I had a startling welcome to Macedonia. The first thing I had to do – apart from paying the motorway tolls without having any denar – was to drive right across Skopje to the British Embassy for my meeting.
traditional Ohrid architecture
They do have street signs in Skopje – a huge improvement on Belgrade – but they’re in Cyrillic! By the time I’ve read it, I’m past it…
Anyway, only one wrong turn.
After my meeting and a scrummy roadside kebab, it was off south again towards Bitola.
Sunday, 7am, Ohrid
Another shock to the system – after an hour or so, it was onto the mountain roads. My 1,600cc Renault Megane was in 2nd gear at some points.
Bitola was interesting – the Macedonian “capital” until Yugoslavia came along and decided it should be Skopje.
Alberta, telling us how it is
Ohrid was beautiful. So was the mountain pass (up to 1,500m = 4,500’) which lies between them.
Amsterdam, 31.5.11
© iain taylor 2011
Ciao.
Found your blog on VT forums. Thought I’d come and check it out. Did you make it to the VT meet this year? Ohrid looks stunning, great shot.
Hi – yes, Ohrid & Bitola were fun. So was Keti’s pre-meet in Belgrade. Always interesting to meet the faces behind the VT *personalities*. Busy with work at moment, but I’ll have a look at your blog when I get a minute.