It is sad that tourists will come who know or care little about the people who were so recently murdered here. They will slurp the oysters and ignore the mass rapes.
The old Yugoslavia became a forsaken country. It is little better now, despite the tourist industry hype.
I dined many times in Mali Ston between 1995-2001. It was a routine stop when travelling between Split and Dubrovnik. Best oysters I have ever had. Wonderful people and beautiful town.
5
I am not a fan of eating oysters after having in my youth researched their mode of life and chemical composition. With all due respect To M.F.K. Fisher and ostreivores of the world, I lose no sleep over the stories of the plight of oyster-growers in the Arcachon Basin of France, in "Herzoslovakia" of this article, or elsewhere.
The ecological changes wrought, mostly for the worse, by big environmental projects are blood on the heads of the shortsighted governments, while the people's protests are ignored.
2
Turn right off the hiway to Korcula..Moli Ston is 200 years on the right. Know it well! Been there many times and can validate the wonderful cuisine served. Although, now Croatia is a prime tourist location and the buses sometimes crowd out the only parking areas.
As an American military officer with a NATO team in Dubrovnik during the air war against Serbia mid 1999..there were no tourist. The Balkan War (Bosnia, Croatia and Serb controlled Bosnia) was over..but scares remained then..and currently. Mostar is essentially two cities...one Bosnian (of the Muslim faith..the other Croat of Christian faith).
Having been back many times..as late as 2016 & 2017..not much has changed to bring these warring factions together, especially Bosnia with the Serb Republic as an "entity" with the county of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Neum is on the road from Mostar or from Markaska (Croatia)...only 5 miles or so does the road pass thru Bosnia. With the new Chinese built bridge, Neum will be bypassed and the town will die. Another blow to the people of Bosnia who remain today the victims of the three (3) siege of Sarajevo and the various rape camps (Doboi to name one of the largest located at the former Olympic village-Olympics held in Bosnia 1984).
Back to Moli Ston..excellent fresh seafood...enjoy!
9
A wonderful story - about a beautiful country and it's friendly folks.
How did I miss this in my visit to Croatia ??
I drove by there or near enough when I crossed into Bosnia.
But a good excuse to go back.
I like that line about socialism and warm wine.
One thing to note - I wish the reporter had told us how the shells of oysters are formed and in such a short time of a year.
I love oysters - and in New Orleans where I lived for three glorious years - they have a rule. Don't eat oysters in a month that does not have an "r".
5
My husband & I were lucky to have enjoyed this same oyster farm experience in October 2018 on a clear sunny day. Our boat captain/guide/oyster gatherer & chef worked for the owner & his son. Ate oysters straight from the sea with lemon & olive oil; also mussels & oysters grilled right on the platform with chilled Croatian wine & crusty bread. Highly recommend this experience, and visiting Croatia in general. Everyone should visit Dubrovnik before rising sea levels damage this treasure; Plitvice National Park is spectacular; don't miss the Museum of Illusions in Zagreb.
5
I won't eat anything from the ocean.. Everything is filled with mercury ... "Fresh Fish" is a thing of the past.
And those of you who cry that "whales" are still being harvested.. they are the worst things on earth to ingest- feel sorry for the people eating them. Whale eating won't last much longer anyway.
2
@Aaron
And a Happy New Year to you, too.
25
The oysters in Mali Ston are great and the folks who live there as well. A wonderful place to visit.
5
Despite ecological impact to oysters and mussels in the region, the Balkans choose a clean renewable energy. A bitter pill to swallow. Contrast that to this present administration who push back against clean renewable energy. No leadership at all to global community. If not ecologically invasive, the oyster and mussel of Mali Ston Bay are welcome to clean up the bottoms of Hudson and Delaware Rivers, repopulate the oysters and mussels, create reef and revitalize the bivalve delicacies and industry in the area just like the mid-1800's.
10
Eating oysters is living more dangerously, world wide.
If they aren't kept cool right after harvesting, there are some severe health hazards from bacteria, including e. coli.
Warming sea water temps are also creating havoc on the oyster farms. Buyers beware. Know your fishermen, if you can.
14
@MV I agree, but for those who are thinking about visiting Mali Ston and eating oysters there, I can attest that the oyster harvesters there know what they're doing.
I lived in Dubrovnik for about a dozen years a couple of decades ago. During the cooler months of the year I used to visit Mali Ston an average of twice per month. I always ate oysters there and often took some home with me, and never once became ill.
8
@MV
I have an "r" in my name so I can eat them any month. Or does that seem wrong somehow?
11
I think I had some bad oysters when I visited the west part of France, between Normandy and Brest; my gut wasn’t ready for the bacteria or whatever that made me feel ill for about a half a day. Not too interested in a do– Over either, since oyster hype is probably just that… Something that people do for sexual enticement or what have you