10 August 2025 (sunny and very hot) 0km
So, after having four more tents set up around us last night, loaded with teens and twenties, I was understandably worried that sleep would be non existent. Imagine my surprise to have the best sleep of the trip so far.
The sound of the water running over the rocks may have helped drown out any noise, but in general I think everyone was just more considerate.
When Julia got up at 1.30am for the loo, there were still guys at the bar, but she didn't hear any shouting or loud talking/laughing as we have done elsewhere.
Having decided last night that we will stay another night, just to plan our best route forward, we woke and whilst Julia looked at options, I read the novel Julia had found, written in English at the Plitvice camp and given me as a surprise on my birthday. So far, not a bad read.
The temperature was 24 degrees early on and the mist sat low over the water. With similar temps all week, we will probably have mist every morning so will be interesting to travel these roads at 6.30am. Will have to have our rear lights flashing for sure.
Had our usual breakfast after killing a couple of mozzies, who had obviously already had their breakfast from one or both of us.
Had an enjoyable chat with Keren in Noosa who is with Casey in the apartment. Casey has done a great job, it looks amazing. Well done Casey.
Today will be very relaxed, preparing for a big switchback climb out of here tomorrow. The one thing we have noticed since leaving Slovenia really, is the lack of cyclists. Racing cyclists have dried up to none and you may see someone pottering to a village shop, but even that is rare.
The other thing we have noticed since Italy, is the huge amount of smokers and it seems so foreign to us now, especially when they light up in a cafe. Here in Bosnia, a huge percentage of people smoke, seems like every man and his dog.
The rest of our day was very relaxed as we sat and discussed and wondered where to go next.
Bosnia to a large extent has huge amounts of nothingness, to be kind. Large stretches of no villages, no shops of any kind, no fresh drinkable water. So our planning has to be precise, especially in this extreme heat.
It's certainly not the touristy Bosnia that we are currently in.
Caught up with a Croatian guy Ivan and his English partner Pippa, who live in Zagreb. Ivan was busy photographing snakes in the water with his zoom lens. Seeing his photos helped keep our dips short!
They have cycled this area and said it's not really user friendly for cyclists as far as facilities go. If you don't have sufficient water at this time of year, you could be in trouble.
All of this has had us changing our minds all day. After swimming, relaxing, planning, reading and blogging, we're even more tired than when we got here.
Had a nice chat to a couple of Croatian psychologists on the riverbank. Both were very happy to meet us as they are massive Lord of the Rings fans.
Then we had another chat to Ivan and Pippa who gave us heaps of information about where we should go. They are good company and easy to talk to but we had to break away so we could throw ourselves in the river again before dinner.
Finished the day with another meal at the restaurant.
Julia had fish again...delicious, whilst I had goulash, also very nice.
However, our nice little secluded spot by the river, which started with our tent down one end and Pippa and Ivan's at the other, now had another eight tents squeezed in around us. Not very hopeful of another good night's sleep.
Off to bed to prepare for another day.
That camp with its cafe and river does look a lovely spot ,can see why you were happy to stay a second night while you decide on your route from there. So what did you decide in that regard ? Sounds like you are destined for a long hot ride if you carry on through Bosnia. Are you looking to go over to Dubrovnik or would that take you off your current route ,although you did say you were considering heading for the coast . Hope your next day riding is a good one guys
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