This article is part of a weekly series on cruising in The Sun Herald, Sydney. If you have done an interesting shore excursion and are interested in being featured, please send an email to jane@janeefraser.com.au.
WHO Kay Wood, of Glenning Valley on the NSW central coast, on her second cruise.
WHAT Learning about Croatia’s “Homeland War”, which was fought from 1991 to 1995.
WHERE Via the port of Vukovar, a small river city in eastern Croatia.
THE SHIP Kay travelled with her husband Barry on a 14-day cruise of the Danube River, from Budapest to Istanbul. The cruise was on APT’s MS AmaCello (aptouring.com.au).
“I had never even heard of Vukovar before our visit but I often find myself thinking about that scarred little town. The bombed-out buildings, pock-marked walls and vacant blocks still vividly recall the years of the Homeland War (otherwise known as the Croatian War of Independence) of the 1990s.
“Once upon a time, Vukovar was an elegant and cultured city; thanks to agriculture and industry it was a wealthy centre and was popular with tourists. The passion of our local uni-student guide, Ivan, made the more recent history come alive for us on our excursion.
“After years of fighting and destruction, Vukovar finally became part of Croatia in 1998. However, the devastation was almost complete and not all of the city’s citizens have returned since those terrible days.
“We meandered along the narrow roads past cottages with geraniums bright against the stonework and saw an old ruined hotel reflected in the glass facade of a new building. It is still a pretty and vibrant town, even though the population is… (click here to keep reading)
