Day one of our hiking tour was literally a walk in the park, the Bucegi Park. A warm up and a trial run for our guide, nicknamed The Colonel, to judge our mountaineering abilities. 

Day two and three are combined here and the mountain range is named Piatra Craiului, meaning Prince’s Stone. Was quite a physical and mental gauntlet but worth every second up there. Sweat was produced. The highest peak was 2,238 meters called Vârful La Om.

Below is a pano of our guide Mr.Bogdon, a most interesting individual who will enlighten whom he travels with and most certainly test.

Though steep and sometimes scarey with narrow goat paths as our trail, we rallied on. Not even some rock climbing and memorial placques (rip) could stop us.

Resting up was such a reward especially with home cooked meals and Raki a traditional spirit to warm our battered souls.

Along with the natural beauty and great guest house came a dinner served by a local shepherd. This was the most legit cultural experience. Polenta balls filled with cheese the size of your noggin. Plus a pack of ferocious sheep puppies.

Lake Ohrid

Here we have the splendid lake shared by Macedonia and Albania. The weather played nice and was mostly sunny. Chill old town to hang around and warm water to dip in.

This lovely lady was nice enough to let me capture her. She does water colors and sketches of them with ink and a tooth pick! Get outa town right?

Below we have some images of the old and new basilica.

National Park Galichica

And now for some mountain hiking pictures. We did get a little off track a few times, but hey just an add to the venture.

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A pen. Snail for scale.

Capital Skopje

We didn’t stay very long in Skopje but found it an interesting and rather bizarre capital, lots of statues and fancy government buildings. I’m lacking photos here but encourage you to check online.

The Millennium  Cross on top of mountain Vodno.

The Matka Canyon

Matka lake is Macedonia’s oldest artificial lake.