Balkans_2018...You Only Live Once!

[nev]

Originally Posted by glitch

Yo, some of those landscape shots really only show their sparkle when on a "big screen".
Even better are the full-res originals on a 60" TV

We'll expect an invitation to beer and pizza and slideshow night at Chez Glitch

[asphalt]

Thank You for show us one of the biggest bike rides through the most interesting part of east european countries.
Due to the longtime isolation and closed borders from Albania, ....the balkan war in the last century, there was not
really easy to visit such beautyful countries like Montenegro, the Kosovo and parts of Kroatia or the new born nation
of Republic "New Mazedonia" ( before a district of Serbia) wich renamed offical, one month before!
I love these yarns and would to know more impressions and experience of riders from all over the world.
I wish You happy ridings in the new season

[glitch]

Originally Posted by asphalt

Thank You for show us one of the biggest bike rides through the most interesting part of east european countries.
Due to the longtime isolation and closed borders from Albania, ....the balkan war in the last century, there was not
really easy to visit such beautyful countries like Montenegro, the Kosovo and parts of Kroatia or the new born nation
of Republic "New Mazedonia" ( before a district of Serbia) wich renamed offical, one month before!
I love these yarns and would to know more impressions and experience of riders from all over the world.
I wish You happy ridings in the new season

Not really knowing what to expect (and with a good amount of trepidation), it certainly turned into one of the most memorable trips we've ever had.

And while the many border-crossings turned out pretty smooth, if often drawn out, it's amazing that the former enemies can deal with eachother in such a way.
I bet, that nothing has really changed underneath, though...nobody throws away centuries of historical friction just like that.
What I didn't count on was the natural beauty of the places, skilifts right on top of the first line of coastal mountains overlooking the Dalmatian islands and coast, the National Parks and Alpine landscapes and Australian-style bare, somewhat desolate and deserted High Plains, towered by massive peaks in the background.

Or those deep-green rivers, the huge amount of water cutting through the bare-rock and scraggly vegetation in deep, steep gorges.
It sure is one hell of a place!

And then there's the people, the food, the historic buildings and infrastructure, the whole feel of the place.
And just a border-crossing and 2 hours later it's all different again.

[asphalt]

Originally Posted by glitch

Not really knowing what to expect (and with a good amount of trepidation), it certainly turned into one of the most memorable trips we've ever had.

The same for us, when they opened the borders.
(Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Albania)

Originally Posted by glitch

And while the many border-crossings turned out pretty smooth, if often drawn out, it's amazing that the former enemies can deal with eachother in such a way.
I bet, that nothing has really changed underneath, though...nobody throws away centuries of historical friction just like that.

Sure, You are right! In the backround can be fatal. Often, they will use knives (the status symbol of many Balkan peoples),
for any kind of perceptive differences like. Family.- Clan and Neighborhood wars.
Most of it is a question of Tradition and Religion,.... often more than political confrontations.
I think... it is like all multicultures in all Corners over the world.

Originally Posted by glitch

And then there's the people, the food, the historic buildings and infrastructure, the whole feel of the place.
And just a border-crossing and 2 hours later it's all different again.

Yeah..... it´s really amazing and different

[glitch]

Originally Posted by asphalt

The same for us, when they opened the borders.
(Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Albania)

I can imagine...and living so close to those borders.
Just saw some news about the new wave of Refugees at the Bosnian-Croatian border, only 70km from Slovenia and 220k's from the Austrian border at Maribor.
It certainly is a "bubbling pot"