SKOPJE MACEDONIA
Pleasant Surprise
01.07.2018
thumb=https://photos.travellerspoint.com/935071/thumb_Epson_07012018_120428.png] In 2009 the name was Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [ FYROM ] . Today Northern Macedonia, although disputed by Greece.-------Skopje was a pleasent surprise, i had planned to stay one night, but stayed two nights. Skopje is in Macedonia, and is a lovely place, it is modern and ancient. ---- The centre piece is the white stone bridge over the river Vardar. It has 13 arches and is for pedestrians. It was built in 1450 AD, and links the old town to the modern. It is floodlit at night. In the old town are the Bazaar streets with loads of shops,closed on Sundays. At the far end of the Bazaar streets is the open air market, a bit scruffy. --------------- There is a statue of Mother Teresa in the main shopping area of town , she was born in Skopje to Albanian parents in 1910. She lived in Skopje for 18 years, before going to India.-- On the statue she has crossed toes.------There is also a Memorial building to Mother Teresa. -----The old Rail station was destroyed by Earthquake in 1963, the remains are now a museum. The station clock stopped on impact. Makedonije Square is a lovely place to wander or to sit and enjoy a drink. The stone bridge is nearby. ----I had arrived in Skopje by train at the newish rail station, a dark dismal place not for hanging around. The bus station is nextdoor. In 2009 i stayed at the Jadran Hotel Skopje, a hotel lost in time ,say the 1930 s , the wooden floors creaked as i walked on them.but the price was cheap and clean and comfortable. -- CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MACEDONIA IS IN THE BALKAN PENINSULA IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE. AN INDEPENDANT COUNTRY SINCE 1991. IT IS LANDLOCKED WITH BORDERS WITH KOSOVO,SERBIA, BULGARIA , GREECE AND ALBANIA. SKOPJE IS THE CAPITAL AND LARGEST CITY. THE CURRENCY IS THE MACEDONIAN DINAR. THE DINAR IS DIFFICULT TO BUY OUTSIDE MACEDONIA, SO TAKE PLENTY OF EUROS AND EXCHANGE IN MACEDONIA. SPEND UP YOUR DINARS BEFORE LEAVING AS THE SAME APPLIES TO EXCHANGE OUTSIDE MACEDONIA.------ps. THE TRAIN I TRAVELLED ON IN 2009 FROM THESSALONIKI GREECE DOES NOT SEEM TO RUN IN 2018,THERE IS A NIGHT TRAIN.--A BUS FROM THESSALONIKI RUNS EVERY FOUR HOURS TAKING FOUR HOURS TO GET TO SKOPJE. THE ROAD DISTANCE BY CAR IS ABOUT 200KM.
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