Ohrid

At breakfast this morning, there is only us and a kind elderly waiter who fusses around us offering to fry eggs rather than us picking from the buffet.

Vladimir walks with us to the entrance of the old city, where we meet up with Alexander, our local guide, at a coffee shop.

The promenade

A lovely lakeside cafeteria

David

Vladimir

From here we continue on foot up into the Old Town.

The Lower Gate

The Old Town in located on a slope, and is full of cobbled streets, upmarket souvenir shops, and rustic restaurants.

Alexander explains how the street lamp represents the old style architecture, featuring top-heavy houses with a small footprint as that is what taxes were based on. As the family expanded, another level would be built above to accommodate them.

Saint Sofia Church

Built on the foundations of a 5th century Roman church, the building has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then. The current church dates back to the 9th century.

During the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, the church was converted to a mosque, with the frescoes on the interior walls plastered over. Thankfully they have since been partially restored.

Boat Trip on Lake Ohrid

When I mentioned to Vladimir about the boat trip yesterday, he had no knowledge of it, as it does not appear on his version of the itinerary. He asked to photograph our itinerary so that he could arrange it.

Waiting for the boat near the bottom of the Old Town

As with everything else on this trip, the boat excursion is a private charter

I am jolly glad we are not on this boat!

Vladimir, the Captain, and Alexander, our local guide on board the boat

And us

Whilst not speaking any English, the captain is jovial and fun loving, and he insists that David has a go at driving the boat.

Seeing the city from the lake gives a completely different view, and it is nice to be out on the water.

We are dropped off right by our hotel, and we spend the rest of the afternoon people-watching
from the terrace of a bar. With a beer in hand, of course.

As the waiter brings our drinks, he comments to David: “Your English is really clear, where are you from?”, which amuses David no end, as I so often accuse him of mumbling.

Ohrid is very touristy, and seeing so many large groups of up to 50 people or more, we are very grateful for a small, private group of two!

After a few drinks, and watching all those large groups of tourists, the following conversation ensues:

Me: “I wonder if they get cruise ships land here?”
David: “Are you serious?”
Me: “What?”
David: “Are you serious?”
Me: “Yes…”
David: “It’s. A. Lake.
Me, hiding my face in embarrassment: “Oh yeah….”

Dinner

We share a Riviera Pizza for dinner, with cured pork, tomato, rocket, and parmesan, with a bowl of chips to go with it. David does like his chips, and it is not something we often have at home.

Sunset over the lake from our room.

And so another day on our 2025 Balkan Adventure has come to an end. Thank you Undiscovered Destinations for all the arrangements.