Macedonia. Ohrid -Tetovo

Coming back from Vevcani to Ohrid we once more visited Ancient 1100-years-old tree and the lake




Next morning we left Ohrid. By eleven a.m. we arrived Skopje, left our backpacks at the bus station and took the bus to Tetovo. On arrival we got off from the bus together with beautiful girl Bojana and she explained us way to our destination in Tetovo.




Tetovo's population is just a little bit exceeds 50000 (2002), but there are two univercities and streets crowded with young people.
Half hour walking - and we reached what we were looking for - Baba Arabati tekke. Tekke - it is monastery of Islamic sect Bektashi. It was founded in the 13th century by the Islamic saint Hajji Bektash Wali. Bektashi teacing is based on tolerance and respect to other beliefs. In tekke we found just one dervish, but he answered our questions and invited us to share lunch with him. We also met Peter - young american studing Balkan folklor music.






In the evening we returned to Skopje and in the morning of the next day were on our way to Kosovo.

Macedonia. Struga - Vevcani.

Struga is located on the north-western shore of Ohrid Lake at the place where river Black Drin starts.




Luda had a swim in the cold water of the lake.
From Struga we went bu local bus to Vevcani (Vevchani) village.
Lonely Planet guide:
"Vevcani is a Christian village surrounded by Muslim villages 14 km northwest of Struga. In the early 1990s, its residents declared independence with its own flag, passports and currency. The push for independence began in 1987, when the goverment planned to tap Vevcani's springs and pipe water to Struga.The villagers built barricades, and after several weeks of violent protests the goverment backed off..."





The valley with springs is the most beautiful place around Vevcani.

Macedonia. Ohrid

Main attraction of Ohrid - it is lake. It is 5 million years old, the oldest in Balkans and one of the oldest of the world. It is about 300 meters deep.
We found boat named Victory (to be frank - her owner-captain found us) and had a look at Ohrid from the lake side.




More pictures of Ohrid and around: