Day 14 - Podgorica to Sarajevo
- manicmondeo
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
This was a day of stunning scenery as we travelled between two Balkan capitals.
In deepest Montenegro, we turned off the main route and ventured along some of the country’s panoramic roads. The first twisted up and down hills, surrounded by wildflower pastures in Swiss-style landscapes.
Then came the Sedlo Pass. With rugged peaks topped with glaciers and remnants of the winter snow still by the side of the road, it was jaw-dropping beautiful: vast, dramatic and seemingly endless. There were plenty of tourists on the route but it’s still rooted in tradition, as shepherds tending their flocks demonstrated.
We stopped to take a walk around the summit of the pass. The air was thinner but we definitely did see a guy dressed as a wolf.
Coming back down the mountains, we thought that would be it for scenery, but the Pica Canyon dazzled with its emerald waters and mountains too tall to see the top from the car.
The border between Montenegro and Bosnia was odd. Considering this was the direct route between the two capitals, we didn’t expect to cross a rickety looking wooden bridge.
However, instead of Bosnia, we appeared to have entered Belize. Red earth, ripped up roads, raging rivers, rainforest vegetation and animals in the road introduced us to our 15th country. Then came more impressive canyons, slowly guiding us to Sarajevo. The fact that we were 10 miles from one of the region’s major cities, yet still in awe-inspiring nature goes to show the variety of the Balkans.
It was raining but we sauntered down the hill to explore the city a bit. It’s pretty old town bazaar area caught our attention and we stopped for a drink, and to enjoy a heavy downpour and lightning storm.
This was the night the World Cup started and we’d have a free day tomorrow, so we treated ourselves to a few drinks.
At a skate-themed bar, two tattooed bargirls popped outside to speak to two older Muslim women sat at the coffee shop opposite. Despite their clearly different lifestyles, they were all chatting and laughing together. Religions and cultures live side by side here and, now, seemingly get on well in the main. They’ve seen what happens when they don’t.
Watching Mexico v South Africa, two Bosnians confused each other, speaking in English. One thought the other was Dutch. You want to see the Holland match ? No, the Norway match. I want to see Haaland play, not Holland.
Songs of the day
Jim: Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
Jase: Move Any Mountain by Shamen
Craig: Long Way Round by Stereophonics
Ian: Firma Illegal by Dubioza Kolektiv
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