Day 138 – Bosnia/Croatia [Neum to Slano]


09/07/20

39km

  From Neum (Bosnia) to Slano (Croatia)

Europe


Back in Croatia – a day in the mountains with a splendid arrival in Slano (and a Howling Man in a Hut)

I had wanted to run all of today’s route in the mountains. But following yesterday’s border incident, I decided it would be wiser to try and cross the border on the coastal road, where all the traffic is. So on I went, for 10km of coastal road. Then I headed inland.

The uphills were quite demanding and there was not much shade to protect myself from the hot sun. But the landscapes around me, the quietness of the road, near absence of traffic, all made up very well for it. At km30 or so, as I reached the highest point of today’s run, I got my beautiful reward!

The view on the sea and all the scattered islands was stunning. I spent a long time there, sitting down in BoB’s shade, just trying to take it all in, to imprint this in my mind. All the fatigue of the morning’s uphills evaporated in the contemplation of these wonders of nature.

The Man in the Hut – In the middle of (virtually) nowhere, I passed a little firewatch hut. There was a man there, standing on the balcony, at height. As he saw me pass by, he started shouting very loudly. I could not make out what he said, probably in Croat anyway. I asked if he needed help. He started sort of howling. That was scary.

I did not know what to do, so I headed back out on the road and prayed that cars would pass. I met a tourist car. Stopped them and asked if they could check the “man in the hut”. They kindly said they would. Then luck struck and a police car passed me by. I stopped them and asked the same.

I probably will never know what was all the fuss about the Howling Man in The Hut. But it was my spooky moment today, it felt very lonely. Wanting to help. Yet I had a hunch something was not quite right. I shall remain unsure.

Today’s rest place, Slano is a beautiful seaside resort on the “Dubrovnik Riviera”. I sure am looking forward to reaching Dubrovnik tomorrow – the Gem of the Coast!



Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: