Crossing the Albania North Macedonia border at Tushemisht/Saint Naum
From Pogradec to the Albanian border at Tushemisht is about 7km. And from Sveti Naum on the North Macedonia side to Ohrid is about 40km. I crossed on foot.
I made myself a 3in1 at the Guest House Pogradeci where I stayed 2 nights. Packed my gear up, left the key in the door and let myself out. No one around to say adieu to.
A beautiful day. A bit fresh. Pogradec is 690m asl and it's now October 1. 2 weeks ago it was 35deg C. This morning I could see my breath.
I love border crossings where I can walk! 7km. An easy stroll on an empty stomach. And travelling light is an essential 'thing' on roads like these with little to no traffic. Such flexibility.
A beautiful day. A bit fresh. Pogradec is 690m asl and it's now October 1. 2 weeks ago it was 35deg C. This morning I could see my breath.
I love border crossings where I can walk! 7km. An easy stroll on an empty stomach. And travelling light is an essential 'thing' on roads like these with little to no traffic. Such flexibility.
On the road to the border, an endless stream of bunkers courtesy of paranoid dictator, Enver Hoxha:
1 hour 20 to the border. Arrival time 10:00.
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Good bye Albania. It was a blast!
Welcome to North Macedonia. Country 97.
The road less travelled. Walking and hitching saved me about 3$. Lol.
I hadn't researched the Macedonia side but I met an English tourist who had taken the bus to the Saint Naum Monastery but informed me that while there was a bus, the schedule was a bit sparse and he didn't know when the return bus was.
I started walking for want of something better to do.
A lady in a Lada stopped after 90 minutes of black top since the border. She explained that people weren't picking up hitchhikers this year. She gave me the low down on mask wearing: Always in shops but not on the streets, but many do as I later saw. Police stop cars if they are carrying passengers and not masking up.
I hiked across town to Ivanovi Apartments where I had booked a room. A single room, no breakfast included was 950 Albania. A dorm at one of the hostels still open, also no breakfast, 1248 Albanian. Go figure which one I chose! 7.65€ 470MD a night. Freaking awesome. Have a kettle, a small camping stove for Turkish coffees, some cups and use of a fridge with my own private shelf. I'm in Room 2. The fridge shelf is clearly marked which one is mine, as is the shelf in the shoe cupboard!
I started walking for want of something better to do.
A lady in a Lada stopped after 90 minutes of black top since the border. She explained that people weren't picking up hitchhikers this year. She gave me the low down on mask wearing: Always in shops but not on the streets, but many do as I later saw. Police stop cars if they are carrying passengers and not masking up.
I hiked across town to Ivanovi Apartments where I had booked a room. A single room, no breakfast included was 950 Albania. A dorm at one of the hostels still open, also no breakfast, 1248 Albanian. Go figure which one I chose! 7.65€ 470MD a night. Freaking awesome. Have a kettle, a small camping stove for Turkish coffees, some cups and use of a fridge with my own private shelf. I'm in Room 2. The fridge shelf is clearly marked which one is mine, as is the shelf in the shoe cupboard!
