Bus from Pristina to Skopje took just about 2hr, ahead of schedule from what I was originally told (2.5hr). Perhaps there was less traffic at immigration, so it shortened the duration.
Border checkpoints was really easy, at least this time there was a Kosovo checkpoint, with an officer coming on board the bus to collect our documents.
The Macedonia side had to call someone in the office to confirm if Singapore needed a visa to go through, and I shortly got the all clear. It was freezing cold waiting out in the open for everyone to finish their immigration clearance though. We almost left a father and child behind at the immigration checkpoint as they had gone to the washroom. I didn't know how to speak the language but quickly told a few youngsters seated behind me and they helped informed the driver, thankfully!
3 days in Skopje went by very quickly. Especially made more enjoyable with my stay at Get Inn Hostel, which had a very social and friendly vibe. It feels like everyone was staying in a cosy apartment and had known each other for a very long time.
There were also sharing of wine and one of the volunteers Lia made a Georgian bread on one of the nights and then pizza on another, and everyone gathers around the living room area to chat each evening.
Although there was no snow in the city centre, the 1st 2 days in Skopje was really cold, as the temperature fell to -5 degrees even during the day. For the 1st time on the trip, I had to wear 4 layers of clothes.
I even had to take refuge in Marriott on the 1st day to warm myself up before heading out again.
When Brandon said there were a lot of statues in the city, I didn't expect this much! All the opulence! Numerous statues in the bridge and even at the top of those buildings. It's crazy!
The key sights
The Bridge of Art
Passageway between The Bridge of Art and The Bridge of Civilisation
The Bridge of Civilisation
Stone Bridge
Macedonia Gate
Macedonia Square with Alexander the Great statue
Mother Teresa Memorial House
Church of St Clement Ohrid
Old Bazaar
Fortress
Government of the Republic of Macedonia
A lot of Venetian inspired design in their buildings too. Some other statues across the city...
We also did a wine tour at Kamnik Wines. It was a huge property outside the city centre, which had a restaurant, a shooting range and even peacocks on the property.
It was really great fun especially with company - Keira (American on a 1 year sabbatical and is a nurse) and Frank (German guy, who is cycling across Balkans) whom I met at the hostel.
We went for the premium wines which had 3 whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Temjanika, chardonnay, 1 rose and 3 reds (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and their award winning Vranec). We spent more time than what most wine tasting would be at Kamnik, and also instead of tasting, we were mostly drinking the wines 😂.
We were hoping to have it paired with canopies but we didn't realised we had to prebook it. It was a good thing they served bread and cheese with the wines.
They also had a restaurant on the compound which we sat in while we waited for our taxi to pick us up and got a complimentary liquour while waiting - can't say no to more liquor!
Food wise, on arrival Keira brought me to a place at the Green Market to get some local food - beef soup and kebabs. The cost... MKD 230, less than Euro 4.
But the rest of the days I got really tired of eating Balkan food that I ended up finding a place with Poke bowl. The salmon poke bowl was just MND 220, under Euro 4, and MND 180 for the salad.
And then to Dion Restaurant for a Grilled chicken with fries and salad.
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