The water from the last dam blocking the Treska River in Matka Canyon.
We are on the road again with Roy and Janice; well actually, a short commute to Lake Matka and thecaves that can only be accessed by boat. We will visit one of the caves today that is open to the public; the cave is named "Vrelo". The road we follow leads us through a couple of villages adjacent to Skopje that are mainly inhabited by Macedonian Albanians; we pass several large mosques, one is a very beautiful structure.
This mosques is located in Glumovo.
We arrive in the large parking area located below the dam to find a "man-made" competition kayaking course, that according to the signage is world class. From my perspective above the rushing water I can see obstacles strategically placed in the river to challenge the "kayakers". There are young boys up to young adult males jumping/sort of diving into the "quieter" areas in the river (I see no females; this suggests that they are not allowed; or my thought; they are smart enough to realize this is really dangerous considering this course was designed by someone named "Darwin").
The water backed up behind the dam is as still as glass.
The hike up to the dam is crowded with locals and a few tourists; the path is level and there is fencing/railing to keep you on course. We are only 20 minutes from downtown Skopje; sheer mountain cliff faces; trees from the waterline up the side of the mountains, small forests of pine and deciduous trees cling to the stone; butterflies everywhere and Mallard ducks floating on the lake. The air is much cooler than in Skopje; and with a breeze that is just enough to keep you cool.
The subtle reflection is captivating, with a visible waterline.
The trail takes us to an area where a restaurant and boat moorage is situated. Roy stops at a shop to ask about a boat to the caves; a few minutes later and 400 Denar per person lighter, we are off to find Vrelo. The boat is narrow with a roof and seating along the sides; we are advised by the "captain" to not stand up in the boat unless we wish to end up in the water (enough said; the water is ice-cold). The captain informs us that Lake Matka was formed in 1938 as part of a hydro-electric project for Macedonia.
A Lake Matka "cruiser".
The boat trip takes us about 30 minutes to arrive at our destination below the opening to Vrelo; a study metal dock awaits with steps that were built for NBA players. The guide goes ahead to start the generator to power the lights inside the cave; butterflies are all around the opening to the cave. As we descend the stairs a dramatic change in temperature occurs about halfway down the stairway; the guide advises us that the temperature in side the cave is a constant 12-14 degrees C (53.6-57.2 degrees F). Almost immediately upon entering the cave; it is much cooler and very damp; dripping water; stalactites and stalagmites abound; along with about 8,000 of our closest "bat" buddies (according to the guide).
Stalactite "modernism" look.
The largest of two subterranean lakes in Vrelo.
The largest of the two lakes has been explored by a team of international divers searching for the source of the lake's water. The guide explained that just outside of the cave an underground spring erupts into Lake Matka; so far the dive team has been able to follow the stream over 300 meters down; the team believes that the spring emanating from below Vrelo may be the deepest cave-lake in Europe. The dive team will return in the summer of 2013 to continue mapping the course of the stream.
The ripples/patterns you can see in this picture are from the subterranean stream that is being charted by the dive team.
The area around/surrounding Lake Matka is also popular with rock climbers; the face of many of the cliffs are straight up from the lake.
The largest carbineer I have ever seen.
We enjoy the quiet of the lake on the return to the dock; passing us going to the cave are several boats of tourists. It is a good day at Lake Matka; not too hot, water is calm and the scenery reminding us a lot of Central Oregon (we all may be a little "home-sick").
Our "lunch break" location on Lake Matka.
We have lunch below the watchful eyes of an old Orthodox Church and more boys semi-cliff diving into the lake; a couple of rubber boats drift by and a moored dingy floats on the lake.
The church of Sveta Andreja (Saint Andria).
The walk back to the car is a gentle down-hill adventure; Janice decides to "shop" and get her last memento from Macedonia; it is a constant stream of people as we wait just outside the gates leading to the grounds of the Matka Hotel and Sevta Andreja. Janice scores her bit of Macedonia and we are off to Skopje. We have a busy evening planned in Skopje. A very fun trip just outside of Skopje; lots of walking; boating and spelunking too!
