What I didn’t mention in my post about Albania is that it at times was pretty hilly. Mountainous even. And my next country – Macedonia – was as well.

Entering into Macedonia ment crossing a pass around 1 000 m. Usually this would take some work, especially considering the fact that heat more and more had started to become an issue during midday. This time though, it didn’t at all.

I was simply way too convinced that what was behind the other side of the mountains would be worth pedaling for. Worrying about tired legs just wasn’t part of it.

My stay in Macedonia was very brief. I only spent a couple of days in the country, and I entered with a clear goal in mind – Lake Orhid. I had heard so many people talk about this place, and I went there knowing that I was really setting myself up for disappointment. My expectations were too high, and I knew it.

However. I was blown away.

I’m not sure if it was just me being in a crazy good mood, or if the lake actually was as gorgeus as I thought it was. But it really doesn’t matter.

With its deep blue water and high snowcapped mountains that seemed to rise straight out from the surface, Lake Orhid offered some absolutely stunning scenery. You know the kind where you can just sit down and watch it for hours, without ever getting bored.

Despite of my short stay, I really appreciated Macedonia, and I’m 100% conviced that I will go back there to see more of it. People were super friendly, and my Swedish flag has never done a better job as a conversation starter than it did there.

It seemed like three quarters of the Macedonian population had a cousin in Malmö, and they were all weirdly eager to practice their Swedish with me.


Some of my language students – paying me in cappuccinos and jokes about Swedish people

What else… Yeah – the camping was great!

So – to sum up my Macedonian experience:

Breathtakingly beautiful and waaay to short.

I can’t wait to go back.

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