Balkan Bike Trip - Part 3: More Serbia

Day 9: Bascki Petrovac, Serbia to Indija, Serbia

39.8 miles on bike

Today was a day of interesting gas station encounters.  We met this guy first thing in the morning - we named him the "gas station philosopher."  We stopped to buy waters and he heard us speaking English.  He spoke English and asked me, "what are you doing in the ass end of the Balkans?"  Between servicing cars at the gas station he gave us his opinion on Trump (somewhat of a fan) and of the American education system (not a fan).  He also informed me he makes 190 Euros per month, but gets fined 150 Euros if he forgets to wear his name tag.  I asked if he is considering attending a university to get a better job.  He said that is impossible since he dropped out of primary school to play video games.

We stopped in Novi Sad, a relatively big city an hour's drive from Belgrade.  

Novi Sad hosts a big music fest called Exit festival. It is at the end of June and advertisements are up. 

In Novi Sad we stopped for lunch and a crazy stray dog latched onto Julie.  He sat under her chair the entire time we were there.  When we got up to leave he followed us for about a mile.  

The bridge leaving Novi Sad and crossing the Danube has a bunch of locks on it.  I am not sure of the significance.  There were hundreds of them.  

Second gas station of the day.  We stopped for more water and the guys working there brought us some old desk chairs to sit on.  

We reached our goal city for the day.  Ever had pizza topped with pepperoni, cucumbers and french fries and egg baked into it???? 

Day 10: Indija, Serbia to Belgrade, Serbia

28.3 miles on bike

Today's ride was not too exciting.  It was basically urban sprawl leading into Belgrade - industrial parks, auto shops, a lot of trucks, etc... Not many great photo ops. 

This is yet another bridge over the Danube as we searched for our VRBO in Belgrade.  

Frank Zappa themed barge/bar.  

Had this Montenegro beer when we got to Belgrade.  I like the name.  

Day 11 - 13 Belgrade, Serbia

0 miles traveled.  

Took a few days off the bikes to visit Belgrade and rest sore butts, arms and knees.

Here are some scenes from Belgrade...

Julie's criteria for choosing a restaurant.  

1) Has outdoor seating.

2) Is crowded.

3) Is crowded but has one table available.

4) Is "cute" in some way.

The below restaurant checked all the boxes.  

Looking out over the Sava and Danube rivers from a famous fortress in Belgrade...

Men working in a hole in the sidewalk...

Two trips to this gym in Belgrade...

Burger after the workout...wow!

Evidentally cleaning your shoes with a hotel towel is a problem...

Great graffiti all over Belgrade...

Check out the 4th floor of this abandoned building...it looks like someone built an apartment or office within it.  Also notice the cool Owl art work....

Haunted house?

Next post will find us back on the bikes in Bosnia...