The Balkans, 2003

In May/June 2003 Laurence and Stuart were joined by Russell for another trip to visit George. This time they were based near Dubrovnik, which is in Croatia, and visited parts of Montenegro and Bosnia, hence the rather unspecific title of this page.

As in the previous visit, we were joined by our our driver, guide, translator and friend, Radovan.

This page contains a selection of Laurence's, Stuart's and Russell's pictures - click on each picture to see a larger version (sorry, there are no pictures of trams on this trip...).

We walked around the top of the wall which surrounds the old town of Dubrovnik... ...and we took many pictures, most of which look the same.

Just inside the old walled town of Dubrovnik, these steps lead down to the main street The square where we had our first break for refreshment... The main street through the centre of the old town of Dubrovnik (seen from the wall). Dubrovnik is a wonderful place in the evening. (N.B. The somewhat controversial cross is just visible at the top of the hill)

The new bridge to the north of Dubrovnik, the town is visible to the right We visited an orthodox monastery built into the side of a mountain Another view of the monastery A lovely place for a dip...

One day we visited the island of Lopud. This picture shows the bay where we joined our boat, a lovely morning. George enjoying the trip there... ...and Stuart... (click for more on Stu's shirt) ...and Radovan (on the way back).

One day we visited the island of Lopud. We arrived on one side and this picture was taken as we strolled across the middle to a beach on the other side Russell about to board the boat for our return to the mainland Later in the evening we ate by the sea

This is the main footbridge in Mostar, destroyed during the war, now being being rebuilt Looking in the opposite direction to the bridge, this is the main river running through Mostar Mostar suffered badly during the fighting... ...but evidence of repair and rebuilding is everywhere (this building is also visible on the right in the picture of the river)

Looking back to the bridge in Mostar, from the building in the previous picture This is what's left of a film mock-up of an attack on Marshal Tito's train George takes a breather on Tito's train Another delightful walled town (name TBD!)

Border crossing is inevitable, sometimes they wave you through, other times they keep you waiting for half an hour... A vehicle of the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR). Click here for more details. We only went near one minefield, so Russ had to take a photo... ...Russ couldn't miss this one either! Whole sheep roasting at a wonderful resturant.

The Gang (l-r: Laurence, Russell, George, Radovan, Stuart) This is the view to the right of the previous picture. The island is called 'Bikini'! On our departure, we got this view of Dubrovnik from the air... ...and this view of the Island of Lopud. The beach we went to is the "C" shaped bit below the aircraft engine

Stuart's Shirt

My scanner has not done justice to the words on Stuart's shirt, which quotes the manager of the greatest football team in the world, as follows:

The act of playing for the team makes every individual stronger.
Arsène Wenger

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We walked around the top of the wall which surrounds the old town of Dubrovnik...		...and we took many pictures, most of which look the same.

Just inside the old walled town of Dubrovnik, these steps lead down to the main street	The square where we had our first break for refreshment...	The main street through the centre of the old town of Dubrovnik (seen from the wall).	Dubrovnik is a wonderful place in the evening. (N.B. The somewhat controversial cross is just visible at the top of the hill)

The new bridge to the north of Dubrovnik, the town is visible to the right	We visited an orthodox monastery built into the side of a mountain	Another view of the monastery	A lovely place for a dip...

One day we visited the island of Lopud. This picture shows the bay where we joined our boat, a lovely morning.	George enjoying the trip there...	...and Stuart... (click for more on Stu's shirt)	...and Radovan (on the way back).

One day we visited the island of Lopud. We arrived on one side and this picture was taken as we strolled across the middle to a beach on the other side		Russell about to board the boat for our return to the mainland	Later in the evening we ate by the sea

This is the main footbridge in Mostar, destroyed during the war, now being being rebuilt	Looking in the opposite direction to the bridge, this is the main river running through Mostar	Mostar suffered badly during the fighting...	...but evidence of repair and rebuilding is everywhere (this building is also visible on the right in the picture of the river)

Looking back to the bridge in Mostar, from the building in the previous picture	This is what's left of a film mock-up of an attack on Marshal Tito's train	George takes a breather on Tito's train	Another delightful walled town (name TBD!)

Border crossing is inevitable, sometimes they wave you through, other times they keep you waiting for half an hour...	A vehicle of the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR). Click here for more details.	We only went near one minefield, so Russ had to take a photo...	...Russ couldn't miss this one either! Whole sheep roasting at a wonderful resturant.

The Gang (l-r: Laurence, Russell, George, Radovan, Stuart)	This is the view to the right of the previous picture. The island is called 'Bikini'!	On our departure, we got this view of Dubrovnik from the air...	...and this view of the Island of Lopud. The beach we went to is the "C" shaped bit below the aircraft engine