Summary of My 22D19N Balkans Travelogue (2019) Covering Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania & Montenegro

SUMMARY OF MY 22D19N ITINERARY

Day

Destination

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Kota Kinabalu → Singapore Singapore → Istanbul → Bucharest Bucharest Bucharest → Brasov + Bran Brasov + Sinaia Brasov + Sighisoara Brasov → Bucharest → Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo → Sofia Sofia Sofia → Skopje Skopje + Ohrid Skopje → Pristina Pristina + Prizren Pristina → Tirana Tirana + Berat Tirana → Kotor Kotor Kotor Kotor → Podgorica Podgorica → Istanbul Istanbul → Singapore Singapore → Kota Kinabalu

FLYING WITH SINGAPORE AIRLINES

This is my second time flying with this prestigious and award-winning airlines? Why I chosen this airlines? One of the main reasons is because it's connecting the flight between Istanbul and Kota Kinabalu with transit in Singapore and the airfare was pretty affordable. 

VISA & CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Visa is not required for Malaysian passport holders to visit all these 6 countries. However, this will change from 2021 onwards. Malaysians will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver, which will be obtainable through the online application system. For more info, you can check out here.

As for currency exchange:

• Only Kosovo and Montenegro are using Euro (€)
• Romania - National currency is leu (€1 = 4.60 leu). I exchanged at Bucharest Airport and Bucharest Old Town (of course I would recommend the latter)
• Bulgaria - National currency is lev (€1 = 1.91 lev). I withdraw some from Veliko Tarnovo train station and exchanged the rest in Sofia
• Macedonia - It's known as denar (€1 = MKD61.40). I exchanged denar at the Old Bazaar of Skopje.
• Albania - It's national currency is lek (€1 = 123 lek). I went and exchanged at the shop opposite of my hostel.
  
  

RECAP OF MY TRAVELOGUES

• From Kota Kinabalu to Bucharest, Romania
• Bucharest - The First City of Romania I Wandered
• To Brasov From Bucharest
• Short Trip To Bran Castle From Brasov
• Peles Castle of Sinaia, Romania
• Sighisoara, Transylvania's Medieval Fortified City
• Train From Brasov To Veliko Tarnovo
• Goodbye Veliko Tarnovo and Hello Sofia
• Sofia, Bulgaria - Things To Do & See In A Day
• Skopje, The Capital City of North Macedonia
• Short Trip From Skopje To Ohrid, North Macedonia
• Leaving Skopje To Pristina
• A Day Trip From Pristina To Prizren
• Tirana, The Beating Heart of Albania
• Berat, The Town of A Thousand Windows
• Kotor, A City of Montenegro That Stole My Heart
• Hiking San Giovanni Fort of Kotor, Montenegro
• The Island Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of The Rock) & Bay of Kotor Cruise
• Podgorica, Montenegro
• Istanbul Tulip Festival 2019

MY TRAVEL HAUL

A handful of fridge magnets I bought

Chocolates. It's funny I don't really into chocolates but then, I love to buy chocolate as souvenirs to friends and family.

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Kotor, A City of Montenegro That Stole My Heart

<< Previous Post: Berat, The Town of A Thousand Windows <<

Kotor is my second last city before heading back to Istanbul once again. Kotor is a fortified town sits in the northern part of the Montenegro coast on the Adriatic Sea. And that's mean I have ticked off another new country - Montenegro. While the name of Kotor might seems funny to us as it mean "dirty" in Malay language, but the fact is that it has become one of my favourite cities in Balkans Peninsula. I love this coastal town so much that I stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights without doing any city hopping. 

FROM TIRANA (ALBANIA) TO KOTOR (MONTENEGRO)

#1: Bus from Tirana to Kotor with few stops at Skadar, Podgorica and Budva

Kotor is fairly well connected with neighboring countries by bus. You can get to Kotor from Dubrovnik and Split (Croatia), Sarajevo and Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Skopje (Kosovo), Belgrade (Serbia) and even Tirana (Albania). However, do take note that the bus schedule and frequency varies according to season and there is no accurate source of the varying schedule available online. Hence, the best thing you can do is immediately check out the bus schedule once you arrive at your destination.

As I was from Tirana, I took a local bus from Skanderbeg Square to Tirana Temporary Bus Terminal for international bound lines which is just behind a sport centre (Pallati Sportit Asllan Rusi) for 40 lek (approx. to RM1.50/€0.33). Alternatively, you can walk for about 25 minutes there. A single bus trip to Kotor from Tirana costs €25 (approx. to RM116) and the bus ride is nearly 6 hours, or more depending on the traffic conditions. I purchased the bus ticket on the day itself right after I reach the bus terminal 30 minutes earlier in order to secure myself a seat. In case you have huge luggage with you, you need to pay €2 of storage fee to the bus driver. Oh well, this is quite common practice as it happened during my trip in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia.

ARRIVING IN KOTOR (MONTENEGRO)

#2: Kotor Main Bus Station

Kotor Main Bus Station is not that far away from the Old Town (known as Stari Grad) which is about 10 minutes walk and for the first time in my record, I booked my stay outside of the Old Town. If you read most of my previous posts, you will know that I always love to stay inside or within the Old Town but not this time. I booked the hostel that is facing the seafront of Kotor Bay and guess what, it's the wise choice I ever made and I'm absolutely satisfied with it. Wondering why Wikitravel didn't list this hostel - what a shame! Luckily I put extra effort to search for more.


#3: The hostel I stay in Kotor is facing the seafront of Kotor Bay


#4: This is how the hostel looks like - clean, chic and pretty cheap too. It's just €9.50 for a night stay.

Hostel Pupa
Date Stayed: 21 April - 24 April 2019 (3 nights)
Room Rate: €28.50 for a bunk bed in mixed dormitory room for 3 nights (Booked from Booking.com)


#5: The best part is that the grocery store is just behind the hostel.

STARI GRAD (OLD TOWN) OF KOTOR
Kotor might seems small in size, but I would recommend to spend at least 2 minimum nights here. Though in some part where I might find this city has almost similar features as Dubrovnik especially where both cities are walled and close to each other, Kotor tends to be more cheaper than the latter.


#6: Similar to Dubrovnik, Kotor is also a walled city but then I found it's more cheaper than Dubrovnik.


#7: Sea Gate of 1555, the main entrance of Old Town

Obviously, Stari Grad (Old Town) is the place where you shouldn't miss when in Kotor as this is where its history, culture and tradition are being preserved until today. It consists a handful of interesting and fascinating monuments of the medieval architecture: from churches and cathedrals to palaces and even the museums. Besides that, you will find yourself walking through multitude of narrow streets, squares and markets within the walls. You might get lost while wandering through the old town which it's like a maze but trust me, it's really fun and full of adventures.

Below are few photos I took while wandering through the Old Town:


#8: Old Town Clock


#9: St Tryphon's Cathedral


#10: Maritime Museum (Entrance fee: €4)


#11: Serbian orthodox church of St Nicolas


#12: Laundry hanging on a washing line


#13: Most of these stone buildings with green painted windows


#14: Venetian fortifications of Kotor


#15: Kotor is one of the destination for major cruise ship

During my days in Kotor, I saw at least two enormous cruise ships docked in Kotor Bay. Therefore, Kotor tends to be more happening and crowded with a group of tourists from the cruises during the daytime. However when the sun was about to set, the city immediately turned into a quiet and less happening zone. Most of the restaurants and shops within the Old Town close as early as 6pm.


#16


#17: Postcards (€0.30 per piece) and magnets (the cheapest I found €2 per piece)


#18: Anyone interested with this oil for erotic massage?

I almost forgot! The official currency for Montenegro is Euro (€). Hence, you don't have to bother to exchange any local currency, unless you don't have any Euros with you.

Apart from Stari Grad, actually there are more things to do and see in Kotor itself, like climbing up the Upper Walls and hop to the Island Gospa od Skrpjela. I will blog more about these soon.

Coming out next

>> Next Post: Hiking San Giovanni Fort of Kotor >>

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Berat, The Town of A Thousand Windows

<< Previous Post: Tirana, The Beating Heart of Albania <<

I have to admit that my 3rd Solo Europe trip is like city hopping. I had been constantly hopped on and off from one city to another almost everyday, without a miss. Some said it's might seems pretty exhausted which I can't deny the fact but I guess this is part of the travel adventure. 

I arrived in Tirana, the capital city of Albania yesterday and I based at there for two nights. Hence, on the following day right after I woke up, I was thinking should I proceed to do another short day trip out from the main city. After considering that since I already in Albania, I should grab the chance despite I was slightly tired. I chosen to visit Berat, a town which is nearly 2 and a half hours from Tirana by bus. 

I know I know - that the name of the town might seems funny to some of you cause in Malay language, it indicates for "heavy" or "weight" but this town is listed as one of the most beautiful cities in Balkan Peninsula. It also listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, don't play play! 

GETTING TO BERAT FROM TIRANA

Tirana bus stations are quite confusing cause not they have one or two, but they seem like have more than 3 bus stations. Luckily, the owner of the hostel I was staying has printed all the directions and stick on the wall. This absolutely makes it's so convenient for traveller like us to gather information.

#1: Direction to get to Berat by bus

#2: This is how the bus to Berat looks like at Tirana Southern Bus Station (Dogana)


#3: Berat City Bus to the town. Just wait for the bus in front of the shop of the bus statation

Countries like Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania seem to be less of tourists and they are known to be the less beaten visited countries. When I was in Berat, I was the only Asian traveller and I did feel awkward because most of the locals were looking at me. But sooner, I felt comfortable cause the local were quite friendly and helpful in helping me get to the center of the town from Berat bus station.


#4: Stone houses on the hillsides are the reason that attract visitors to there.

Known as the Town of a Thousand Windows, Berat is one rare example of the well-preserved and finest Ottoman-era architecture. When I was inside the city bus, I was not sure where's the exactly place to stop but once I saw these stone houses on the steep hillsides, I knew this is exactly where I want to drop-off immediately from the bus. Forget about museum and any other interesting sights cause my main reason to Berat is solely for this enchanting sight.

Apparently, there are plenty of things to do and see in Berat but because I arrived around the noon time, I tried to take things slowly without getting rush here and there. I decided just to leisurely walk around the town, enjoy the view and scenery and lastly, finding a cafe to sit down and relax. I was absolutely lost track the number of days on the road cause the length of this trip of mine was almost 3 weeks. That's explain why I was so tired and exhausted, especially being too long away from home.


#5: Modern bridge over the Osum River


#6: Magnificent snow-capped mountain view from the bridge

#7: View of Mangalem from Gorica

One fun fact about Berat is that it has two distinctive old towns area; Mangalem on the north of the river whereas Gorica on the south of the river. The previous is a traditionally Muslim area and consists with ancient white Ottoman houses and as for the latter is a traditionally Orthodox Christian area with lovely byzantine churches.

Because the last bus depart to Tirana from Berat was scheduled to be at 4pm, I tried not to walk further away but end my trip by walking to the pedestrian street of Berat along Osumi River for a cup of hot coffee at a random cafe. Guess this is the travelling way I always want it to be lately cause I'm not as young and energetic as I used to be.


#8: Sitting at random cafe for a cup of hot coffee and writing postcards

And that's how I spent my day in Berat - simple, short and relax. Might not as fruitful and insightful cause I skip from visiting any interesting attractions but then, this is my trip. I plan and I decide all by myself - that's the benefit of solo travelling.

>> Next Post: Kotor, A City of Montenegro That Stole My Heart >>

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Tirana, The Beating Heart of Albania

<< Previous Post: A Day Trip From Pristina To Prizren <<

It's time to bid goodbye to Kosovo and travel to the southwest border which is Albania. Albania is a small country in the Balkans Peninsula on the Adriatic and Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. The capital city, Tirana is the city I'm intend heading to from Pristina. There is no rail connection to Tirana and hence, the ideal option is by taking bus. 

GETTING TO TIRANA FROM PRISTINA BY BUS

#1: Bus from Pristina to Tirana

From Pristina Bus Station, search for the bus with the sign to Tirana. The bus ticket can be bought from the ticket counter on the same day of your departure time. If you like to know more about the bus schedule between Pristina and Tirana, you can check out here but it's in Albanian. A single journey costs €10.50 and the ride takes nearly 4.5 hours. 

#2: Tirana Temporary Bus Terminal for international bound lines - Behind a sport centre (Pallati Sportit Asllan Rusi)

Before reaching Tirana, I did my research from Wikitravel (the site I always rely on for almost all my trips), it stated that Tirana doesn't have any permanent bus stations like the rest of the cities and the bus driver might simply drop the passengers at various location. Too be honest, I was quite worry and anxious as I was all alone by myself. Thankfully, the bus stopped behind a sport centre (Pallati Sportit Asllan Rusi) which is about 25 minutes of walking to the hostel I booked in Tirana and it's near Skanderbeg Square. It's just a temporary bus terminal for international bound lines cause there are other bus terminals for the domestic line. Sounds confusing right? Therefore always be prepared with offline map which can be downloaded from Google Map. 

CURRENCY OF ALBANIA

#3: Banknotes and coin of Albania

The official currency of Albania is lek, though Euro is widely accepted. However, I would recommend to exchange to lek as you'll get better deal. Albanian is a closed currency, which means it can't be exchanged outside the country. It's wise to exchange them, or spend them before exit the country. 

€1 = 123 lek

MY STAY IN TIRANA

#4: Love the way they decorate the wall - filled with postcards from the countries that the owners been. 

#5: A female dormitory room with 6 bunk beds

Hostel Taipei 101 Tirana
Date Stayed: 19 April - 21 April 2019 (2 nights)
Room Rate: €16 for a bed in 6-bed female dormitory room for 2 nights (Booked from Booking.com)

The hostel I stayed in Tirana is kinda special and unique to me cause it was owned and managed by a Taiwanese couple. Hence, they named their hostel as Taipei 101 - which it's pretty obvious. The lady owner is significantly attentive and friendly and you can't imagine how happy I was that time cause finally I can communicate with someone for more than an hour, especially in Mandarin language and also exchanged our almost similar culture. Both of the owners are also world travellers and they have been to more than 70 countries before decide to settle down in Albania. One of the reasons is because the living expenses in Albania is pretty cheap compare to the rest of European countries. What an interesting life they have but for me, I still prefer to live in Malaysia. No matter how many countries I've been, no matter which country that capture my heart, still Malaysia is always the place I want to live and stay forever. 

SIGHTSEEING AROUND TIRANA

#6: Fascinating mural art of Tirana

Tirana is relatively small enough to be explored by walking. However, be cautious while walking around Tirana because the pathway is not well maintained and some have large holes due to the heavy construction and development.  

PAZARI i RI MARKET 

From my hostel, I walked to the one of the oldest and most historical residential neighborhood in the city which locally known as Pazari i Ri and it takes approximately of 15 minutes walking. My intention of visiting here is to catch a glimpse of the local market where there are more than 300 farmers selling various of items; from fresh fruits, local vegetables, daily products, seafood and even spices. Besides being a marketplace, there are countless of bars and restaurants too. Probably because it's was weekday by the time I was there, it was quiet and not busy as I thought. Maybe it's best to come and visit during the weekend. 

#7: Pazari i Ri - a marketplace in Tirana 


#8: Look! I found magnets here.

Skanderbeg Square

You might have come across the name of this square before from my Pristina post but Skanderbeg Square of Tirana is the nerve centre and symbolic site for the country. Locally known as Sheshi Skenderbej, the square is the ideal place to start witnessing Tirana's daily goings-on. The square is named after the Albanian national hero and his statue is built in the middle of the square.


#9: A statue of Albanian hero Skanderbeg stands in the square with the Albanian flag on the side.


#10: Government building featuring Italian architecture


#11: National History Museum

Actually there are more attractions in Tirana where you can include in your itinerary such as BUNK'ART, an underground anti atomic place but it's located in the outskirt of Tirana which you might need to spare few days in Tirana. Though I stayed in Tirana for 2 nights, I didn't manage to visit BUNK'ART cause I have other plan in my mind. And if you are into mountain scenery, you can consider heading to Mount Dajti National Park and riding on the cable car.

#12: Tirana is where the old and new Albania meet

>> Next Post: Berat, The Town of A Thousand Windows >>

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My 3rd Europe Solo Trip For Three Weeks (Sneak Peek)

Looks like my backlogs forever will never complete cause I just came back from another trip again. Yes, this is my 3rd round of solo trip to Europe after I experienced the first solo trip to Europe in 2017 as well as last year to Istanbul, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. I never thought that I will get addicted to travel alone cause previously, travelling solo is never my cup of thing. But somehow, life hits me so hard and I realised life is too short and I only live once. If I don't do it now, then when? 

I can say this one is impulse buying (not again!) when I saw another hard-to-resist deal from Singapore Airlines June last year. And I don't know what got into my mind, I decided to book a three weeks trip in the end. Somehow, I did regret and almost want to cancel this trip of mine due to work commitments but with the support and encouragement by the boyfriend, I proceed at the end. Turns out many things I didn't book in advance - including hostels as well as ground transportation especially the intercity one. It's so not me cause normally I will book everything and plan my trip well prior to the trip. But I glad that everything went well and smooth though I encountered several uncomfortable experiences and issues.

Three weeks - I've been to 8 different countries and 16 various cities & towns and for this post, I specially highlight those I really love the most, such as:


#1: Peles Castle in Romania.
I spent almost a week travel around Romania cause there are so many beautiful and mesmerising cities and towns in this country that worth for visit.


#2: Sofia, Bulgaria
I encountered an uncomfortable experience nearby the bus station during the beginning of my trip but then that don't stop me from discovering the beauty of Sofia.


#3: Skopje, Macedonia
Do you know that this is the birthplace of Mother Teresa? There is a small memorial house dedicated specially for her.


#4: Ohrid, Macedonia
The downside of didn't plan the trip well. I did a day trip to Ohrid from Skopje and it's really a quick and fast visit. I should at least overnight at this amazing and spectacular deepest lake of the Balkans.


#5: Prizren, Kosovo
With its rich cultural heritage, cafe culture and mountain backdrop, Prizren is Kosovo's best kept secret.


#6: Berat, Albania
One of the oldest town situated in southcentral of Albania, this town has its nickname known as "City of a Thousand Windows".


#7: Kotor, Montenegro
This is one and only town that make me stay for almost four days but still, I refuse to leave. Normally I will stay maximum of two days in a city/town and I chao immediately but not this one. Kotor does looks alike Dubrovnik to me.


#8: "World's Largest Tulip Carpet" in Istanbul, Turkey
Back to Istanbul for the second time. However, I found out Istanbul is overcrowded with tons of tourists. I hardly visit any of their attractions cause everywhere long queue. But I glad finally I managed to witness the tulip festival after saw it from the Internet few years back.


#9: Done with 6 out of 8 Balkans countries. Guess which two I don't make it.

P/S: Really wish that I can finish all my backlogs as soon as possible before my next trip is approaching soon. 

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