Sjenica to Novi Pazar via Nova Varos.

 The hotel Berlin is a great place to stay if you're ever travelling through this part of the world.  20 Euro a twin room with everything you need. After breakfast we made our way out of town for an easy day on the bike.  Our goal was to reach the town of Novi Pazar which is about 25kms from the Kosovo border.  As we rode out of town I paid particular attention to some of the homes and how close they build them to the road.  The photo above shows the roof of the home overhanging the road.  The house sits right on the side of the road.  I would love to be around when a foreign truck driver comes down this street.  Won't need any wind to take that rood off.

Our ride today was through the rural areas of Serbia.  With cattle roaming the roads and men tending to their flock we would wave to each other as we passed by.  The rural people are much friendlier than the city folk,but that's the same back home as well.

Our morning tea was sitting on the steps of a tea house.  Like usual the men are inside drinking tea and the air is filled with a pungent odour of smoke. We opt to sit outside and have our tea.  I walked across the road to the little corner store and purchased some Jaffa cakes, which are basically very sweet biscuits.  I had read that these were a real delicacy in the country and I needed to try some before I left Serbia.  Result, very nice indeed. 

The rest of the 65km day was spent dodging holes, cattle and cattle droppings.  This was perhaps the worst stretch of road thus far on tour, but at least the traffic was good.  We chose this route because we knew it would take us to places not many people would see.  I wanted to meet the locals in a rural setting and that's what we've been doing most of this tour.

We made our way downhill and straight into the heart of Novi Pazar around 11.30am.  It was early to finish the ride but yesterday was very tough with all the climbing and tomorrow has one hell of a mountain to climb so we need an easy day to prepare.

Peter went for a walk and found hotel Vrbak  which is very good for the price.  I would not stay at Hostel Han which is across the road because it's a dump and a complete rip off.  We went for the usual walk of town once settled in and now it's time to eat.

The photo above shows yet another palace we are staying in. 

Tomorrow will be up nice and early, which I always love doing, and then hit the climb to Kosovo.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.