Featured Touring Montenegro And Bosnia And Herzegowina

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by Markus, Sep 4, 2022.

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  1. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    #1 Markus, Sep 4, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022
    Part 1:
    Hello dear ones!
    Since the 24th of August I am now already on the road and have covered 2,200 km with my Honda and tomorrow after returning to Austria also 2,000 km with the car.
    Itinerary so far:
    230822: Arrive in Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and meet my dear wife:heart:
    240822-280822: Trip to Kotor in Montenegro and sightseeing in Montenegro
    290822: Trip to Ogulin in Croatia and relaxation by the lake
    300822-010922: Trip to Austria for administration and vehicle change; parking the bikes in the home garage
    020922-040922: Trip to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina by car
    050922: Return trip to Austria

    What can I tell you!? The Republic of Montenegro is one of the most incredible travel destinations I have experienced to date. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe and has a very low population density of 46 inhabitants per square kilometer. The country has not had its own currency since 1918 and has used all sorts of other currencies since then. Interestingly, the euro has been used as the currency since 2002, although the country does not meet any EU financial requirements. One has simply established a "unilateral" EU-independent use of the euro and only since 2010 has been granted EU candidate status for future admission to the EU. I find the prices in the supermarkets quite expensive, as the wage level is only about 400-800Euro/month.
    The price of gasoline is 1.35 euros/liter, which is very cheap compared to the rest of Europe.
    The local roads are at the same level as the road network I already used in the Balkans. Main roads are only partly dangerous because of missing or broken manhole covers, potholes the size of elephant traps, or "animal" encounters. All other roads you drive on at your own risk, because you must be prepared at any time that either the road surface, or the whole road is missing and you are immediately "offroad" on the track.. Since we were lucky with the weather and it was exclusively dry, we were able to achieve all our goals. In rainy weather, some passages would not have been passable with our tires. In Montenegro you can cover hundreds of kilometers in beautiful areas and winding roads. A real biker's paradise!!!

    The return trip from Montenegro via Croatia to Austria was also wonderful. First about 300 km on winding country roads and then about 800 km on various highways. Here it became apparent that the quality of the Austrian highways is far behind that of the other countries. I find this unacceptable when I think what we as citizens have to pay tolls for years!!!

    After a few administrative tasks and a family reunion we went back to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina by car instead of the bikes. We spent more beautiful days there and saw numerous cultural highlights.
    I'll be going home tomorrow and will be visiting my wife in Sarajevo again at the end of September.

    In the following some of our impressions.

    The bay of Kotor in Montenegro
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    The "traditional" animal situation on smaller streets
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    Kajak-Tour in the bay of Kotor
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    View into to largest national park in Montenegro
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    The largest freshwater reservoir of the Balkans
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    Mountain road with dozens of unlit tunnels, some of which also had tight bends.
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    Border bridge between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Note the road quality!
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  2. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    #2 Markus, Sep 4, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022
    Part 2:
    In the following some impressions of Sarajevo.

    The bridge where the assassination attempt on the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a nationalist Serb took place on June 28, 1914.

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    Building of the Bosnian General Staff where, like many other buildings in the city, you can still see the bullet holes from the war
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    Place of the pigeons in the old town of Sarajevo
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    Art academy
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    Park at the Bosna spring
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    The best "fish pan" with 3 river fish for 2 people I have ever eaten at the "Toplik" restaurant.
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  3. Dawsy

    Dawsy Cumbrian half-wit
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    Lovely Markus:grinning: Thanks for posting.
    The bay of Kotor is outstanding.
     
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  4. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Dawsy: You are right. For me it looks like a Norwegian fjord.
     
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  5. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

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    Looks lovely, thanks for the great photos and interesting report
     
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  6. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Dougie D: Thanks Dougie!
     
  7. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

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    Wow great ride summary. Loved your pictures :)
     
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  8. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    Great report. Looks like an interesting destination for the future.
     
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  9. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Wessa: Thanks!
     
  10. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Vulpes: I can really recommend Montenegro as a destination. Wonderful for biking. The people are nice and friendly. In the Bay of Kotor, however, the price level is somewhat higher than elsewhere in the country.
     
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  11. ian650

    ian650 Well-Known Member

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    Went to Kotor in April this year, your photos brought back fading memories of a beautiful mostly unspoilt country. We were told the total population of Montenegro was around the 600000 mark.
     
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  12. ian650

    ian650 Well-Known Member

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    Went to Kotor in April this year, your photos brought back fading memories of a beautiful mostly unspoilt country. We were told the total population of Montenegro was around the 600000 mark.
     
  13. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @ian650: This should be right. I heard/read the same amount of inhabitants.
     
  14. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Thanks for a really informative and interesting ride report, @Markus! And thanks, too, for the wonderful photos. It looks like you had quite a wonderful adventure! :):heart_eyes:
     
  15. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Sandi T: Thanks Sandi:kissing_heart:. It was another very interesting experience for us.
     
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  16. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Great write up and photos, thanks, Markus. That lunch looks bloody lovely too :yum
     
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  17. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @learningtofly: Thanks! It tasted great. I have never eaten such a delightful fish meal before.
     
  18. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    Low standards then? :p
     
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  19. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    No, but it was really great.:yum
     
  20. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    Just pulling your leg, mate! :p
     
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