Balkans 4

 Ethno Village

After leaving Novi Sad, and crossing the border, we came to an “ethno village,” where we spent the night. It had some transplanted old buildings from farms and churches and villages. The trees were in bloom. Black swans were on the ponds. And it had some handsome goats. 

This is a bathroom. Lovely stone work. 

This fellow was testing for a Darwin Award. He was immediately thereafter bitten. 

View from my hotel room. 

My balcony. I would have happily stayed a few days to sketch and paint….

To be continued…..

Easter Blooms

 Christ is Risen

My next amaryllis is re-blooming, just in time for Orthodox Easter today (by Julian calendar). 

Blessed Sunday.

Balkans III

 Novi Sad Fortress

This place was one of the bulwarks against invaders into the rest of Europe. The Serbs have fought long and hard for their own survival, and in doing so, to keep others from encroaching westward. They were not always successful, being under Ottoman rule for a period of time, but they are back to their Orthodox heritage. 

The clock tower with the minute and hour hands reversed, so ships on the river could see the time.

Part of the defensive structures.

Always locks on the railings

Old trees along the fortress.

The “Monica Bridge” - one of numerous infrastructure things that President Clinton had blown up to distract from his escapades. 

More of the fortress

The whole underground is tunneled with defenses, and these chimneys let out the fumes from the gunpowder during shooting down below. (The interior was being worked on, so we couldn’t go in this time.)

To be continued…

Balkans II

 Engelberg

After visiting the monastery, we went to the home of our hosts. They have a view! 

Evening

Next morning, looking down on the monastery 

Hunting trophies 

Then we flew to Belgrade - a special flight in a Pilatus, flown by our host.

To Novi Sad

View of the ancient fortress

Driving into the fortress

Part of the fortress was made into a fine hotel in the last century 

To be continued….

Trip to the Balkans

 The Start

My brother and his wife visited us, and we went with them on a trip. It started in Engelberg. We visited the monastery there, and  a wood carving shop. 

The city has many lovely bronzes. 

We looked into a small chapel.

And then the large, monastery church.

To be continued….