Well my dear friends what a journey. What! What! Now originally the journey should have taken 15 and a half hours but due to that train strike I told you about I got to Belgrade at 09:25. You know me by now I cannot cope with dramas. A strong cup of tea was in order I can tell you. So here I am on the train station having spent the day yesterday and most of today in Belgrade. We are due to depart for Sofia in Bulgaria at around 21.30 as I need to get there by tomorrow if I am aiming to arrive in Egypt on Saturday evening.
Now Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia and did you know that its name translates to White city. So I spent yesterday exploring this exciting and historical city. My first stop was Belgrade Fortress, which consists of an old citadel and Kalemegdan Park. It sits on the union of the Rivers Sava and Danube. I had a lovely time looking around and enjoying the rich historical heritage of Belgrade.
Now if you delve into Belgrade's tumultuous past there has been conflict from Roman times until the Cold War. I went to explore the Belgrade underground and went on a fascinating two-hour tour of subterranean caves, bunkers and secret passageways. It was very informative although I am not a fan of the dark. What!What!
On the tour of the underground I meet Branislav and Ana who were a very friendly couple from Nis, which is a city south of Belgrade. Interestingly Branislav’s name is Serbian and means ‘glorious protector’, while Ana tells me that her name is also Serbian and means ‘grace’. I am not sure what Phileas means I may have to, what do you call it? ‘Google’ that information. They were in Belgrade for a short holiday and invited me to join them for supper in Skadarska, which is famous for its Balkan taverns, strolling musicians, cafés and art galleries. During the evening the restaurants spill out onto the street, with theatre and cabaret performers entertain customers and passers-by. It was a lovely sight with lots to entertain us I can tell you. We went to the Tri Šešira restaurant, which translated in English is the ‘Three Hats’ and once it was a millinery. We had a wonderful evening with good company, food and conversation.
Today I had a well deserved lie in as I think all these train journeys are wearing me out. So I spent the afternoon reading in a local café and exploring Sveti Sava which is the world's biggest Orthodox church, a fact made entirely obvious when looking at the city skyline from a distance or standing under its dome. The church is built on the site where the Turks apparently burnt relics of St Sava. Work on the church interior (frequently interrupted by wars) still continues today.
So here I am now on the train station another overnight train journey awaits. This time apparently the train journey between Belgrade and Sofia takes nine and a half hours but hopefully there will be no train strikes this time!
Toddle pip!
Toddle pip!