An Englishman in the Balkans.

In this episode I’m out and about enjoying coffee in the early evening on the outskirts of Banja Luka. Catching up for a coffee on the banks of the River Vrbas and talking to Vanja Mišić, an accomplished singer and songwriter from Banja Luka.  We’ll listen to some of her songs, plus find out about what the music industry is like in this part of the world, her musical journey, mental health and her...

In this episode I talk to David Harmes, a Canadian, who at the age of 22, was a Documentary Photographer for the Red Cross in 1993’s war torn Croatia, experiencing the effects of conflict and Dodging Mines. He came back to the region some 16 years later and this time was thrown out of one of them. It ’s quite the story. Osijek - Croatia -1993. Just a few of the images from David’s time in Osijek i...

Hello and welcome to this week's post, which is audio based. Why? Well this 13th February is World Radio Day. As you will know from following the blog, plus my content on social platforms, I have always been passionate about radio. In fact, I came to Bosnia and Herzegovina back in 1998, to launch a radio station! Back to this post. My initial plan was to write about the history of this UN launched...

Between 2002 and 2004, a successful Club in Leeds UK, called SpeedQueen, temporarily set up in the north west of Bosnia and Herzegovina to bring a new experience to the youth of the area. NATO at that time had a byline for their operation. It was “Mir i Tolerancija”, or “Peace and Tolerance”SpeedQueen however, really hit the mark with youth audiences with their “Harmonija I Fantazija” or “Harmony...

In this episode of the podcast David and Tamara explain the 90 days in any 180 rule for people visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and also what you will require to do if you wish to apply for long term residency. For more information please visit the Service for Foreigners Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can also ask us any questions regarding visiting the country, especially slow tourism by l...

In this episode of the podcast David and Tamara talk about Zimnica - Winter Food. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwich? https://buymeacoffee.com/davidbailey Read Our Blog at Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovin...

In this episode of the podcast Tamara and I catch up with whats been happening recently to us. We talk about vaccinations here, our new video format for vlogs, Tamara’s recipes, visiting local towns and why people are returning to live in Bosnia and Herzegovina after being abroad for decades. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our...

Zoran Matić is a journalist, passionate about his home country of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). He's recently published the definitive guide for travellers to BiH, not only in his native language but already English and others which will follow in the near future. When a foreigner looks for things to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina their first stop is Brandts Tour Guide. Zoran tells us how that is. U...

Jonathan Groubert has a connection to Banja Luka. I found him some years ago through an amazing podcast (docucast), that Radio Netherlands had produced. With his Balkan connection, I wanted to find out about his views and feelings towards the region and more importantly Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also talked about the power of narrative journalism and how podcasting has developed. To find out more...

Some time ago, I recorded a short interview for a future podcast, with Elizabeth O’Neill, an Australian lady, who with her husband Gerard, were currently visiting the Western Balkans. She told me that they “Work Away” . They get themselves to their chosen destination country, and then work for a maximum of 20 hours a week in return for accommodation and food. I was intrigued as to how they found w...

This episode sees me talking to Ivy Sibincic a former journalist and chef from the Philippines who is now a Sustainable living evangelist. Ivy lives with her Husband, Slaven, and two daughters, In a small village in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to the border with Croatia. Ivy tells me about embracing the culture of her new home country, finding a more peaceful life and growing asian...

This past week I finally caught up with  Denise from Argentina  who lives in Banja Luka. We discussed life as foreigners here. Denise has her own  YouTube channel  but also has a very dynamic  Instagram account .If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwich? https://buymeacoffee....

In this episode of the podcast I catch up with Hubert Nijmeijer, the CEO of Netherlands based "HiHi Guide". Hubert has a new take on travelling (not tourism per se), which he feels is the way to go, especially in what will be our new "Post COVID World". You can find out more about HiHi Guide HERE If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to suppor...

David talks to Arch Grieve a Mediation expert from Dayton Ohio. David and Arch talk about Arch's impressions of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and his work with a project helping Bosnian youth determine their future. You can find out more about Arch Grieve: https://www.dayton.com/entertainment/personalities/dayton-punching-above-our-weight-internationally-group-leader-says/Frlh58juuh9HAd7zBK719M/...

Today’s episode its a bit different. Today I talk to Tom Beck who’s originally from Watford in the UK but now lives near Potsdam in Germany. Tom has recently published a Book called “Goodbye Britain” I am a Brit who left and settled in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tom interviewed me for his book, and after reading it, I wanted to find out about the stories that others who have left Britain had to tell....

In this episode Tamara and I talk about International Women’s Day or Dan Žen, but simply referred to as osmi mart (8th March). To hear more, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com

Tamara and David answer some of your questions: 1. Are there many houses made of wood in BiH? Seems that most houses are made of bricks. In Norway 90% of the houses are made of wood. 2. Is Herzegovina a separate geographical area within BiH? 3. What are the various culture that made up Banja Luka and the various cultures in present day? What about the people living there. What are their occupation...

Tamara and Me look at some Facts concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina. When researching somewhere to visit, I invariably land on links that say 5 fun facts about wherever, or 6 stunning places you must visit. So, on this episode we look at some fun facts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Without giving too much away, a few of them are quirky and not well known at all. If you enjoy the podcast please subsc...

Hello and welcome to the living in Bosnia and Herzegovina podcast. A podcast that tells stories from this much misunderstood country. In today's episode, we'll be finding out more about folklore, and in particular, traditional dancing. Back in 2019, I became aware of a young lady from South Holland, who had been dancing with a folklore ensemble in the nearby city of Banja Luka. She was at that tim...

Sounds of The Balkans In this edition of the podcast, we play some eclectic Balkan music mixed with some Balkan gossip . The tracks we featured are: Balkan - https://www.facebook.com/omikimusic/ (Omiki ) I Daje - https://www.facebook.com/SassjaSassja/about/ (Sassja) Baila Leila - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goran_Bregovi%C4%87 (Goran Bregović) Lasting Kind of Love - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

Sounds of The Balkans In this edition of the podcast, we focus on music from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia and Serbia. Some old tracks and some really up to date ones too. The tracks we featured are: https://www.divanhana.ba/en/biography2/ (Divanhana) - Oj safete, sajo, sarajlijo https://amiramedunjanin.com/ (Amira Medunjanin) - Ajde Jano Kolo Da Igramo http://www.snailrecords.nl/artis...

On this edition of the podcast Tamara and I visit the wooden church at Romanovci. Over the years, I have developed an interest in wooden chapels and churches, and mosques with wooden minarets, that are to be seen across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today I travelled the short distance to Romanovci, to see the church of St Nicholas (Sv Nikola). Sadly it was closed but I will come back to see inside. Thi...

Hello and welcome to this edition of the Podcast. In this episode, I catch up with Jose Angelo Gallegos a YouTuber and Filmmaker from California. Last year I interviewed Jose, who had arrived in Banja Luka, having previously produced and published "Bitter Sweet Bosnia", his first film about BiH on YouTube.   We talked about filmmaking, social media, the region, BIH AND much more. Especially what a...

Hello and welcome to this edition of the Podcast. In this episode, I catch up with Andy Dunn, a New Zealander who is visiting his parents in law in Banja Luka. We talk about his views and experiences in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Western Balkans and his off beat love with Uštipci. Andys Website is:  https://flukeartist.weebly.com/ ( https://flukeartist.weebly.com/ ) I highly recommend following A...

In this episode I get to talk to Jose Gallegos from California, who is back in the Balkans making films. After a brief visit to Serbia, Jose gave up his job to travel and make films. To find out more about jose you can follow him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/joseangelo/ ( https://www.instagram.com/joseangelo/ ) On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ReturnTheFavor ( https://www.fac...