the opportunity, I would like to visit Praque again. Jin has been talking about going there with me one day. Maybe I'll do that. Butttttt I have so many other places to visit......We'll see..
Alamak, macam mana nak label dan susun gambar-gambar ni. Tu lah bila google ubah program, saya terpinga-pinga tak tahu macam mana nak buat.