Travelling during the Coronavirus pandemic - Chasing open countries
Posted: July 20 2020 | Tagged: The Balkans
Backpacking during the Coronavirus pandemic has become a case of chasing open countries. The logistics involved have become more complex than securing visas in West Africa, a minefield in itself.
Most of the Balkans is non EU non Schengen, but Croatia is EU and Kosovo and Montenegro use the Euro. It's a job trying to remember who is what. So I made a #makelifeeasier list.
Getting into the EU is the biggest issue. Once you're in, freedom is almost guaranteed, but actually I don't care for getting back in. Being out of reach of their greasy clutches is fine by me.
I am safely in Kosovo just now. I like it here. When I was in Beograd, Serbia, one could take a bus from Beograd to Skopje, capital of North Macedonia. But from Prishtina to Skopje there are now no buses. The border is closed going into North Macedonia from Kosovo, though not vice versa. You just need your own wheels.
There are still buses from Pristina to Tirana, Albania ;) From Albania, the border to Greece is closed as is the border to Montenegro. Taking the ferry to Italy is an option but you need to self quarantine unless the ferries have been cancelled.
The route from Albania to North Macedonia and back into Serbia is still viable.
From Serbia to Croatia is open but you must get a 50€ Covid test or self isolate for 14 days. Hungary is closed, Romania too. Bosnia was only accepting citizens of neighbouring countries. There are lots of unknowns. As I said, it has become a minefield and thing change regularly.
Albania has been added to Ukraine's GREEN LIST, Serbia is still on it. But I want to wait until I can travel overland.
Moldova is still closed. July 15 came and went and the new proposed date is August 1.
Getting into the EU is the biggest issue. Once you're in, freedom is almost guaranteed, but actually I don't care for getting back in. Being out of reach of their greasy clutches is fine by me.
I am safely in Kosovo just now. I like it here. When I was in Beograd, Serbia, one could take a bus from Beograd to Skopje, capital of North Macedonia. But from Prishtina to Skopje there are now no buses. The border is closed going into North Macedonia from Kosovo, though not vice versa. You just need your own wheels.
There are still buses from Pristina to Tirana, Albania ;) From Albania, the border to Greece is closed as is the border to Montenegro. Taking the ferry to Italy is an option but you need to self quarantine unless the ferries have been cancelled.
The route from Albania to North Macedonia and back into Serbia is still viable.
From Serbia to Croatia is open but you must get a 50€ Covid test or self isolate for 14 days. Hungary is closed, Romania too. Bosnia was only accepting citizens of neighbouring countries. There are lots of unknowns. As I said, it has become a minefield and thing change regularly.
Albania has been added to Ukraine's GREEN LIST, Serbia is still on it. But I want to wait until I can travel overland.
Moldova is still closed. July 15 came and went and the new proposed date is August 1.
The #NewNormal for me is now patience and staying much longer in a place than I would ever have considered doing before. The new modus operandi.
17 days in Beograd, imagine. In 2011 I spent 3 days there and it was enough. 17 days is just insane. 17 days in places like Cameron Highlands or Mae Salong yes but 17 days in a European capital, never!
But I have adapted. I am learning to enjoy this slower pace. I like producing blog posts like Backpacking in Beograd or Backpacking in Pristina. I enjoy taking photos of the things that others come to places for. I enjoy cataloguing them. And mostly I enjoy this process more than the 'sights' per se. It's more fun making the journey from one place to the next or sitting in a street cafe watching life go by.
But these posts are great for ranking on Google and peoples reactions have been good, so long may it continue.
17 days in Beograd, imagine. In 2011 I spent 3 days there and it was enough. 17 days is just insane. 17 days in places like Cameron Highlands or Mae Salong yes but 17 days in a European capital, never!
But I have adapted. I am learning to enjoy this slower pace. I like producing blog posts like Backpacking in Beograd or Backpacking in Pristina. I enjoy taking photos of the things that others come to places for. I enjoy cataloguing them. And mostly I enjoy this process more than the 'sights' per se. It's more fun making the journey from one place to the next or sitting in a street cafe watching life go by.
But these posts are great for ranking on Google and peoples reactions have been good, so long may it continue.
I was expecting some 'backlash' for still travelling during the Coronavirus pandemic. I had a long discussion with a friend about this as to why it has been so far a positive experience.
Firstly, I am still on the road as I have become 'of no fixed abode' after Boris decided that my father is under a 'must live alone' order. My dad's was always my safe haven. I now have no place to run to. So being on the road is what I have to deal with now.
We are living the #NewNormal. And I am a firm believer that we can still travel but we must be responsible about it. Country hopping by plane for me is considered reckless. Some have already started doing this.
Some travel rep I read about seems to be flying just to write posts on 'how it is to fly during the Coronavirus pandemic'. On a plane you are in a confined space with many others for a prolonged period of time. All that recirculated air, no thank you.
Yes I flew out of Kenya but it was a case of having to. I wanted to ride it out but the situation there has proved me right. It's spiralling out of control. Cases are soaring. I needed to get out.
And here, I am openly promoting the wearing of a mask which is regarded as something that must be done.
I am observing local rules. I wear a mask, in the street, on the bus. I abide by the country's curfew. Me walking the streets alone, taking photos of 'things' alone, isn't any different from the locals who are out and about. They sit in cafes, they go shopping with friends and observe the social distancing laws with respect to non friends. I am observing social distancing with everyone. I have my mask and 2 spare ones in my bag and a bottle of 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Even though this is not my own country, anyone who invades my space in the supermarket checkout queue gets glared at. As do those on the bus who let the masks hang round their chin. And I have not had issues with that as they know it's what needs to be done. On the street the police are patrolling and actively stopping violators. UK, you could learn a thing or two.
If there is a sudden spike in cases here in Kosovo, so drastic that the authorities shut down Prishtina, I will stay. I got stuck in Kenya for 3 ½ months. Being stuck again though not exactly fun, ain't no hardship.
So #maskthefuckup cos you know it's the right thing to do, remembering that you wear the mask to protect others in the event that you are asymptomatic and then you won't have to #StayAtHome. No. On second thoughts, stay at home. Am loving the feeling of travelling in the off season.
Firstly, I am still on the road as I have become 'of no fixed abode' after Boris decided that my father is under a 'must live alone' order. My dad's was always my safe haven. I now have no place to run to. So being on the road is what I have to deal with now.
We are living the #NewNormal. And I am a firm believer that we can still travel but we must be responsible about it. Country hopping by plane for me is considered reckless. Some have already started doing this.
Some travel rep I read about seems to be flying just to write posts on 'how it is to fly during the Coronavirus pandemic'. On a plane you are in a confined space with many others for a prolonged period of time. All that recirculated air, no thank you.
Yes I flew out of Kenya but it was a case of having to. I wanted to ride it out but the situation there has proved me right. It's spiralling out of control. Cases are soaring. I needed to get out.
And here, I am openly promoting the wearing of a mask which is regarded as something that must be done.
I am observing local rules. I wear a mask, in the street, on the bus. I abide by the country's curfew. Me walking the streets alone, taking photos of 'things' alone, isn't any different from the locals who are out and about. They sit in cafes, they go shopping with friends and observe the social distancing laws with respect to non friends. I am observing social distancing with everyone. I have my mask and 2 spare ones in my bag and a bottle of 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Even though this is not my own country, anyone who invades my space in the supermarket checkout queue gets glared at. As do those on the bus who let the masks hang round their chin. And I have not had issues with that as they know it's what needs to be done. On the street the police are patrolling and actively stopping violators. UK, you could learn a thing or two.
If there is a sudden spike in cases here in Kosovo, so drastic that the authorities shut down Prishtina, I will stay. I got stuck in Kenya for 3 ½ months. Being stuck again though not exactly fun, ain't no hardship.
So #maskthefuckup cos you know it's the right thing to do, remembering that you wear the mask to protect others in the event that you are asymptomatic and then you won't have to #StayAtHome. No. On second thoughts, stay at home. Am loving the feeling of travelling in the off season.
Previous Post: Backpacking in Belgrade | Serbia
