Vukovar, Croatia

We arrived in Vukovar, and are awaiting the custom clearance. Our guest lecturer has not been allowed to come aboard so we are having the lecture via internet from his location at the custom’s office. More later – gotta catch the lecture!

The lecturer was finally allowed to board and gave a  lecture was on the history of Croatia how Vukovar survived the aftermath of the Croatian War of Independence.

After lunch on the ship we took a short walk through the town Of Vukovar. The town was completely devastated by the Serbs in the Croatian War. The town had defended itself for 87 days before it was overrun. The Serbs had planned to take the village in 3 days. Since they could not, the leveled it as punishment. The town has almost completely rebuilt itself. We passed the War Memorial overlooking the Danube, passed by the Grand Hotel which has been refurbished but still not being used. We walked along the pedestrian street filled with various coffee shops. They are segregated between Serbian and Croatian. The difference can only be identified by the locals who know the subtle differences between them. I purchased cards and stamps, and stopped for a local beer. Later I visited the Church of St Philip and James and strolled through other parts of the village.

After lunch we took a bus to a small village near Osijek, where we visited a family that rebuilt after the war. They offered us cake and coffee, and a taste of their local cherry and plum brandies. They shared with us how they have rebuilt and become self sustaining with their gardens and animals.

Later that afternoon I spent some more time walking around the village of Vukovar.

Tomorrow Pecs, Hungary.