Day trip to North Macedonia. Country number 53

There is a monastery complex located just across the border between Albania and North Macedonia that Helen and Tony wanted to see, so we drove the short distance to the border, and walked across. 

We could have driven the rental car across, but we would have had to pay €40 extra for insurance coverage so we didn't feel it was worth it.

We walked up to the border crossing station, and the guy at the Albania exit point had to write all of our passport details in a log book. I think maybe his computer was down! Then we walked about a half km in no man's land before we got to the North Macedonia entry point. No questions asked. They stamped our passports, and we were in.

No photos allowed at the stations themselves, but we took a few before and after...

HAVE NICE TRIP... lol.

I think North Macedonia could use a new welcome sign!

We are at the start of Galicica National Park.

We've never been to North Macedonia, and this day trip certainly didn't do it justice, but it is still a new country for us, so we have added number 53 to our country list. We will definitely have to return to explore by motorhome in the future. 

It was a beautiful sunny day, but very windy. High of only about 18C (65F).

A small chapel near the monastery.

Other than the wind, it was a really nice day!

Not a cloud in the sky.

Albania is on the other side of the lake.

Helen and Ruth.

Looking back at Pogradec on the other side.

Part of the Monastery of Saint Nahum of Ohrid.

There is a hotel complex at the monastery as well.

It's actually a kind of an odd place. There is a 10th century monastery church building, and a 17th century monastery residence building. Then, they've turned another older building into a hotel on the same property. It doesn't really seem to fit in. And then there is a natural spring water system surrounded by tourist restaurants tourist boats and souvenir hawkers.

The lake water was rough.

This guy was really bouncing around out there!

The Monastery of Saint Nahum of Ohrid.

Parts of this church date back to the year 900.

It costs about the equivalent of €2.50 each to go in, and Ruth and I have seen similar church buildings before, but Tony and Helen went in and he gave me some of his photos to show you...

View from the monastery complex.

Back of the church.

There are peacocks on the property and Ruth found this tiny feather.

Ruth, Helen, Tony.

We then went for a circular walk of about two and a half kms that led to two other small chapels...

Scenery along the way.

This one was locked, but there was a caretaker who opened it up for us. He spoke some basic English and told us that it had been completely renovated 18 years ago. No photos allowed inside, but all of the old paintings had been redone, and to be honest it looked a little cartoonish!

Healthy looking grapes ready for wine making!

This chapel was fairly new.

This chapel was located at the source of one of the natural springs coming up through the ground and the entire chapel was dedicated to spring water. It even had part of the spring running through the floor of the chapel...

Ruth looking down at the spring water.

Looking up at the ceiling.

Kevin, looking at the clear spring water.

We walked back to the border station and crossed back into Albania. 

I had checked out a restaurant on the Albania side where we could have a late lunch. It had all five star reviews, but the prices were a little high by Albania standards. Oh well, we're on holiday!

Entrance to the restaurant.

The menu... in Albanian and English.

Helen had the chicken kebabs and grilled vegetables. 

The other three of us had the grilled beef.

Lunch is served!

They gave us a small dessert and a few apples without us asking for it. With a liter of wine and the tip, the bill was 5,000 lek ($57 CAD, $42 USD) for the four of us.

Peppers roasting on the fire.

It was a good day! We were stuffed, and only needed a snack later on the evening.

Today, we are hopping in the car to do some exploring in the area. We are headed over to where the three borders of Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece meet.

Pink sky at dusk as seen from our balcony.

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