Tensions are Rising

Leaving Austria was alright but a stupid wasp or hornet attacked my face kamikaze style.  It swooshed right in and stung my lip.  So for the next few hours I had a fat lip.  I was a bit worried as this was the second time I had been stung since I had been treated for my wasp sting allergy years ago.  Luckily I didn’t react and blow up like the Michelin Man. 

From Austria we entered Hungary for a super quick hit.  We cycled quickly through and had the pleasure of being poured on by a few thunderstorms.  After that we entered Slovenia and it was pretty good on the whole.  We were low on water so I dropped into a bar in this small village and this nice, young Slovene girl filled up all our water bottles and answered my questions about Slovenia. 

When we entered Croatia we had our first border check since entering Europe.  Never like getting out the passport and doing the border control thing so it was nice cycling through the EU.  We cycled to Varazdin and there found a hardware store called BeauMax.  I needed a strong cylinder to keep my broken post for my tent together and found one there.  I then spent a good 30 minutes in the store cutting the meter long pipe with a saw.  Have to say my shop skills need some work but I got the job done and now have about 9 of these cylinders and the tent is holding its own.  Sweet deal. 

We detoured a bit west because we wanted to avoid Bosnia and Herzegovina as that country has many unexploded landmines and it isn’t wise to venture off the roads like we do when we stealth camp.  I still was worried in Croatia as they too have landmines but not as many.  As a result we picked our spots very carefully, that is, we camped in public places or in towns where we knew there couldn’t be any landmines.  Better safe than sorry.

From Zagreb we cycled south and met a few Croatians riding to the coast.  We rode a tiny portion of the way with them.  Later in the day I was again stung by some annoying insect that had a full on assault of my upper body.  It really stung me hard around my chest causing me stop.  We passed Plitvice Lakes National Park which is a nice spot with beautiful lakes and waterfalls but I didn’t go in because there is an entrance fee.  From there we cycled down to Korenica and Trevor’s bike all of a sudden seized up.  His cassette was spinning properly and essentially his bike turned into a ‘fixie’.  As a result we had no choice but to get a room in Korenica and do some research on how to proceed.  Unfortunately the following day was Sunday and nothing is open on a Sunday so we were stuck in Korenica for an extra day doing pretty much nothing.  On Monday Trevor hopped on an early morning bus to Zagreb with his wheel to get the thing fixed.  The axle cone in his rear hub turned out to be worn and the bicycle mechanic said he would need to replace it soon.  The only dealer we know of in the region is in Sofia so we have had to change our route up a bit. 

Getting past Split wasn’t fun.  So much traffic and we were honked at a few times as we probably weren’t allowed on the road we were on.  As a result we got off quickly and took a longer way around town.  From there the entire ride down the coast was unpleasant.  It was hilly and when we hit the coast we were met with too much traffic going down to Dubrovnik. 

We are now in Podgorica, Montenegro and are contemplating our next move on how to go about getting to Sofia, Bulgaria.  The road getting here was very stressful as the drivers don’t give much room and there are no shoulders.  So far this former Yugoslavian region is getting thumbs down from both of us.  

Taking a breather in a park in Hungary.  We passed a thermal bathing joint in Hungary which is the thing to do there and in hindsight we probably should have stopped for a dip because we both reek.

Quick stop somewhere in Slovenia for a water fill-up at a gas station.

Trevor exiting Zagreb.  Little did he know at the time it wouldn’t be his last and only visit to Zagreb. 

Trevor bored as ever in a park in Korenica waiting for the weekend to end so he can get a move on to Zagreb and fix his wheel. 

Trevor outside the bicycle shop in Zagreb.  Job done but he isn’t out of the woods yet.

It has been so hot we take cover when we can.  Here I am in a dirty bus stop.  

Hasn’t been fun riding along the Croatian coast but there is sure some nice scenery.

We didn’t avoid Bosnia and Herzegovina completely as we had to cycle a quick 10km stretch or so along the coast.  Passed through Neum which was kind of nice.

The Adriatic Coast… nice.

Trevor looking overjoyed upon entering Dubrovnik.  He absolutely hated the city as he dislikes anywhere there are too many tourists that do the hop on, hop off, take a snap and go thing.  Plus the road was just horrible to cycle on.

Montenegro is super hilly.  But with hills you get nice vantage points like the one I am at here overlooking the city of Kotor.