In October 2019, we took our first-ever bus tour, and it was through Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. I wrote this poem on the last day of the tour as a means of sharing gratitude and memories of the experience. Everything has a story.
We came from around the world, most arriving on October 5
We were to travel the Balkans to see them come alive
Trafalgar was the company and had sent their very best
Laszlo to drive the bus, and Stu to ensure we were happy guests.
We came from different countries or neighbourhoods
Speaking English with accents not always easily understood
A few travelled by themselves, but the majority with their spouse
We even had brothers and sisters but without their family house.
We listened to sad and funny stories, had a tune along the way
We heard of wars and history, and of how people have their say
We ate their foods, enjoyed their wine and a rakika once or twice
Met several local experts, finding them all to be very nice.
We crossed from Zagreb and Sarajevo, with passports ready ‘til we were done
We visited old war tunnels and climbed to where gold medals were won
Onto Mostar with its’ divers, and through to the Adriatic coast
In Dubrovnik we cruised the harbour and walked the city most.
From this old walled beauty, we made a trip further to the south
To see Kotor, and the bay serving as Montenegro’s mouth
Back to Dubrovnik, then a trip up to Hvar and the old city of Split
Both locales were hot and sunny, and considered to be a hit.
We put away our passports as we moved from coast to higher land
Visited Barac caves, then strolled around the falls of Plitvice’s wonderland
We drank pear and plum brandy at a Burger King along the way
Then finished our journey in Zagreb where the last night we did stay.
It turns out this was Laszlo’s last tour, a surprise to all of us
He’ll now be with with his family but expect him to miss his bus
Stu wraps up the tour season and returns to Spain with a smile
He has finished with a great tour, and now enjoys his family for a while.
For the thirty-two individuals who spent twelve days of their life
Travelling three different countries without there being strife
We enjoyed getting to know each other as we saw the many sights
Thankful for experiencing together the promised Balkan delights.