Roast under the Iron Dome

We had the opportunity to go to Juriza'a place.  He has a farm that is on the Vrljika River.  He has 6 springs that run through his property.  The place has been in his family for over 200 years.  He grows all of his own fruits, vegetables and raises chickens, sheep and cattle.  As you can see from these pictures, it is beautiful!

Ante and Juriza are explaining how he cooked the meal.  It is similar to our dutch oven cooking.

Juriza put potatoes, onions and zucchini on the bottom of the pan then he added chicken and veal.  He used 2 sprigs of rosemary for seasoning and 2 tablespoons of lard.  He cooked it for 2 hours.  It was delicious!

We enjoyed our meal outside.  Juriza and his young daughter served us.  It was wonderful!

The building in the pictures below was once part of an old mill.  Juriza's grandfather went to the United States in 1910.  He worked until 1922 and then returned to Croatia.  When he returned he bought the mill from his relatives.  Juriza is now converting the mill into a restaurant.  These pictures show the work he has done on the inside of the mill.  He has done all the work himself.  Part of the floor has a see through bottom because a stream runs underneath the building.

Pictures of his garden spot.

Grapes

Picking cherries

Rosemary

This church is also on Juriza's property.  The foundation of this church dates back to the 3rd Century, when Christianity was legalized.  The church is currently being restored by the local historical society.

Imotski

Hidden among the mountains are Red and Blue Lake.  Dry stone and the abundance of water trapped in stone makes Imotski seem like a mirage. 

This is Red Lake.  Even though the water is blue, it is called Red Lake because of the red rock that surrounds the lake. 

 Blue Lake is a funnel shaped crater sitting at the edge of the old town.  It is between 300 to 500m deep.

 Steep, rocky slope that surrounds the lake.

 You can hike down to the lake and swim.  It is a popular swimming hole.

The Old Fort at the top of the mountain.  You can see the flag flying.

 We hiked up to the Old Fort Topana.

 The Old Fort Topana which sits on the top of the mountain.

On the Road to Mostar

On the road to Mostar.

The ground is very rocky but somehow it seems to have lots of vegetation.  This is a flowering bush growing in the rocky ground.

 This is the citrus capital of Croatia.  They have built a canal system in order to water the plants.  These fields sit in a valley beneath the mountain range.

Small Village on the way to Mostar.

Mostar

Mostar was the capital of Herzegovina.  It is the economic and cultural center of Herzegovina.  It is famous for the historical bridge that connects Eastern and Western Herzegovina.  The town spreads out on both sides of the river.  Mostar was hit hard in the war and in 1993 the bridge was destroyed.  It was later rebuilt.  Many land marks were bombed and destroyed during this time.  Evidence of the war can still be seen in the city.  The city is divided between the Christians and the Muslims.  The Christian side of the city has made repairs to the buildings, while in contrast, the Muslims have not.  These pictures show some of the destruction that still stands today.

The church was totally destroyed during the war.  When they rebuilt the church they built the bell tower 3 times higher than it previously stood.  They wanted it to be seen through out the city.

The church is still under constructions.

The bride marks the end of Christianity and the beginning of Muslim.

The towers stand on each end of the bridge.

Close up of one of the towers.

There is a special beauty that encompasses the bridge.  The brilliant skill of connecting the stone blocks into an arc gives it a special charm.  The river running below is clear and serene.  It is a beautiful sight.

Views of the old city from the bridge.

View of the tower that sits on the side of the bridge.

View of the river.

We watched people swimming in the river and divers diving off the platform.  It was 110 degrees today, so the water looked very inviting.

When you cross to the other side of the bridge it is like stepping into a different world.  This is the Muslim side of the bride.  The old streets are lined with tiny shops selling their goods.

Fountain of fresh water.