Prizren, Kosovo
I jumped into Jessie (my car) and headed for the border. After negotiating so many border posts through Africa I’m always a little nervous approaching one wondering what challenges may await. Happy to say none! The Macedonia official winked at me through the drive-through window and waved me on, even though I had an entry stamp – oh well! The Kosovo side took a few minutes longer – “ah” he said “you come from Toronto” (I’m a travelling on my Canadian passport) I replied “sure” wasn’t going to open that can of worms none of my documents are from one country, I look a bit dodgy on paper…
I decided to drive through the mountains, a beautiful very windy choice. I nearly reached the snow – if I hadn’t been so lazy could have touched it – don’t get the opportunity much in Cape Town!
3 hours later I popped out of the Valley into the crazy one way system of Prizren. Narrow little roads that all took you in the same direction – wtf!!! At one stage I thought I never going to find my way out, let alone to the hotel. I eventually drove out of town and started the one way system in the direction I needed to go and by chance found my hotel and parking (major bonus!).
When I arrived my room wasn’t ready the staff were so friendly, gave me cake – nothing like I had ever tasted before – still trying to decide if I liked it! I had four guys looking after me, it was very sweet not sure how many solo female travelers they get here…
The hotel was just off the main square. A square filled to the brim with coffee & cake cafes, bars and a few restaurants, less non cake restaurants than you would have expected no idea why? The mix of people out and about in town is 80/20 in favor of the guys. They drink a lot of coffee and seem to sit around all day and most of the night chatting – it’s Thursday!
The Kaljaja (castle) sits majestically over the city, a leg numbing walk up a ridiculously steep road gets you to the top and stunning views over the city. The walk down was just as bad, took all my strength not to start running down the hill – I wouldn’t have been able to stop!
The Stone Bridge is a big attraction in Prizren originally built in 1500 but restored after a flood in the 70’s.
Enjoyed a beer while I took in the view – I don’t drink coffee!!
Kosovo, maybe small but so far packs a punch in the beautiful scenery department.
Off to Peja in the north and the “real” mountains tomorrow!
