Montenegro-Albania-Macedonia

We where supposed to leave Kolasin early in the morning and drive through Albania to reach Macedonia in one day. Milan doesn't like the idea of spending more time than absolutely neccessary in Albania. However, Richard and Lina had to many electronical gadgets in use and managed to drain 3 Optima batteries in 2 days, so we had to recharge the batteries using our Honda generator since we by mistake left our jump start leads in Gothenburg !!! That took 2 hours and we decided to drive back to the coast and camp at a beach called Buljarica, since we couldn't reach Macedonia the same day. On the second attempt we reached the Albanian border early enough to possibly cover the distance in time.

Town in Albania./Pentax

Albania, the poorest country in Europe is extremly dirty. Piles of garbage can be found just everywhere and the looks we atracted were as if we landed from another planet, on the other hand that is exactly as we felt ourselves. Parts of the roads where extremely bad and they drive far to fast for our liking. Bunkers could be seen everywhere in the landscape between the patches of chaotic villages and cities. It seems that there are no plans on how to build residential areas. For example in the middle of nowhere, surrounded with nothing but garbage a beautiful house is placed. Houses could be turned to face any random direction.

Children playing on bunkers./Pentax

We managed to get through this country within a day and with only a couple of toilet visits. Milan was really releaved when entering Macedonia, which however faces the same threat concerning clashes between Macedonian (serbs) and Albanians as Montenegro.

We spent three nights in Macedonia in a hotel in the UNESCO city Ohrid. The first day we spent walking around the town, in the market and along the waterside. Richard had a haircut/face and back massage and two hair washes all for about 3 Euros. In the evening we were recommended a well known fish restaurant so we thought we give it a go. It was very nice but possibly the most expensive place to eat we could have found.

Monastery. /Pentax

The second morning we decided that we should stay another day to have a chance to see a monastery 30km away. Overlooking the lake and snow capped mountains in the backdrop, at the monastery the children enjoyed teasing the peacocks. No Monks discovered, we left in search of lunch.

Pia and Luka admiring the view. /Pentax

Tuvalie jumping. /Pentax

Milan asked a seller who told us about a place in his village not far and on the way back to town. When we arrived we were welcomed by locals interested in our "expedition". One such person worked as a local tourist operator and said we should go down to the water where there was a restaurant. In the corner Milan spotted a local brewing his own spirit and the next thing we were invited to try some along with some golden pickled peppers.

Pickled peppers and Macedonian brandy. /Pentax

Stone throwing contest./Pentax

Arriving at the restaurant we were told that the only table left was reserved. The kids went to the beach 10m away and started to throw pebbles into the water. Along came the owner to inform us that the table left was in fact reserved for US and that he was to take good care of us.... it turned out that the tourist man we met had called to book for us! The charcoal grilled fish and greek salad was fantastic.