North Macedonia

Statues in Skopje

Continued from Kosovo...

Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, left a great impression on me. The neo-classical buildings and massive statues were really impressive. (We were told that most statues and buildings in the city come from a single project called Skopje 2014 which cost billions).
The historical architecture and monumental statues told great historical stories, but the streets occasionally were full of garbage, and some parts of the city appeared neglected, as if time had forgotten them.
This is one city where I wished I could have stayed longer on this trip.

Ohrid

Ohrid, a charming touristy town in southern Macedonia, and located straight on Ohrid Lake, was beautiful.
The town's cobbled streets and ancient architecture took me back in time (like many places seen in the Balkans this summer). The lake's shores had crystal-clear waters, reflecting the surrounding hills. I took a local bus to visit the Monastery of Saint Naum (25 km south of Ohrid), a gem on the lake's edge. Its centuries-old painted walls dates back to the 9th century, and the tranquil gardens with free roaming peacocks provided a serene escape. As the sun set, the lake transformed into a canvas of colors, creating beautiful views (I took too many pictures, again!). Ohrid's was unique: a special blend of history and nature all in the same city.
Continue reading... because we went back to Albania (part #2) to visit Berat and its capital city.