Matka Canyon

Wow, Matka is a special, special place. In the searing heat on our hike from Vodno, we didn't come across a single other person for several hours until we descended steeply from the ridge and emerged into a sleepy little monastery. We enjoyed some well earned refreshingly cold drinks while Macedonian music played over a chorus of Cicadas, overlooking this incredible gorge. It was unforgettable, and felt like a place entirely untouched by typical tourists. We then descended further and crossed a dam, somewhat illegally, before enjoying a boat ride down the canyon in the golden light. After a subsequent further explore, we then took a bus back into Skopje and discovered the Old Bazaar, where we sat and enjoyed some delightful £2 pizzas.

Macedonia's certainly got some quirks: a literal kid driving a taxi offered us a lift back into town; the bus driver stopped mid-journey on the way back to go into the shop and buy peaches all while the engine was still running; and we saw little kids smoking shisha pipes this evening. It may be a little rough around the edges but we are quite sad to be leaving Macedonia so soon; it feels like we have been here for much longer than essentially a day, and I have no doubt that one day we will return.Read more