Lake Ochrid, Makedonia

To visit Lake Ochrid,

might turn out quite of an adventure, since this pearl in southern Balkan area is nearly impossible to reach by direct flights. At least not from Milan, where I live. 

Ochrid Lake is situated nearly 700 mt. above sea level in south western of Macedonia and 1/3 of the lake belongs to Albania. Ochrid has its own airport, but it looked not well used to me, as only few flights landed in our three days stay in the city. 

I took this trip with my usual company; the Serbian siblings. 
On our way back from lovely beaches in Greece, we headed out to Macedonia. 
The roads from Thessaloniki are fairly good up to Skopje; highway all along towards the capital of Macedonia, after witch there are two roads, both circling around the mountain area. 

photo by author

Once we arrived to Ochrid, round 5 pm, not only we were welcomed by a tropical temperature, but also with warm full summer season touristic atmosphere. It seemed to be quite awkward in the end of September as we heard later on. The weather had been unstable until the day before to our arrival. 

As I mentioned pearls, this area is well known for sweet water pearls, available in several stores in the city. I didn't buy any since I had run out of cash and unfortunately I couldn't withdraw from any of those several cash dispensers. But I certainly will do during my next visit, whenever that might be. Withdrawal using visa and master card works perfectly. My V-pay didn't. 

photo by author

For several tourist around the globe Macedonia is cheap. Just to give you an idea, a fairly rich lunch with some starters and fresh fish soup, beer and water cost €5,50 per person. To visit churches and other monuments, is required a fee that is proximately €1,40. Only wine bought in restaurant is pretty expensive, if anyone wishes to go for a good Macedonian wine. 

Santa Sophia's church; photo by author

Macedonia is known by exporting paprika. The main product made of paprika is Ajvar; so called Balkan Caviar. To make a jar of ajvar is necessary nearly 100 kg of paprika, a lots of hours of work and long cooking period. And of course, a good paprika. 
No. You can't make Ajvar from the paprika you find in your grocery store, unless it is long shaped and fat. 

As I like to travel in places where food is delicious, I have to admit that I had really good meals in Ochrid. Mostly trout from the lake, but also lamb and several vegetables, cheese and wine. One of the things serbs and Macedonians have in common, beside Ajvar is Burak. Burak is a pie with cheese or meat filling and mostly eaten for breakfast, since it could turn pretty heavy for a main meal. Burak can be made at home, if it is possible to find the right main ingredients, and by following tutorials from several websites. 

The colour of the lake is incredibly beautiful; turning from dark blue to emerald green. As in our boat trip to visit the Bay of Bones and the bay of St. Naum. The shore just after Ochrid is filled with several hotels and residences to fill-fill the needs of tourists. As the lake is clean and swimming is permitted, many of these hotels offer sun beds and a place near the beach. 
The Bay of Bones is the oldest village of the lake; the oldest lake in Europe, counts about one million years. This village was probably settled between 1200 and 700 bC and gives to the visitor an excellent idea of how people used to live in those days. All cottages with the lake view. 

Bay of Bones; photo by author

St. Naum used to be a Bulgarian writer and a monk who lived in 9th century, and the monastery was established by St Naum himself. He is also buried in the church. In 16 hundred the Greek school took it over. But this wasn't our main reason to visit St Naum. We headed there to visit the incredible swamp that forms just before the Lake Ochrid. The water temperature is 11°C and its vegetation creates an optical illusion; it looks like its deep only a meter, but its at least 3 meters deep. 
To visit the swamp is necessary to get in one of those rowing boats along the area, rowed by local personal  The tour takes proximately 30 minutes, offering amazing photo shoots and the sound of silence. 

In the third day of our stay, we payed a visit to the fortress that finds itself in the highest point of the hill; the view from there was just stunning. Walking down the hill, we visited the Roman amphitheatre, and three orthodox churches. 

full moon and Macedonian flag; photo by author

In the harbour area is to be seen the statue of St Clement, the father of Balkan cyrillic letters. What I didn't know is that the Balkan cyrillic letters are made to be pronounced as they are written. And has origin from Greek alphabet. This information made me interested to learn them. It could be easy to us finnish, since we also pronounce as we write. 

One of the things a tourist might not know and even think about is to use local beauty services, such as hairdresser or a beautician. I had my feet done and washed and dried my hair by a professional. 
The beauty salon took €15 for bringing my feet back to walking condition and the hairdresser cost me €5. Worth for helping local small businesses. 

To organise a group visit to Ochrid, please do not hesitate to ask info@kairos-travel.eu

Milan in one day? No way

Take time to visit Milan

Far too often I keep on reading comments about people visiting Milan, and not getting the kick they have expected. And then figure out they spent one day and with no guide.
That would be like reading a tourist guide about Milan in just one day. Reading. Not visiting.

photo by Carmen Terrazzino,  duomoventiquattro

Milan is not like Florence, or Rome. Nor it is like Venice. Milan is spread out. One part is seen in the area of Duomo Square and some in the area of the Sforzesco Castle. Then there is the ancient Roman area, mainly churches of paleochristian period. Not to forget the Brera disctrict and the Academy of Art. A bit further a new area called Porta Nuova. Again a bit further away, the Isola. In the other side Navigli, Porta Romana and so on.

photo by Repubblica.it

If you plan to visit Milan and you have just one day, You will see about 10% of what the city actually has to offer. No wonder you go home exhausted by walking 10 km and not been able to see the same monuments as in Rome, Venice or in Florence. It would be like comparing Jerusalem to New York.
Have you ever walked Manhattan back and forth in just one day? 

TripAdvisor 

Milan is mainly a financial city, with ancient roman history unfortunately destroyed by several inquisitions. And not only. Milanese people liked to build new, instead of preserving old buildings. That at least until the end of 19th century. Some of those old monuments are still to be seen; thanks to Luca Beltrami, who believed in preserving. 

photo from italia official website

Milan used to be an important centre during the paleochristian period, that's why Milan still have serveral ancient churhes.
As I am atheist and I don't really care about churches as religious locations, I still thing they are the best buildings to preserve art and architecture. Luckily, most inquisitors were intimitated to destroy churches. Not Maria Teresa from Austria thought. To build a new theather, she had no second thoughts to demolish the church that stood in the way of her plans.

photo il Post

Milanese people love aperitifs. Ever since the 80's, Milan speard out locals that offered so called happy hour with some wine/cocktails and little snacks to accompaign. Nowadays you might even get a total meal with a cost of just one drink. 

Photo by Luxgallery.it

I once read an autobiography of a Milanese artist. Actually he is from Sicily, but moved to Milan to complish his studies and stayed as an artist. With little or no money, he succeeded to survive visiting all the different openings of galleries, museums or other occations and thus feed himself. 
The quantity of art galleries also might turn out as a problem, in witch a local professional could be pretty useful.

photo by turismo.it

Milanese people are also pretty money tight. Not like Ligurian ones. It is quite common that Milanese people do not look rich although they might have Ferrari in their Garage. Quite the opposite is to be found in south of Italy, where even the poorest family save a lifetime, to give the most fabulous wedding to their children. Not to mention that golden rings and chains belong to everyone. That is not in Milan, where even the latest family member of a marchese would wear wooden bijouterie in a formal occation. 

But how would anyone come to know all these things if they stand in a corner of Duomo reading that tourist guide, instead taking a local host, or a professional guide. 
It is a great investment of tourist's money. 

To visit well Milan, contact me as I can be your local host

Kairos Travel is specialised to assist larger groups (min 20 persons) of tourist to enjoy Milan and smaller business groups who wish to visit Milan Rho and fair of Milan Centre, offering  transport, concert and restaurant reservations among hotel accommodation.  Bookings throughout info@kairos-travel.eu

No sunbathing?

I'm one of those ...

who was educated that sunbathing is healthy and necessary to get over the cold Finnish winter with as little flu as possible. Our sea has little if at all iodine and visiting mediterranean sea for two weeks seem to provide necessary amount of iodine to establish our respiratory defences.

pexels.com

But laying in the beach isn't obligatory. Jus being in the beach, perhaps walking early in the morning and in the sunset is more than necessary.
Most European have this idea that where ever there is a sea and a beach, sunbathing is a must. While I have noticed that most overseas travellers avoid beaches and sun.

At my visit to Austria three years ago, I learned that although they have sun, sea and pretty nice climate, they do not go to the beach at all. My cousin explained that her parents never were keen to go to the beach, as if they were afraid of it, and she grew up with the idea that laying in the sun and swimming ain't just how she could spend her days. While I thought: what a waist it is, to live so close to such a beautiful beach and never go there.

Bondi Beach Sydney by australia.com

And that is the difference. You have it there, everyday and it won't disappear. The sun shines nearly 300 days in a year and if you miss those 299 days, there still be that one day. Besides all those stories about sharks in Australian beaches are not completely true. Sometimes there are sharks, but more often there are stingrays and jellyfish. 
What actually happens in Australia, is that in most part of the country water is far too cold to have a swim. Unless in the northern part of the country.
In my visit to Bali, nearly 25 years ago, it was us Europeans to lay on the beach while Australians and Asian population visited the island. 
(Well... So did we, but with less intensity.)
Also at the Caribbean, we europeans lay on the beach while others dive, snorkel, play golf or do several other activities. 
Countries such as Southern Europe, Dubai, Morocco or Tunis, Turkey and The Caribbean live with tourism. We do nothing but lay on the beach, eat and drink. This kind of tourism ends up consuming a lot of food and drinks not produced locally and leave huge amount of rubbish to take care of the locals. Small islands in the mediterranean sea get tons and tons of food and other items from the mainland. 

cbsnews.com

How many of us would satisfy to live as locals?
The idea of visiting an idyllic island with it's origins has disappeared. The souvenir items are mainly produced in China. And international supermarkets over rule in case I get homesick in 10 days and need the coffee I'm used to drink. Like I couldn't live without my regular diet for 10 days.
When I book a trip, one of the first thing I do, is to check out what kind of culinary culture the country has and prepare myself psychologically. It is easier to face heavy Balkan or Arabian food if I know what I'm going to experiment.
And what ever diet I might follow, I can assure I find those products every where. Like in Iran, where consuming sheep meat is normal. There is always rice and local vegetables if I'm on vegan mood. And for vegetarians there is good news: Eggs are eaten in every country.

norecipes.com

Of course the taste is different. But who prohibits me to print one of these receipts from the web and try how does it taste. And only then book my trip. In this way I truly can eat in every country of this planed. 

rezeptwelt.de

If I am travelling, there is no such thing as; The sun is too hot, sea water too salty, they don't cook meatballs with smashed potatoes, I can't have salty breakfast, coffee isn't like at home, there is no pork meat, or; there is only pork meat. Or it was mostly rainy, while the weather forecast promised a lots of sun.
What ever uncomfortable weather circumstances I find myself, there is always my hotel room and a book to read. 
Except in rare cases; but we won't talk about them right now, won't we. 

Where ever I am planning to go, I just enjoy my vacation; complains have this magical way to fade away once I allow myself to get used to the new circumstances. 

Book your organised tour for groups with: info@kairos-travel.eu 
And leave all the planning to the travel experts, so that your vacation is enjoyable. 

Lets talk about food, baby

Food.... Food... and Food

I love food. Mostly I like salty food and vegetables. 
So today we talk about eating healthy and lose some weight.

Until I was 10 years old, I liked salami, yoghurt and beetroots the most. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and for diner. But my mum got this fabulous idea to cut our the meat and add some veggies. Not that I liked it a lot, but with some tasty salad dressing it went down. Those dressings, I learned later on although I still like them, are unfortunately filled with salt, sugar and fat. 

At my high school period I worked as a kitchen help at the local Greek restaurant and learned how to make some delicious Greek dishes, such as moussaka, tzaziki and stifado. But my favourite was the Greek salad. 
And with my latest visit to Santorini, I enjoyed fully of it. 

But today, January the 8th I decided that at least 3 days in a week I apply the vegan food diet and in two days of those only fruits and veggies. 
I think that the best time to apply such diet are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  
In these days, I use Tuesday and Thursday for fruit and veggies only. 

Here are some hints also for you. 

This week my plan is:
As my fruit veggie day breakfast I decide to have a smoothie made by fruit and vegetables only. Such as Mean Green Smoothie, made of water, frozen berries, banana, kale and dates. The receipt is easily to find under the name of the smoothie. 
For a snack, at least two in one day, any kind of fruit will do. 
For lunch I make this salad: cucumber, tomato, paprika, onion, green apple and pickled cucumbers. As much as I feel to eat. The dressing is made by gluten free soy sauce/tamari and if I feel like I add some chopped cilantro. 
For a diner I plan to make this veggie soup with home made vegetable stock, made of:  
1 large onion chopped
2 large carrots chopped
2 large celery stalks, chopped
8 gloves of garlic peeled and smashed
8 spring parsley 
I use only the stock to make veggie soup and I eat the vegetables aside. 
This is just for one soup but if I double the ingredients (perhaps not the garlic) I have broth for twice. Once I have this stock I can add any vegetable I want, such as broccoli and cauliflower or pumpkin and zucchini. No potato, rice or pasta, because it wouldn't be a veggie fruit day anymore. 
Before going to bed, if I'm hungry, I eat one or two bananas. 

In the veggie day, at Wednesday, I have whole grain bread for the breakfast with home made vegan mayo with silken tofu to lower the calorie intake by fat and sliced tomato on the top. I like to add to my mayo some garlic, lemon juice and tomato pasta so that it is tastier. 
Some fruit for snacks during the day and for lunch I have this great salad I can do at home the day before and take it to the office: 
Any kind of small grain, such as whole grain couscous or millet will do. I add some kidney peas, chopped onions, cucumber, tomato, paprika, avocado and I add this dressing: lime and cilantro. 
For my vegan day diner I have this macaroni stew made of whole grain macaroni, cauliflower béchamel (check out the receipt at the web, that suits you the best) and kidney beans out of a can, leaked and rinsed. 
I cook the macaroni, and mix it with kidney beans. Then I taste them with spices I like the most. I add onion, garlic, paprika, chili, pepper and salt. I pour the béchamel on the top of it and bake it with 180°C about 30 minutes. 
If I'm hungry after diner, I eat an apple. 
The other fruit veggie day for lunch I have planned to have steamed cauliflower with some sunflower oil and lemon juice, with a salad as a side dish, using the dressing made of soy sauce and lime. 
For the diner I bake sliced aubergine, zucchini, tomato, pumpkin, onion and garlic in tomato sauce in the oven for 20-30 minutes.  I use origano in this specific dish to give more flavour. 
It's a similar to the french dish called ratatouille. 
One thing I must remind me over and over again: drink more water. 

For the other four days in a week, I'm free to eat what ever I want, but if I want to lose any weight I try to keep it on vegan. Those two vegetable fruit days in a week might make me lose 1 kilo in each week. It would be a real pitty to spoil the results, by eating potato chips, sushi or hamburger the other days. 
One of the thing that I don't like in many vegan receipts is the quantity of different kind of ingredients, because I am too lazy to count teaspoons and grams of each specific ingredient. My motto is: no more than 10 ingredients and if possible only five to each meal. I truly believe that my stomach and intestine works better, the less it has to digest. This might work differently to you. 

It is really easy to eat vegan. Even for the laziest ones like me. I can cook some whole grain pasta and make a tomato sauce and then add any veggie I just have in my fridge that day. 
But sometimes I want to try new receipts and surprise myself. 
My kids eat meat and there is no way to brainwash them to eat healthier, so I am forced to cook different dishes to them. And that annoys me a lot. I wish they'd eat healthier at this age, since it makes a difference. First, my skin appears still like any one at younger age. Yes, I have wrinkles and some grey hair, but my skin is still as soft as it used to be. This must be throughout the hydration veggies and fruit gives. 

Since I don't get any sponsorsships out of the websites, I don't feel like publicising any of those that have excellent and easy receipts but if you feel like following this diet until you are ready to try the swimsuit, write me in private and I do what I can to help you. 
I downloaded some pictures from the web, so that you may see how simple some of those veggie dishes can be. 

 oven baked sweet potatoes By inhabitat

Vegetable pasta soup by Greatist

Rice and beans by Restaurant Business Magazine

I am not a nutritionist, or a doctor. Just a simple tourist guide with a great love for food in different cultures. 
Feel also free to read my other posts about food and travelling. And if you are not up to try this 3 day in a week vegan diet, use the ideas for side dishes. 


Any time travelling around; group bookings for hotels and locals services throughout 
info@kairos-travel.eu