Blossoming Hawthorn on Kozara

Hawthorn shrubs were in full blossom on Kozara, lots of them. Serbian folklore notes hawthorn (glog) is particulary deadly to vampires, and stalks used for their slaying must be made from the wood of the hawthorn.

Tree.

Crataegus. Hawthorn.

Crataegus. Hawthorn.

Crataegus. Hawthorn.

National Park Kozara

Walking on Kozara.

Walking on Kozara.

Resting under a tree on Kozara.

Meadow in May.

National Park Kozara

Bosnia is a paradise for hikers.

Hiking on Kozara.

Hiking on Kozara.

Hiking on Kozara.

Hiking on Kozara.

National Park Kozara

Bosnia - the nature wonderland.

View from the summit of Gola Planina( 874 m), Kozara.

On the summit of Gola Planina.

On the summit of Gola Planina.

View from the summit of Gola Planina, Kozara.

National Park Kozara

Bosnia is still a hidden treasure. But things are changing. Bosnia has been gradually explored.

Sheep on Kozara.

Walking on Gola planina, Kozara.

Walking on Gola planina, Kozara.

Walking on Gola planina, Kozara.

National Park Kozara

The third day we were discovering the National Park Kozara. The bus took us to Mrakovica. We ascended the top with a huge monument dedicated to victims of WWII from Kozara. The reputation of Kurt Waldheim was tarnished by revelation over his involvment in the events on Kozara in 1942. See also this.

The monument on Mrakovica, Kozara.

Unknown wild flower in a meadow on Kozara.

The National Park Kozara is covered with ample forests.

Finally the path led us out of forests Wonderful green meadows opened in front of us.

Banja Luka

During the war (1992-1995) about 70 000 Bosniaks and Croats (half of the city population) left or were forced to leave the city. They were replaced by Serbs from other parts of Bosnia and refugees from Croatia. Banja Luka is today a Serbian city. All mosques were destroyed.

The center of Banja Luka. The Gospodska Street.

The new Orthodox Church: Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Bosnia is the country where East meets West.

Kastel. Roman fortress in Banja Luka.

Banja Luka

After rafting the bus drove us to Banja Luka the capital of Republika Srpska.

But first we had to quench the thirst.

The center of Banja Luka. Gospodska Street.

The center of Banja Luka. Gospodska Street.

On the left the new Orthodox Church, on the right the Parliament of Republika Srpska.

Rafting on the Vrbas River

The second day in Bosnia we went rafting on the Vrbas. Bosnia has a couple of beautiful rivers very suitable for rafting: Drina, Tara, Vrbas, Una. Last year the World Rafting Championships took place on the Vrbas river.

On the Vrbas.

Of course I could take photos only when we were on calm water.

Rafting was a great joy. The boats were competing, some rafters were noughty and sprinkled people in other boats, there was laughing and screaming on white waters ...

On the Vrbas.

Minarets in Travnik

In 1991 in Travnik lived Croats (37%), Bosniaks (38%), Srbs (10%), Yugoslavs (13%). In the year 2005 Travnik was almost completly Muslim.The situation in Novi Travnik is similar.

Travnik in now a Muslim town.

Minaret in Travnik.

Minaret in Travnik.

Minarets in Travnik.