I'm still with Stupid: BOSNIA

The day after Christmas, we left Dubrovnik by bus and arrived in Mostar, Bosnia. We had to go through customs several times as for some reason the trip involved us entering Bosnia, crossing back into Croatia, before re-entering Bosnia again.

So far, Italy had inspired us with its amazing history, beautiful architecture, and great food. Croatia had awed us with its gorgeous views of the blue Adriatic. But, Bosnia blew us away.

Bosnia had the most exotic feel (for Westerners anyways), and the friendliest people (maybe just because they're not so overrun with tourists) of all the European countries. It also had, believe it or not, the best food (with the possible exception of Italy). And the saddest history....

Susan found us a room in Mostar that was a guesthouse of a UNESCO world heritage historical site that now serves as a museum. Notice the Eastern (Ottoman) influences in the room decor and architecture).

Courtyard of the Museum/hotel. Constructed 300 years ago, experts of Ottoman architecture consider this house the most beautiful house from the Ottoman period in the Balkans

Hobbiton, I mean Old Town, Mostar. But, this town seriously felt like it was straight out of Lord of the Rings.

The famous Mostar bridge. This bridge was destroyed during the Balkan Wars of the 1990's. Fortunately for us it was restored not too long ago. In the summer, some locals entertain tourists by jumping off this bridge 60' into the river below. Not in the winter, though, Mostar was frigid (and to think we were just running in t-shirts a few days ago in Croatia).

Mostar's artisans are famous for their bronze-work, which is sold in many of these hobbit-shops.

View from the bridge. After seeing clearest blue water imaginable in the Adriatic, it was equally beautiful to see this emerald green river flowing between the hobbit homes of Mostar, under the backdrop of nearby mountains.

The Islamic influence is very evident throughout Bosnia by the minarets that dot the skyline and the Arabic call to prayer which blasts from these minarets 5 times a day.

Along the canals and tributaries of the Neretva River, we found a slew of quaint, picturesque, and of course hobbit-like restaurants. And, unlike Italy, you could get an excellent gourmet meal on the cheap.

Scattered amongst all the beauty are the sad remnants of the recent war. This building, gutted in that war like many other buildings in Mostar and throughout Bosnia, waits to be rebuilt.

Day trip from Mostar to Blagaj where we climbed up to a castle on a hill. Now this place really isn't used to tourists, at least not in the winter. We seemed to have the entire place to ourselves. Making matters worse, the bus that was supposed to have taken us here never showed up (apparently it doesn't run in the off-season). Fortunately, we found a cabbie who not only took us out here, but came back 3 hours later to pick us up. He was thrilled to actually get two fares in one winter day, and we were even more thrilled that we had a ride back to Mostar (we were really worried that he might not return).