The Bridge

Mostar

Some two and a half hours south of Sarajevo through yet more stunning scenery is this old place, the biggest city in the Hercegovina part of Bosnia-Hercegovina. It's been a roasting hot day and the water around the famous bridge looked very inviting until I dipped my toe in and realised it was freezing. The bridge is the only show in town, it was originally built in the 16th century but the Croats blew it up in 1993. It's been rebuilt and was officially opened again last week. Whether the Muslim and Croat halves of the city will be similarly reunited is a bit more doubtful but on a sunny day like this that all seems like the distant past. It doesn't feel like Europe at all here, it's completely Middle Eastern, right down to the carpet shops and swarthy looking beggars. It'll be a huge tourist trap - just as soon as there are any tourists.