Déjà Vu in Serbia: How We Accidentally Revisited Our Past
Last week, we crossed into Serbia — our first non-EU, non-Schengen border. Our research had warned us about the paperwork we’d need: IDs and passports, driver’s license, proof of insurance for both health and the truck, import documents for the drone, and more. It sounded like a bureaucratic hurdle, but in reality, the border crossing was surprisingly uneventful.
We learned quickly that we didn’t belong in the long line of LKWs (trucks) declaring goods. As an RV, we had the privilege of using the PKW/bus lane. Given our size, we opted for the bus lane, but the border official at that station was having none of it. Rather rudely, he waved us toward the normal passenger car lane. That meant reversing nearly 50 meters before queuing up with the small cars. When it was our turn, the officer inside the tiny booth barely looked up. “Is this a camper?” he asked impatiently. I nodded and handed him our IDs. He scanned them, and two minutes later, we were officially in Serbia. All that preparation, and it turned out to be one of the easiest crossings we’d had.
A Familiar Surprise in a Foreign Land
Our first stop was a small campsite near the border. The journey there took a few unexpected detours, as some roads were marked unsuitable for a truck of our weight. Eventually, we arrived at a cozy campground where the owner, Marko, welcomed us warmly. Navigating onto our spot was a challenge, with only centimeters between us and old trees, but Annika expertly maneuvered our 12-ton truck into place. Once settled, we took a walk, following Marko’s recommendation to visit a small animal farm just a kilometer down the road.
Imagine this: we had been in Serbia for less than two hours. As we approached the farm, looking through the gate at the landscape beyond, we were struck by an overwhelming sense of Déjà Vu. The wooden viewing tower, the small lake behind the trees — it all seemed eerily familiar. And then, the realization hit us.
We had been here before.
Back in September 2019, I had traveled to Belgrade for work. My former company’s office was there, and every year, they hosted a “Family Day” event, bringing together employees and their families for a day of activities and connection. Annika and I had joined that event in 2019. And now, by complete chance, we had returned — six years later, completely unaware, stopping at a random campsite only to rediscover this place again.
The farm was part of Zasavica Natural Reserve, a beautiful and serene area we had once visited on a corporate event, now stumbled upon as full-time travelers. It was a strange but wonderful feeling, as if the past and present had suddenly intertwined.
Exploring Serbia: Old Friends and New Adventures
From Zasavica, we will be heading to Belgrade, where I am eager to reconnect with former colleagues who have since become close friends. Some I haven’t seen in years, and I am looking forward to catching up over some good Serbian food — heavy on the meat, of course, even the side dishes!
Beyond the city, we explored Serbia’s natural beauty. A long hike in Fruska Gora National Park rewarded us with stunning views, while our KTM 390 Adventure gave us the freedom to ride through curvy mountain roads, passing ancient monasteries that seemed frozen in time. Every turn in the road revealed another breathtaking view.
The People We Met Along the Way
One of the best parts of travel is the people you meet, and Serbia did not disappoint:
- Marko, the kind-hearted owner of our campsite near Zasavica, who takes great pride in his peaceful retreat.
- An elderly man who approached us in Petrovaradin. To our surprise, he spoke fluent German and shared stories of his own travels. Originally from Croatia, he reminisced about the beauty of Plitvice Lakes. When we told him we had just visited there a few weeks earlier, his eyes lit up — it was a lovely, genuine connection with a local.
- A Dutch couple parked next to us at Marko’s campsite, who are on their way to China in their camper van. Meeting fellow overlanders like them reassures us that we’re not alone in our unconventional lifestyle — there are plenty of adventurous souls out there!
Now, as we continue our journey through our fifth country on this tour, we look forward to more incredible experiences, unexpected reunions, and the freedom of the open road.