Coming from Skopje, we entered Kosovo and drove over the Prevela pass until we reached Prizren. It was the day before the Day of Independence of Kosovo and everywhere flags were put up and people were enjoying the good weather in the mountains and in the town of Prizren.
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| No comment :-( |
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| Reaching the border to Kosovo |
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| No, we are not country hunting ;-) |
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| The first surprise was this new highway |
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| Getting closer to the mountains |
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| Big hotel - not sure if still in use |
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| Soon we reached the snow |
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| No wonder at 1.500 metres |
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| There was a skiing area but many just enjoyed the snow with their kids |
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| Very busy at the pass with stalls, cars and pedestrians everywhere |
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| Šar Planina with 2.700 metre high peaks |
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| Looks big enough |
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| Prizren |
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| You are expected to enter the church without your gun (and girl friend) |
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| Sinan Pasha Mosque |
The Sinan Pasha Mosque is an important cultural monument from the Ottoman era at Prizren and the largest Islamic church in the country. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century and had been restored a couple of years ago.
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| This boy knew how to sing and play the drum, attracting a lot of people |
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| What happened to the old Fiaker from Vienna? Here they are! |
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| Prizren was full of people enjoying the beautiful weather |
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| The blue flag is of Kosovo, but mostly we saw the red flag of Albania. |
88% of the people in Kosovo are Albanians, thats why the flag was everywhere. When we talked to somebody about it, he showed us a map of the area of ethnic Albanians which reaches far over the borders of Albania including most of Kosovo. Despite the borders separating them, the Albanian people managed to preserve their cultural unity. Their national identity is particularly expressed in folk culture with its traditional costumes and dance. But there are also countless parallels in literature, music, cuisine and other areas.
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| The bridge over the river Bistrica e Prizrenit was covered with locks as a symbol of love. |
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| Old men roasting chestnuts |
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| If you need a spectacular dress, Prizren is the place to find it. |
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| Wedding? dresses in the traditional style |
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| Castle of Prizren at the entrance to the valley |
We took a walk up to the castle from where we continued on a good path into the valley until we reached the river Bistrica e Prizrenit, which we followed back to Prizren again. A very nice walk!
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| Prizren from the castle |
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| The number of expensive cars we saw in Kosovo was impressive |
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| Going back to Albania again |
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| We stopped for the night at the river below this dam |
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| Flower of the Day |
