September 3rd - Skopje

 A bit of a nature trip today, and just a few kms out of Skopje, for a visit to Matka Canyon and Pestera Vrelo (a cave formation).   

Our destination was a cave system on and in Lake Matka, a lake formed by the damming of the River Treska.  The dam here, St Andrew’s, is pretty unique being the only one of its kind in the world due to its construction design.  It was built in the shape of an arch with several levels (rings), all of which are independent of each other and supposedly preventing a major disaster if any break or collapse.  It does raise the question though, if this was such a good idea why weren’t any others built using the same technique?! 🤔😳😊

It was a little bit of a dusty hike getting to the boat which was taking us through the canyon and to the caves.  However, once on the water it was fantastic to take in the beautiful views of the gorge’s tree-clad walls high up and above the deep blue-green water.  It really is stunningly picturesque and in places reminiscent of the River Murray back home. 

Our final destination, Vrelo Cave, with a depth of over 200 metres, is one of the deepest underwater caves in Europe and among many others in these limestone mountains.  Although we weren’t allowed to wander very far, once inside it was great to see the stalagmites, stalactites, water-pools, and other rock formations, all illuminated with different colours lighting. 

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