Belgrade, 2 August

Saturday and Belgrade. We have heard that it is going to be very hot today and our friends are very happy about that. They say that they have had a very bad summer so far. 

Woke up in the marina to a beautiful day. Visited Delta City, a relatively new, enormous shopping mall with all the shops you can think of, including H&M, Marks and Spencers, C&A, Beneton etc etc and even Costa coffee. Of Course many, many more coffee shops because here is really a coffee shop culture.

Alexander and his family, wife, Natalia and son Milan gave us an interesting tour around Belgrade. Here we are at what is locally known as " the horse" this is a statue of the son, Michail, of a ruler who had a dream for a United Serbia. (Will check the name of the ruler and his son)

During our walk through the park on the way to the fortress, Milan lost a baby tooth. Great excitement and great expectations for the tooth fairy. Imagine, the tooth fairy is so international!

View from the Fortess 

A view of the Sava joining the Danube river.

Alexander told that over history Belgrade had been conquered, burnt and destroyed about 41 times. The Fortress was under Turkish siege for 81 years before they finally succeeded in the 1560. 

The latest attack on Belgrade was the NATO bombings in 1999. The ministries that were targeted are still standing as sore reminders of mans stupidity.

The happy family and the traveller.

First Alexander took us to have a beer at his very, very favourite place, the Red Stars football stadium. After that we had dinner/lunch (5 pm) at one of his favourite local restaurants. And we had a meal to compare with the best we have ever had.

Milan with his fifth or was it seventh ice cream for the day.