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Sofia was no exception. I didn’t do much today, just recovered from the flight. I went to the grocery store for a few items. Every cashier was a middle aged woman with a scowl on her face. When I smiled and said hello to buy my items the scowl remained fixed in place. I was later told this was a hold over from the communist era, where smiling made you stand out, and standing out was a bad thing. June 17, 2017 - Saturday Sofia Bulgaria I did a walking tour of Sofia, and then went inside the main church. In the evening I met my tour group for the next two weeks. This an Intrepid Travel tour that starts in Sofia, goes through through the former Yugoslavia (except Serbia) and ends in Dubrovnik. June 18, 2017 - Sunday Skopje Macedonia Today we took the bus to Skopje Macedonia. Once there we walked around the town center and did the Kale Fortress. June 19, 2017 - Monday Prizren Kosovo We did a day trip to Prizren Kosovo. We went up to the fortifications that overlook the town, great views from up there. We had lunch in town, a beer and pizza only cost a couple of dollars. Very cheap. It was an okay day trip, but very long, and in my opinion not worth the travel time there and back. June 20, 2017 - Tuesday Ohrid Macedonia The morning was spent traveling to Ohrid, which is a town on a lake. Very picturesque. They says there are so many churches here that there is one for every day of the year. We walked around and saw a few of them, plus some fortifications and an outdoor theater. Had drinks with half the group later in the day. June 21, 2017 - Wednesday Ohrid Macedonia We took a boat ride around part of the lake, and went swimming. The boat captain brought out a bottle of homemade liquor called raki. Basically paint thinner, but we all had a shot or two. June 22, 2017 - Thursday Korce Albania Traveled to Korce Albania. Did a walking tour, saw more churches. June 23, 2017 - Friday Tirana Albania On the way to Tirana (capital of Albania) we stopped just off the highway to look at some bunkers. The guy in charge of Albania way back when was worried about being bombed or invaded, so he had bunkers built everywhere. In Tirana we did another walking tour, and saw some the communist architecture and old statues. June 24, 2017 - Saturday Tirana Albania Morning day trip to Kruja. Saw the castle there and a small market. I bought an ashtray in the shape of the bunkers that litter the country. The guy who sold them said he had three real ones in his backyard. Spent afternoon at the hotel pool. June 25, 2017 - Sunday Kotor Montenegro Traveled to Shkoder to see the fortress there and have lunch. After that we went to Kotor Montenegro for two nights. I climbed the hillside above the town which had magnificent views of the area. Saw lots of cats on the way up, and off one side passage some goats. Had a cider with dinner in a small restaurant off a little square, which was delicious.  June 26, 2017 - Monday Kotor Montenegro In the morning we took a boat trip around the bay and went swimming. In the afternoon I just hung out at the hotel. Group dinner in the evening. June 27, 2017 - Tuesday Dubrovnik Croatia Long drive to Dubrovnik Croatia. We walked along the town walls as a group (really great views from there) and had our final dinner. The tour ends. June 28, 2017 - Wednesday Dubrovnik Croatia I walked around inside the walled part of the town (hotel was outside the walls, you need to take a bus to and from there). I went to some of the churches and museums, but nothing was too special. I wanted to take the cable car to the hill above the town but it was too windy. June 29, 2017 - Thursday Dubrovnik Croatia Full day trip into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stopped at the pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. Continued onto the main objective of the day, Mostar. Big attraction here is the bridge that links the two sides of the town. It was blown up during the Yugoslav war and now rebuilt. Had a very nice lunch and then back to Dubrovnik with a short stop in Pocitelj.  On the way there we had to get our passports stamped.  On the way back the border guard just asked where we were from, did not look at our passports, and just waved us through. June 30, 2017 - Friday Dubrovnik Croatia Fly home. Overall a great trip. Would recommend the tour.
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