Fish Face

 On our way to Mostar, our bus turned off the main highway and parked at the entrance to a narrow road at the base of a stunning cliff face. This stop was all about lunch, but the attractions of the little creekside spot were compelling. A more picturesque lunch spot could not have been imagined. We walked along a  lane lined with tempting vendors, phone-capturing appealing waterside structures in a rich green landscape. We crossed a bridge to a waterside restaurant, grateful for the awnings over our outdoor lunch spot, as rain was threatening. Above it all, almost too much to take in, the beautiful solid rock cliff face, an intriguing white building at its foot.

I don't recall anyone mentioning the place, but a bit of detective work here at home has added to my delight at my memories. This place was Blagaj, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The white building is Blagaj Tekije, a Dervish monastery, built around 1520. Its architecture combines Ottoman and Mediterranean styles. It's considered a national monument. At the foot of the rock face is the source of the Buna river. 

 

The restaurant is called Restauran Vrelo. Here's their website if you would like to make a reservation. It also contains a few photos that describe the place better than mine do.

On the way along the river toward the restaurant, I wondered at the water feature below. When the plates were served, it became clear. They were trout ponds, and these perfectly seasoned little fellows were the result. Unaccustomed as I am to taking photos of my food, I didn't capture their sweet little faces. But I surely did enjoy the rest of them, along with traditional potatoes and kale.

We ate very well on this trip. I am grateful to the 15 to 18K steps we did each way, or I would have had to go jeans shopping on my return!