After the very disappointing impressions of the modernized inner-city area of Skopje with its numerous, sometimes kitschy sculptures, we were excited to see the part of the city centre that is a real remnant of Ottoman times, the Old Bazaar of Skopje.

Of course, we were excited in looking forward to our first impressions what would convey our first trip to Skopje.

Of course, our first visit to Skopje, the state capital of Macedonia should also serve a little exploring on Roman monuments which were preserved by the yet so varied history.

After our mostly disappointing days at Skopje, we were already on the way back to Lake Ohrid Camping Rino when we were discussing to visit Matka Canyon to report about this famous ravine, as we were able to see the sign board in a bend.

When in 518 an earthquake destroyed the entire city of Skopje, it was a primary concern of ruling Emperor Justinian I to rebuild the city. Not even a hundred years had passed when, in the winter of 594/95, the Slavic tribes of the Balkans, the tribes of the Slavs, destroyed the city again.

We had to postpone the planned day trip from Ohrid to Bitola several times, now finally it happened. With nearly 75,000 inhabitants Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia today.

Our return journey from the CMT fair in Stuttgart was overshadowed by a very special event, as Greek farmers protested against the austerity policy of the government of Alexis Tsipras.

To further explore possible outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking and paragliding) in the Lake Ohrid area on the Macedonian side, we were on our way to Magaro, the highest peak in the Galicica National Park.

Coming from Ohrid, we followed the shore road along Lake Ohrid, making a short stop here and there, which also took us to the "Museum on the Water", a prehistorically reconstructed pile-dwelling settlement.

What we really love within Camping, is meeting with people from different countries and learn about their ideas of traveling and outdoor. For sure, sometimes you have to be careful, not to disturb people, but mostly they like exchange too very much.

When we arrived at the campsite in Struga, we admired the mighty walls of the fortress high above the old town centre of Ohrid. Now we were on our way to take a closer look at the fortress complex of Byzantine origin.

We had just received an email from Hans-Jürgen, who informed us that he would be taking a motorcycle tour to Turkey again this year. Just a few days later, a second email from him, this time with a photo, arrived in his inbox, announcing his arrival at Lake Ohrid in Macedonia.

Early in the morning of the following day we had arranged to meet with Perparims father for a trip to the nearby town of Ohrid on the same named lake. We took the advantage of a narrow, winding road along the lakeshore, which led us directly into the city center.

Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in the world, often referred to be the second oldest lake on the planet. Several times we have already reported about the lake whose water still has the quality of drinkable water and its environment in the Galicica National Park.

It is quite chilly in the morning and the sky is overcastted with clouds. We want to begin our way to Ohrid, because our friends Julia and Davide, on our advice, only have a few days time for the Campsite Rino next to the lake before following their own schedule and time table to Albania.

The fish-rich Lake Ohrid and the strategic location attracted the first settlers in the region of Ohrid more than 5000 years ago. The oldest skeletal remains in the city of Ohrid dating from the 4th millennium BC.

Within the framework of our project "A journey of Intimacy and Culture along the Roman Roads", we want to explore possible Outdoor activities in different places to support local development structures by reporting online and to develop sustainable tourism in order to support the local community.

And there it was that time again - a new guest or a new vehicle on the campsite that immediately attracted everyone's attention. Of course, ours too, which we are very happy to admit.

Our main goal for the trip to the village of Vevčani was actually to visit the springs and waterfalls at the foot of the Jablanica Mountains. However, it quickly became apparent that the village itself also had some interesting details; in addition to the ancient houses in the village centre, which have really interesting chimney constructions and, from a structural point of view, also combine a wide variety of construction features.

After visiting the springs and waterfalls, we hadn't gone very far towards the village centre of Vevčani when we first noticed a kiosk on the village street that was cooling its cases of beer in the spring water for sale.