Now we have continued our journey from North Macedonia to Albania. After the visit to Kicevo we went back to the campsite in Struga, North Macedonia. You may remember that we were waiting there for the green card that the insurance company sent us?
As soon as we turned in, the campsite owner approached us: "Your letter is here!". Great! It meant we didn't have to do what a Polish camping neighbour told us she had done when she was missing the green card. She cried get through border control ... which worked!
Table of contents
New friends at the campsite
We felt ready to embark on new adventures and yesterday morning we packed up the car and went over to the campsite restaurant to pay, and set off from Macedonia to Albania. There we met a young German couple who had just come in with a backpack each, and they were so nice that we stayed ...
Michael and Jana left Germany two months ago. All they have with them is a backpack and a small tent. They don't have a car, but get around by bus, train and hitchhiking (which they say is easy - they've never had to wait more than 25 minutes for a lift).
Many countries to hitchhike in
So far they have travelled through Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. They plan to continue through Greece, Turkey (where they hope the winter is warmer), Georgia and Kazakhstan, and then they will see.
How long will they be gone? Maybe one or two years, depending on how long the money lasts. To boost the budget, they plan to take a few different jobs here and there, such as working at a home for dogs in Greece. So, if anyone thinks we're adventurous or that we're living small - not so bad by comparison!
Travelling companion from North Macedonia to Albania
We chatted with Michael and Jana in the campsite restaurant all day and all evening yesterday. Today they accompanied us in the FREEDOM motorhome all the way from Struga in North Macedonia to Shkoder in Northern Albania.
There was a lot of talk in the car and a nice lunch (which they offered as a thank you!) in a restaurant on the way. They got off in the centre of Shkoder to continue tomorrow by train to the south. We have made our way to Lake Shkodra Resort, where we stand nicely by Lake Shkoder.
Read more about North Macedonia
We have been travelling by motorhome in Albania and North Macedonia for several weeks. In North Macedonia, we have visited Struga, and Ohrid empty Lake Ohrid and the city Kicevo. In Albania we have travelled from the south, along the coast, until we entered Macedonia at Lake Ohrid.
Steel city anna says:
05 September 2015 - 22:49
BP says:
WOW! What a boost the German couple got then! I think it's great that you "give back". So what I mean is that you have experienced such incredible hospitality in Macedonia so now you "repay" it in the form of letting the German couple "hitchhike" with you. Nicely done!
Then I think of one more thing: I haven't seen a hitchhiker on Swedish roads for years and years...
Hoping for more adventures in Albania.
PS. Would never even think about camping through Europe. I/we did that with tents and air mattresses only once on an island in the archipelago. That experience lasted a lifetime, so to speak,-) DS.
05 September 2015 - 23:03
Maggan and Ingemar says:
I hope you have better weather than us because it's raining here and in Skåne it's been hailing.
Goodbye!
05 September 2015 - 23:32
Marina says:
As I've said before, travelling means meeting many wonderful people.
06 September 2015 - 4:37
admin says:
BP, I agree that you almost never see hitchhikers in Sweden anymore. Do we have it so good that no one needs to hitchhike? In Stockholm, at least, the municipal transport network (buses and metro etc.) is so good that you should hardly need to hitchhike. We saw lots of hitchhikers in France in particular, and here in Albania we have seen many. They stand along the roads with signs about where they want to go. When it comes to camping, we camp in a very comfortable way. I could imagine a tent for a week or so, but not for a year. It's impressive that people have the stamina!
Maggan and Ingemar, haha, great to hear about the fashion designer in the minibus. Surely you meet nice people when travelling! I have seen pictures of the hail storm, does not look fun! We have warmer weather again (closer to the coast and down from the mountains). Admittedly a few drops of rain, but it is mostly nice...
Marina, can only agree!!!
06 September 2015 - 7:29
Mr Steve says:
Exciting places you visit, exciting people you meet. Yes, exciting adventures have become your everyday life.
I'm glad you don't have to try to cry your way through border controls. Enjoy!
06 September 2015 - 8:03
shefik veliu says:
Hi my friends I try to keep up with you in the journey it's exciting hugs my friends
06 September 2015 - 9:32
snort says:
How nice that it worked out! Not all border control officers are as co-operative...
06 September 2015 - 9:45
Lena in Wales says:
Great meetings with nice people!
Nice to follow you!
06 September 2015 - 10:00
Ama de casa says:
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).
06 September 2015 - 10:38
admin says:
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Znogge, no that's just it....
06 September 2015 - 11:00
Ditte says:
What meetings you had/have during the trip! This is a big part of the trip itself and gives so much.
Can smile at the Germans and feel that they are doing what they want, freedom. That the comfort is not optimal is another matter. If you are young and alert, most things are possible. I have camped through the USA for three months in the late 70's, alternating with hotels, motorhomes and regular cars.
I'm glad for those memories, but today it's more about comfort. Age takes its toll...
It's good that your green card arrived because it makes things easier.
Wishing you a pleasant journey. And I'm coming with you.
06 September 2015 - 12:10
Elisabeth says:
How nice that the green card came. In my youth I hitchhiked a lot. I often had a tin of ground white pepper in my pocket - as if that would have helped, but nothing happened, other than exciting experiences. Now we have arrived in Croatia. Writing in eggs sensre. Now we will explore the place. Hugs from us
06 September 2015 - 13:39
pocket hexane says:
Glad that you appreciate my little Fototriss with our pets plus the neighbour's puppy that we borrow from time to time when we need some puppy joy and cuddles.
Continue to have a wonderful time on your journey and enjoy all the meetings you get because it gives so much to meet other people and take part in their lives.
Hugs!
06 September 2015 - 13:50
admin says:
Ditte, meeting other people is a big part of travelling! I'm also not prepared to travel as adventurously and uncomfortably as the Germans, at least not for a whole year. But they certainly get many experiences! And it's not surprising that you want to be a little more comfortable as you get older.
06 September 2015 - 14:33
Helena says:
06 September 2015 - 15:21
admin says:
07 September 2015 - 7:44
steel city anna says:
07 September 2015 - 9:42