We were staying only a few hundred meters from the old town of Skopje so we could leave the car behind and use foot power. Walking out our hotel we crossed the road and saw the beautiful, but different St. Kliment of Ohrid Cathedral. It's unique shape was really striking. We continued towards Mother Teresa House. Mother Teresa was born and lived in Skopje until she was 18. The original house is no longer present, but there is a tranquil chapel and a very new looking gold topped church being built. The chapel was again an unusual design with libel blue-green colouring. She is clearly honoured here as everywhere you go there are large plaques with quotes from her. As we headed towards the square we noticed a few of the buildings were splashed in paint. At first it was the Justice Building and as we got to the Porta Macedonia, the triumphal arch located on Pella Square, it too was covered in paint. It looked like someone had taken a paint ball gun and pelted it. (At dinner we got talking to an American military man working with NATO to build schools in Kosovo and I asked him about it. He said that a month ago there had been a protest about corruption and a lot of the monuments were targeted). Near this arch there as a little park which was home to many significant statues and monuments. It was very impressive and fortunately this section had not been damaged. Continuing our walking tour we entered the main square. It was huge...as most are and was surrounded by large, white stone buildings...though one corner was dominated by the Marriott Hotel. What stood out here was the massive statue/fountain called the Warrior on a Horse, which is the main symbol in Skopje and is thought to be of Alexander the Great. Not only was the fountain huge, but it put on a pretty impressive water show and when we went back at night it was lit up. At the end of the square was the Stone which was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. Since then it has been the symbol of the city and every ruler tried to leave a mark on it, even Skopje's last major who has been restoring it for 10 years. Maybe a bit of an ego thing??? The bridge has 13 arches over a pretty ordinary river??? More stones than water. On one side of the river are restaurants...we ate there a few times and on the other are very large, ornate buildings with bridges that are lined with very ornate and a little over the top statues. Crossing the bridge we headed for Kale Fortress on the hill. Very hot by now. We walked through the Old Bazaar area which was full of Turkish stores...lots lot really lovely leather shops here. Also passed by the Mustapha Pasha Mosque. Had a quick peak in and crossed the road to the fortress. It was disappointing...the best views were down from the road. Nothing really up top. Stinking hot so headed back to square for a late lunch and a beer. Had been walking around for quite a few hours by now so headed back to hotel. Air con still not working so we were moved to another room. Thing to note, same with Bulgaria, there are a lot of casino (pokies) everywhere. There were about 5 within 50 metres of our hotel. Don't know how busy they get, but casinos are everywhere. Indulged in a very nice Asian dinner at a lovely spot around the corner.
Skopje day 2 saw us get the car out...up a car lift to the exit and head out to Matka Canyon. It looked beautiful. Easy drive there, but very narrow streets and fortunately got a car space. There is a walk carved out around the cliffs along the river. It is very beautiful. As we arrived at the entrance you can get a boat to the bat cave. An hour there and back on the river. One was departing with a family so we joined them. What a gorgeous boat ride through the gorge. Steep cliffs, beautiful fresh water. It was very relaxing. The tour of the cave was really good. The limestone was coloured in vibrant green and orange which our guide explained was because of the minerals. The cave lake was glorious...shame it was not good in the photos. Left the bat cave and on the boat trip back One of the girls from the other family asked where we were from. As it goes, she was a Bulgarian that lived in Sydney and she was over in Skopje visiting family. Back on. Land and after a latte we walked along the cliff for a few hundred meters. Found a clean spot for lunch and indulged in feta wrapped in filo that I had bought from the bakery in the morning. It was very hard to find a clean spot...people just throw rubbish anywhere. Bins were full. Bushes were full of plastic bottles etc. actually it was pretty disgraceful. (A few days later we saw a man get out of his truck and toss a big plastic bag of rubbish on the side of the road). At times there are mounds of stuff... Day to day litter not big stuff.
Dinner in Skopje...back at Eco Cafe. Greek salad and sausage. Did have a concern my kebapi were underdone, but chef assured me they were OK. (It's been a few days and I am not sick so I suppose they were OK).
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