BAYASANUSI: Kembara Iman Bosnia 2017

As salam, it has been ages updating my blog, with the last one being done half-cooked :) So, I have promised myself not to be lazy and start writing again before my brain starts to rot.

Kembara Iman Bosnia, that's what our Ustaz Aidil wants it to be called, deemed as appropriate. And so the story begins ........

I remembered vividly that it all started with a WhatsApp from a friend of mine, Rox asking if I was listening to IKIM FM at approximately 6.35 pm while I was driving home. She told me that there is a promotion on a Balkan trip as she knows well that Balkan is one of the countries on my want-to-go list. Since I was listening to another lecture on a national radio station, Rox has kindly forwarded me the contact number of the person for me to get further details. So, the query session started until we left Malaysia on 5/9/17.

The meeting point was at counter F11 at approximately 8.00 pm. The first couple who had approached me was Uncle Kamaruzaman and his wife, a very lovely couple who are businessmen residing in Damansara Jaya. Check-in of luggage was done and I had a quick bite at KFC with a newfound friend, Kak Fatimahton. Very witty and talkative but with so much traveling experience.

Flight to Istanbul was TK0061 at 11.35 pm and seated at 45K, while the one to Sarajevo was TK1021 at 7. 15 am seated at 19A.

Day 1 - 060917 (Bosnia Herzegovina)

We left KLIA for Istanbul although a bit late, safely landed before taking another plane to Sarajevo. It is quite a tiring flight but all seem to be better once we have reached Sarajevo and all ready to hop onto the bus. At the airport, we were welcomed by our travel agents in Sarajevo and is led by Mr Mehmet Kemal Koksal @ Kemal, a Turkish guide who is residing in Bosnia after settling down with a Bosnian woman. Others were Mr Serkan and a Malaysian, Zaim.

Lucky us as we were able to check into the hotel earlier. So, we headed to our hotel called Hills Hotel. Beautifully located within the high mountains and near the airport, we were greeted by two red men at the entrance. Dobrodosli means Welcome in Bosnian language. Hello there red man, I hope you do not get the backache for standing too long like that :)

Rooms were then distributed, fortunately for me as I am traveling single, I am allocated to a room all by myself. Was not expecting anything great until I opened the door to room no. 4001. It could fit a king and his entourage :) The interior details of the room were fantastic. Materials selection was tastefully done, sanitary fittings are Italian made. Awesome and just lost for words.

As we were given a few hours to freshen up and I took the opportunity to update my FB post and took some pictures quickly, uploading and saving at the same time. I changed my clothes and left the room for the bus. The next destination was the City Centre and we were all so excited.

After being picked up at the hotel, our dear driver, Sayed drove us to Turkazz Cafe where we had our Ta'aruf or ice-breaking session. The view from the cafe is awesome as I was able to see ducks dipping themselves in the water and the crystal water flowing through the stream. However, during the session, I was harassed by a local beggar who was then chased away by Kemal.

For the first time, I tasted Bosnian coffee which is quite strong for me. It will take a while before I can start enjoying drinking it I suppose :) Next, we headed towards the city center where we were all dropped for our walking exercise. Along the way, we could see the remains of the buildings which were attacked during the war in the 90s, some of which are the museum, university and library.

When we reached the city centre, I could not take my eyes off from the surroundings. It was absolutely beautiful, reminded me of Amsterdam, as the setup is similar along the river with so many bridges across the stream. I just fell in love, speechless. Subhanallah.

Inat Kuca - House of Spite

Named as the ugliest building in the city

So, what awaits you after a not-so-long walk? Yes, FOOD! Typical Malaysians we are. When it comes to that four-lettered word, we became extremely excited. We stopped over at a famous shop where we had a taste of Burek. It is like murtabak I would say, but very saltish. Some have cheese, some with minced meat and others.