Sarajevo to Vares; 24th October

24th October

Some short sections leaving Sarajevo were quite unpleasant with a few impatient drivers driving inconsiderately. But all things considered it was not too bad — we pulled over a few times as some large lorries approached from behind, as a precaution.

After about 10km we turned east into a small road, leading up to the town of Vares. There was a railway line paralleling the road, as well as a river, and we passed several derelict factories on the way up.

Just outside Vares, derelict trainline -- it was a mining town during Soviet times, and the railway would have transported what was being mined out the valley, towards Sarajevo

We arrived in Varres just before 4pm. The hotel is very comfortable, having been renovated four years ago. Everything is squeaky clean, there’s a hob and kettle and a few pictures showing what Varres used to be like, which I haven’t inspected yet. Price: just under €40.

Statue of miner, with mosaic under the plaque -- the pattern reminded me a little of the decoration of the bus stops from Tajikistan

Just before it got dark we walked through the town. There’s several restaurants, at least two florists, some bars, a small supermarket and a pizzeria. I don’t know what it is, maybe the air of a post industrial town, but there’s something mysterious about it which I can’t put my finger on — despite being in the wrong country, I feel like it could be the setting of a Kurt Wallander novel.

After some food at the hotel restaurant; the bar staff told us we would get breakfast ‘on the house’ as per the owners instructions. I guess the guy who checked us in had told him that we’d come quite far, from Kazakhstan, and wanted to commend us!

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	0
Comment on this entry	Comment	0