The Balkans: October 2014

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Hotel Review: Radisson Blu

Pro:

Free on points
Great location
Huge Suite
Great view
Great Breakfast
Excelleny service
Excellent Restaurant

Cons:
Slow annoying wifi

Sofia II

I got disoriented in this church burial chamber and with winter clothes it was so hot and eerie

It is cold here and Sofia is not an attractive city from what I can tell. The cold, the unattractiveness, this is one of those times on the road you begin to feel real lonely and down.
My first stop was the Sveta Nedelya Cathedral.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Arrived in the evening right at the door to my hotel, The Rasisson Blu. I got this hotel free on points where you stay 2 nights get third night free. I was given a business class suite overlooking the main square.

The Drive To Skojpe to Sofia

I had planned to just take a taxi from Orhid to Skopje and then the bus to Sofia. On the way there, my driver called a friend and we worked out a fair rate to drive to Sofia.

The drive was great from both guys. The longer part,of the drive to Sofia was in a awesome Mercedes. As we drove, from Skopje to Sofia going through the mountains at the border with eit snowing and fog was awesome..
I am sorry I did not take photos of my guys

Ohrid to Skopje: 85€
Skopje to Sofia: 120€

Even Bogie and Papa approved of Ohrid

Hotel Review: Villa Lucija

Pros:

Reasonable $26 a night
Great view
Balcony
Location in town center and on water
Good wifi
Very trusting owners

Cons
No breakfast
They did not clean the room everyday

Roman Theater

This Roman theater days back to 2 BC. The Romans took out ten rows and used it fir Gladiatorial games. The second photo is how it is today and used for concerts.

Seveta Bogordica Periviepta

What was interesting in this church was that UNESCO restorers were cleaning and adding paint to the Fresco while I was able to watch them work.

Lake Ohrid: Guide

At my next site visit, Plaosnik & the Church of St. Kliment 5th Cent. Basilica, I met an excellent, good natured woman guide who gave me a wonderful overview of its history.
This was the home of the first known Learning Center in the Christian World

Mosaics tile floors with unpreverted symbol

Monday, October 27, 2014

Lake Ohrid: Samoil's Castle

I had to walk up a steep incline to get to my next stop. Samoil' Castle a 10th century whete you climb narrow stone stairways to the ramparts for great views.

Lake Ohrid: Sweti Jovan Church at Kaneo

Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo (Macedonian: Свети Јован Канео, Latinic: Sveti Jovan Kaneo) or simply Saint John at Kaneois a Macedonian Orthodox church situated on the cliff over Kaneo Beach overlooking Lake Ohrid in the city of Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia. The church is attributed to John the Theologian. The construction date of the church remains unknown but documents detailing the church property suggests that it was built before the year 1447. Archaeologists believe that the church was constructed some time before the rise of the Ottoman Empire very likely in the 13th century. Restoration work in 1964 led to the discovery of frescoes in its dome.