Skopje, Macedonia
As soon as we entered Macedonia we started winding our way down the mountain (didn’t realise we were that high up in Bulgaria) narrow winding road following a fast flowing river down into the valley. Macedonia countryside on this side is a lot starker than Bulgaria, short stubby trees like the Cape.
The place I am staying in Skopje is at the top of a steep hill, didn’t mention that online! that said the walk down into town was painless and on the whole quite uninteresting until… I hit Macedonia Square – that was a bit of a surprise!
After walking along another street filled with shops and restaurants I see a huge, I mean humongous statue. On the other side of the statue is a huge square, shops restaurants, loads more amazing statues (most statues I’ve ever seen in a city), very little people, a castle and mountains in the background – very cool – not temperature wise it was stinking hot!
The old town is on the other side of the square tiny cobbled streets wind their way up the hill. Each side of the lanes are lined with little shops selling curios, jewellry and wedding dresses, a really weird mix of items. Oh and I mustn’t forget the ice cream – seems to be huge in this region.
When I got to the top of the old town, I crossed over to the base of the castle, people were sitting in the shade under the trees. I was finished by then from walking up hills in the heat, so laid down on the cool grass, next thing I know I was being woken up by some old lady kicking me to make sure I wasn’t dead – I wasn’t!
Today, I hired a driver to show me the sights out of town, a couple of German girls from the hostel joined me, a trip up a cable car to an enormous (everything is super-sized) cross on top of the mountain and great views of the city, a visit to a village that has the 14 styles of Macedonian houses – cute, 1164 Monastery – old. Then to Lake Matka and a boat trip on crystal clear water through the Treska Canyon to some caves – relaxing!
Back at the hostel, I asked about car hire, 5 minutes later I have a car on its way – I love little towns! Tomorrow, I will drive to Kosovo for a few days – glad I can still read a map not sure my phone GPS will work – next few days should be fun if I can find my way across the border…
