Entered Albania the Long Way Round

Day 16: Nea Moudania (GR) - Tushemisht (AL)

We got up early, feeling rested, and set off already at 08:00. A long drive lies ahead of us, because today’s destination is Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. We drive past Thessaloniki and soon head towards Florina and the customs post at the North Macedonian border.

At the customs point in Nikn, a friendly customs officer tells us that this crossing is closed for exiting Greece into North Macedonia. That means we have to turn around at the barrier and choose a different border crossing. We decide on a new route and after about 45 minutes discover that the road from Akpitas — a remote and deserted mountain village — is completely closed. So we turn around again and look for yet another customs crossing, adding another hour of detour. We find it at Kristallopigi, though this turns out to be the border between Greece and Albania. We phone the customs office in advance to check whether the border is open for entry into Albania. A customs officer’s voice confirms it is, and our hopes rise.

We make peace with the fact that we won’t be going directly to North Macedonia but will have to reach Lake Ohrid via Albania instead. After a few questions from the customs officers — both on exit from Greece and on entry into Albania — they let us through. In Albania we notice that a good 99% of Albanians drive a Mercedes.

We arrive at Lake Ohrid on the Albanian side in the rain, and the border with North Macedonia is really not far at all. A beautiful campsite called “Arbi” in Tushemisht is quickly found. We are the only camping guests and get to pick the finest spot, close to the lake.

Brief summary:

Day sixteen sends us on a detour into Albania, unplanned, and we have to drive around the country of North Macedonia. The lovely campsite “Arbi” more than makes up for it.

Your Judo goes Orient – Team

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