Author Archives: debbie

Mel

Posted on October 1, 2026 by debbie

I would like to introduce you to Mel, the watermelon that was gifted to me at the tobacco farm. Everyone in the van welcomed Mel into the fold. He traveled along with us to Skopje in the back of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Kosovo | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bitola to Skopje

Posted on September 29, 2026 by debbie

As we are moving away from Bitola, we start to see tobacco fields. We have never seen tobacco growing so there is great interest in the van. “Stop the van!” someone calls and Murray, R and our guide pile out … Continue reading →

Posted in North Macedonia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lake Ohrid to Bitola

Posted on September 28, 2026 by debbie

Our route takes us along Lake Ohrid and then onto a very steep and winding road up and over a pass in Galicica National Park. The views to the lake and the mountain tops are stunning. We make our way … Continue reading →

Posted in North Macedonia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lake Ohrid

Posted on September 27, 2026 by debbie

Ten o’clock finds us on a boat backing away from the dock in the harbour of Ohrid. We are on our way to the Monestery of St Naum (interesting that it matches so closely to my last name!) The story … Continue reading →

Posted in North Macedonia | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Tirana to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

Posted on September 26, 2026 by debbie

It’s Saturday morning and there isn’t much traffic so we get out of Tirana easily. Soon we are on a 110kph highway travelling south east towards Elbasan. The highway ends abruptly and we wind our way through the town. Everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania, North Macedonia | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Berat to Gjirokaster to Tirana

Posted on September 24, 2026 by debbie

We have a long day yesterday and by the time we get back to the hotel it is 8:30 pm and a post will have to wait. On the drive from Berat to Gjirokaster, we stop at an ancient site. … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Berat

Posted on September 22, 2026 by debbie

Berat Castle is a fortified hilltop with an exterior wall extending about 1.4 kms. It dates back to the 4th century BC, through  the Roman Era, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire to the present day where it is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On the Road to Berat

Posted on September 21, 2026 by debbie

This morning we meet our guide/driver for the next two weeks and then pick up our friends L&R from the airport. Stage two of our trip begins. As we drive towards Berat, south of Tirana, we learn tidbits of information … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tirana, Albania

Posted on September 19, 2026 by debbie

We go for our first real walk in Tirana today. Our destinations are a pyramid and a SPAR Market (to buy items more suitable for Debbie’s breakfast). The sidewalks have rough spots, tippy flag stones and protruding sections that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania | Tagged , | Leave a comment

And we are off!……to Albania!

Posted on September 18, 2026 by debbie

Years ago, we wrote about stepping through a portal, into a metal tube and then reemerging from the portal in another country. This morning we enter the portal and then numerous tubes and find ourselves in Tirana, Albania. Why Albania? … Continue reading →

Posted in Albania | Tagged , | Leave a comment