We started the day with a massive breakfast, which was prepared by our attentive hosts, overlooking that Danube (and Serbia on the other side of the river). Fresh tomatoes from the garden, quince jam from the tree providing shade for us and cheese and ham prepared by the extended family. As our ride was short today we could enjoy a leisurely breakfast and chat with our host. We were offered rakija with breakfast but we declined (though the temptation was great).
Today was our easiest ride so far being under 50 kms. We started with a fun downhill section (after initially pushing our bikes up the hill from our accommodation - though James rode up the hill, showoff!). We made our way to the Croatian boarder crossing and completed this with minimal fuss then proceeded over the bridge to the Serbian border crossing. We were waiting in the car line with all the other people trying to cross when a very helpful truck driver told us we didn't need to wait in line but just make our way to the front of the line because we were on bikes. This seemed to be OK and nobody honked at us so success. Kieran would like to add that this is his sixth new country visited.
Once in Serbia we had a 10 km ride on the main road which required nerves of steel! We finally hit the cycle path which we had anticipated to be on dirt but found that the path was sealed and we enjoyed ramping up the speed into Novi Sad. Below you can see Gillian doing a happy dance about the surface and the shorter than usual ride today.
We arrived in Novi Sad in time for a leisurely lunch before heading to our apartment. Our apartment is located in a Soviet era apartment building (with an interesting lift) has a view of the Petrovaradin fortress on the other ride of the river.
We needed a little rest after our walk (and stop for a drink break in a little cafe to people watch). The centre of town was swarming with police in riot gear which we think was due to the football match being played tonight between FK Vojvodin and Red Star Belgrade (full time score 1 - 2).
As the sun was setting we walked up the hill to the Petrovaradin fortress for dinner. The climb was no where near as bad as we had anticipated and we think this is because we are fitter now then when we first started. The view of the city from the fortress is just stunning. We managed to get a table for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the city and watched the sun go down. We all took a moment to think how lucky we are to be in Novi Sad and take stock of the journey thus far.
After dinner we headed down to the old town underneath the fortress were there was a music/beer festival happening and the old town was going off. Novisadians are unbearably cool. It is a pity we have to ride tomorrow! Or not as things may have gotten messy. We can still hear the music from our apartment as we prepare for the ride tomorrow. We look forward to a little sleep in followed by leisurely breakfast and short ride tomorrow. It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of our journey.
Relive 'Danube day 29'
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