Underground tunnels....I took a tour today of the underground tunnels used during the Bosnian wars of the 1990's, most countries in the UN felt conflicted about choosing sides and opted for the transfer of food to citizens as opposed to weapons and military forces. These tunnels were used to deliver food from the outside. I met a 70 year old woman on my tour today who had grown up in Bosnia but who had not returned since the age of 20 or so. She told us that during the Bosnian wars if a family from the outside wanted to send a food package they had to also send one to an anonymous family.

Sarajevo,Bosnia...I took a hike today to the bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, it's amazing to think that this was the event that became the impetus for World War I, and touring the museusms dedicated to every one of the wars fought here in the last 100 years one really gets the sense that this part of the world has seen more then it's fair share of action.

I haven't bought much for trinkets but I did pick up an engraved sugar bowl in the metalworking district in Sarajevo.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina...this is is the metalworking district in Sarajevo, many of the shopkeepers are working on projects just two or three feet from the door. The temperature dropped considerably once I left the coast and it rained for most of my stay in Bosnia. The poverty here was far more visible and panhandlers were far more aggressive. Luckily my hostel was full of really lovely people and we developed a sort of make shift tour group. ( :

Bosnia...I took a bus to Sarajevo via Mostar, Bosnia today and after about 7 hours have arrived safely. Bosnia and Herzegovina, though relatively close to both Serbi and Croatia, is an entirely different world. The primarily Muslim country has recovered much less quickly from the recent wars and the community in general has a far more conservative feel.

Paparazzi in Dubrovnik? Oh goodness, today was silly, we're staying in a hostel in Dubrovnik and because we left a window open we attracted a group of Italian tourists, what's peculiar is that we weren't in any stage of undress or anything scandalous so I started photographing them thinking it would shame them but no such luck...

Sea Urchins at the beach...We spent a lot of time at the beach this week, I'll be sad to leave the coast behind but I'm excited for moving on to Bosnia for a bit before a return trip to Serbia... ( :

Local kids playing lawn bowl in Sipan, Croatia

We took an amazing cruise today... we toured the Dalmatian islands, took loads of lovely hikes and had a fish barbecue lunch on the ship, I'm completely in love with this part of the world and trying my best to take advantage of my time here...

We did a lot of adventuring today! We took a hike through the islands of the Dalmatian coast and tried our best to make new acquaintances... ( ;

Touring Kolocep, Sipan and Lapud Croatia....

Kolcep, Croatia...

Kolcep, Croatia...

Dolores, Yeshe and I on the island of Kolcep, Croatia

We took a cruise today to visit some of the surrounding islands and the captain (who spoke no English) took a real shine to Dolores and I and presented us with homemade brandy.

Etc...

Funds did not allow for further time at the manse so I've been staying at the Fresh Sheets hostel and making lots of friends... ( ;

Beach at Dubrovnik, Croatia...I've put off Greece, possibly until another trip, at least for now, to further enjoy Croatia, I've met the most amazing people and am having an incredible time! I may, however, be making a brief trip to Bosnia to tour Sarajevo, until then, I'm making the rounds and seeing some of Croatia's islands with a wonderful new group of people, all backpackers. We really cover the international spectrum from the US and Canada to Argentina, to Germany, Ireland and England.... ( ;

This is exactly what it looks like...I gigantic pot of cheese... actually, it's a four cheese lasagna. I can't begin to tell you how incredible this was. I think Dubrovnik is for me....beaches, sun, cheese... ( : I am currently staying in a UNESCO protected mansion within the fortress walls in Dubrovnik. Because the summer season has not started and the Croatian currency (the kuna) is very low, I have the palatial place all to myself for a bit befor eI take a ferry to Bari, Italy so I can catch a boat down to Greece...