Balkan Discovery Trip. Day 2: Bihac, Bosnia & Herzegovina

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We had to leave for Bosnia and Herzegovina, so we had to be in the hotel lobby by 7:30 a.m. But before that, we were taken to Maksimir Park, which was supposed to be in yesterday's itinerary. Passing through the GNK Dinamo football club, we arrived at the park entrance.

We could not fully explore the vast one-acre public park in the allotted two hours. However, following a quick briefing by Akin, the tour leader, we were given enough time to enjoy some fresh air in the early morning. 

Breakfast at Westin


The park entrance





The Mogila statue, a symbol of the Croatian kingdom



Dedek is the oldest oak tree in the park, located near the Third Lake.

Leaping at the Third Lake

A big stage in the middle of the park









Then, the trip continued to the next city, Bihac, about 155 kilometers from Zagreb, but not before we made a stop at Rastoke village, located in the town of Slunj. The view of natural phenomena like small waterfalls and cascades along the Slunjčica River left us totally flabbergasted. After the brief stop, we had our lunch at the nearby Plitvički Dvori restaurant. The served fish seemed to be from the river.








Fresh air and a beautiful river stream

Nu'man is enjoying the view.

Rupa macam ikan jaket


We arrived at the Bosnia-Herzegovina border crossing at 3 p.m. We were not permitted to take pictures while waiting in line to have our passports checked. Although there were only us in the line, it took about an hour to acquire the pass because there was no officer on duty. And we'll have to wait a long time.

When we arrived at Bihac, 14 km from the border crossing, we stopped at Fethija Mosque, a former Catholic church built in 1266. It was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman period in 1529. We had our Dhuhr and Asr prayers before continuing to visit the Turbe Mausoleum, just 450 meters from the mosque. The mausoleum was built to show reverence for the defenders of the city who died in the fight against the Austro-Hungarian troops. Besides the mausoleum, stood Kapetonava Kula, the Captain's tower.

Fethija Mosque



Crkva Svetog Ante Padovanskog (Church of Saint Anthony of Padua)

The Captain Tower (Kapetanova Kula)


The mausoleum
The tower just beside the mausoleum

The Captain Tower on the other side, facing the river

The stream of the Una River from Croatia continues flowing up to Bihac, making the view of the small town even more beautiful. The crystal-clear water made us feel so calm, especially when we saw groups of geese swimming on the riverbank. Just about that time, we checked in to the Hotel Lobby (I meant the hotel's name) and had dinner served.




Late autumn

View from the hotel room in the evening

Refreshing soup on a cold day...

and a simple dinner

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