9 August 2025 (sunny and hot) 40km

Five..Four..Three.. Two..One

Thunderbirds are go........... 

Bang on 6am I woke and began packing up. I'd said to Julia last night that if we got up at 6am, we'd be away and at the supermarket along the highway, by 7am. 

And so, it came to pass.

That they entered the holy sliding doors at 7am, as was foretold. 

Took a side road as the main road is truly a nightmare. However, as is quite often the case, we were soon back on the nightmare main road as the side road turned ugly, as in potholed gravel.

Even though it was only 7.30am on a Saturday morning, there were plenty of cars and trucks, quite happy to pass us with oncoming traffic. Fortunately, the further we got from Bihac, the less traffic there was.

Of our first 20kms, 17kms was uphill.

It was a steady gradient but when we reached a covered bench and table at Entrance 1 for Una National Park, the sweat was well and truly showing on our entire outfits. 

At this particular entrance there was an old guy, redirecting traffic, 2kms down the road, to what later became obvious, as the new Entrance 1 after putting in a brand new 20km stretch of road. 

What we didn't understand was why they employed a guy to repeat at least six times, whilst we were there, new directions to drivers, when a sign would have been logical and far less expensive. 

Anyway, as we sat there eating breakfast in our sweat laden attire, we spoke of the four dogs we had seen that morning on that busy highway, that had just been abandoned.

Three of them approached us at once, bit nervy, but we didn't speak and they fell behind our back wheels. 

After such a long haul uphill, it was nice to get a downhill into the village of Kulen Vukic, where there was a supermarket (of sorts).

Bought an ice cream and some fruit etc and carried on down that quieter road toward Orasac.

About a kilometre away, we came across a lovely little camp by the side of the Una River, with a flat shaded grassy spot, perfect for our tent.

First on the agenda though was a refreshing dip. Extremely refreshing and we reckon the water would have been about 10 degrees, but sooo nice.

We then did some washing and it dried in an hour.

After lunch we read and blogged and watched people attempt to get in the water. A couple did, most didn't.

As we washed the dishes, a group took over the bench we'd been at and they had just come down to sit, chat, but no swim. 

Decided to cycle into Kulen Vukic to a shop to see what they had. Run by an Islamy lady, so I knew alcohol was out.

Picked up some breakfast and we have some fruit for lunch, it'll just be dinner we'll have to check out at a restaurant.

Got another ice cream and a coke and rode quickly back to camp. Only took two minutes and my ice cream was not in good shape by the time we arrived. 

It's just gone 5.10pm and its 33 degrees. We've had another dip. It's just that sort of day. Ju feels a song coming on...Three chilly swims, two melted ice creams and a cold shower just before tea.

The next week has nothing below 34 degrees here in Kulen Vukic.

There are no camp grounds for 150kms, which means an apartment, as freecamping is just not an option, especially in this heat, with nowhere to swim, not to mention the landmines!

Julia has checked out one in Drvar, heading south...east..ish.

That is 36 Bosnian marks= Euro 18= NZ36, so that'll be interesting.

Aside from camp grounds, food supply is also very limited.

And I've got to "eat more meat".

Trying to figure out our route for the next while, taking all factors into consideration, has been occupying our minds a lot. 

A lot of Bosnia is very sparse on villages and food supply as well as camping and even water is a concern.

At 7pm we wandered up to the outdoor eating area, overlooking the river.

The crowd who were here during the afternoon have all set up tents around us, so that will be interesting, noise wise. 

Prior to eating we were talking to a Croatian guy and his English girlfriend who were giving us ideas about getting to Mostar.

He, like us seems to think we are in a bit of no mans land and the next week, may be a bit hard as far as bike travel (big climbs) food (lack of shops) and camping goes.

Plus we have 35 degree weather to contend with for the next week. Man I'm glad we don't live here. This global warming is getting ridiculous.

Well... the meal was delicious.

And we thought we had a great outlook last night.

Fresh trout with potatoes and a fig to finish. Washed down with a cold beer for me and a cold white wine for Ju, all for $58NZ.

Lovely end to the day.