Mostar was the next stop in Bosnia & Herzegovina, probably the must-visit city of any Balkan tour. Located in southern region, it is a vibrant and charming city that took us on a glimpse through time and history of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav periods.
One of the first things that we think of when arrived in Mostar was the stunning Old Bridge (
Stari Most). Originally built in the 16th century, the bridge was destroyed during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, but was later rebuilt and reopened in 2004.
In addition to its architecture and history, Mostar is also known for its lively atmosphere, with a bustling bazaar and a vibrant arts and music scene. There were several museums, including the Museum of Herzegovina and the Bišćevića Ottoman House, which we managed to visit one of them.
Pictures above were taken while we were on the bus, heading to Mostar from Sarajevo in about 3 hours.
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| Toilet break at Zdrava Voda |
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| Mazoljice village |
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| Our starting point for Mostar's visit |
As we wandered through the historic center of Mostar, we saw many beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture, including mosques, churches, and traditional houses. We took a stroll down the cobbled streets and soaked up the atmosphere of this charming city. On our own time, we visited the Old Bridge Museum and the Clock Tower. We were able to snap pictures of Old Bridge right from the top.
Later in the afternoon, One of the best ways to experience Mostar is through its cuisine. Traditional Bosnian food is hearty and delicious, with plenty of grilled meats, pastries, and sweet desserts to try. Don't miss the chance to try cevapi, a grilled meat dish served with pita bread and onions, or burek, a pastry filled with meat or cheese. And make sure you save room for baklava, a sweet dessert pastry made with layers of filo pastry and honey syrup.
For those interested in history, Mostar has a rich and complex past that is worth exploring. You can learn about the city's history by visiting museums and historic sites, such as the Museum of Herzegovina and the Muslibegovic House. These places will take you on a journey through the city's past, from the Ottoman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond.
Finally, don't forget to take a trip outside of the city to explore the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of hiking trails, waterfalls, and parks to discover, including the Kravice Waterfalls and the Blagaj Tekke, a 16th-century Sufi monastery built into a cliff overlooking the Buna River.
Walking through the small alley heading to the bridge. We were ready to cross the
Stari Most!!!
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| It was quite difficult to get pictures standing in the middle of the bridge |
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| The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque on the bank of Neretva River |
We crossed the bridge and walked down to the river to take snapshot from below. The results.. outstanding!
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| Soon my profile picture... :P |
After being brought to the best bridge's viewpoint, we explored the old town on our own.
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| Walked along Jusovina Street |
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| A supermarket chain |
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| Kriva ćuprija bridge of Mostar at the back |
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| When googled, it shows permanently closed |
Unfortunately, the Hamam Museum were closed, so we decided to cross the bridge and visited the Old Bridge Museum and the Clock Tower. Out the five floors of this section, the top one contains a gazebo with a panoramic view of Mostar. We took a lot of pictures and captured the old bridge from above.
We all met up at Restoran Kulluk for lunch. On the way to our bus, we detoured to take pictures at
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.
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| Best lepak makan kat sini... |
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| View of Neretva River |
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| Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is an extraordinary piece of Ottoman architecture |
About 5km from the old city, we did our shopping at LC Waikiki Outlet and Binge hypermarket. Little that we knew that there are outlets at several places in Klang Valley. We bought shirts for next Hari Raya celebration (tak sabar nak raya...) and a luggage from Bingo, since our things seems to get more and more.
Vrelo Bune located at the ended a river, a natural spring water ensemble at small Buna river connected to Neretva. It was about short 15km drove south from the outlet. A lodge integrates the natural to the man-made architecture, makes it known as "Townscape ensemble of the town of
Blagaj — Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina" by UNESCO. This site is an absolute visit for any traveler coming to Mostar.
It was roughly a 15-kilometer drive south from the outlet. We stopped at the Careva mosque to pray because it was already Asr hour. While we waited for others, we accompanied Mr. Akin to Alea Caffe Bar for a cup of Bosnian coffee. We went for almost a km via bridges to get to Vrelo Bune. Buna wellspring was able to attract our attention vehemently that evening. We didn't waste any time and took the boat excursion inside the cave for 10kuna per person. The boatman told us about the cave. The spring is around 30 metres deep, and once a diver was not discovered until that day.
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| posing maut.. |
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| small cup of coffee but taste was really great! |
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| Entrance to Dervish House |
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| View from the bridge |
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| The Dervish house |
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| Healing time |
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| The boat guy |
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| Muka cuak... |
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| We were the first in our group to ride the boat |
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| pastuh prof-prof pulak naik lepas tuh |
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| Early dinner |
After dinner, we checked-in to City Hotel to call the day....
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