SERBIA: BACK TO BELGRADE & GOODBYES

Posted August 4, 2009 by David McGuinness

This morning started with an early visit to the much-hyped Lake Paliċ. Apparently it is very popular and a lot of money is spent on promoting it as a destination. On first glance it was hard to see why. It was a lake with a promenade full of cafes, a few boats and bikes that could be rented and a few kitschy building. On closer inspection… well, there was not much more really. I guess it’s probably a nice place for a relaxing half-day, a place to take the kids and swim in the lake but I felt a bit disappointed, though Snežana, our guide of choice had warned me. Then it was time for the bus back to Belgrade, where, on arrival, I had to fill in a list of all the places I had been, on which night, in which hotel, etc etc. A little paranoid, the authorities, I think.

Anyway tomorrow is my last full day here, so a couple of meetings, check a couple more hotels, buy a souvenir perhaps and then back to the UK on Monday morning. I will be sad to leave and I will mostly miss the great Serbian people and the very warm welcome I received throughout this lovely country.

So I met up with Mikica for one last coffee in Belgrade. She invited me to visit her relatives for a big BBQ (she just came back from have a spit-roasted pig with her family) next time I came back, offered me the use of her beachside appartment in Montenegro and anything else she could think of.

I was sorry to say goodbye, but anyway she insisted on driving me to the airport the following morning. She arrived on time as ever and as I drove out to the airport I felt sure I will be back in Serbia and before long. Ziveli Serbia!

This blog is part of an Off-The-Beaten-Track Travel Diary. Click on the links below to navigate through this journey.