As Stephen rides through Theth National Park in Albania, he’s surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery on his journey yet. Known for its rugged terrain, waterfalls, and pristine rivers, Theth has been on Stephen’s list for six years. Back then, the roads weren’t yet paved, making this visit a long-anticipated milestone.
Leaving the park behind, Stephen heads toward the Kosovo border, arriving in the bustling city of Prizren. The heavy traffic and heat dampen his mood, a contrast to the quiet roads he’s previously encountered, but he presses on. Prizren itself is full of history, with beautiful Ottoman-era architecture and a rich culture. However, like much of Kosovo, the city faces economic challenges, with many families struggling to meet basic needs.
While in Prizren, Stephen meets Father Alberti, who invites him to visit a local family in need on the outskirts of the city. They meet a family of four—two parents, both farmers, and their young children. Despite their hard work, the family’s low income means they must make do without essentials like a proper shower or consistent heating.
The next day, Stephen heads to Peja, where he visits the Patriarchate of Peć, a historic Serbian Orthodox monastery that dates back to the 13th century. This monastery is an important spiritual and cultural site in the area, famous for its beautiful old frescoes and peaceful location at the foot of the Rugova Mountains. With these wonderful memories in mind, Stephen gets ready to leave again, this time heading towards Macedonia.
Join Stephen’s journey again next week to see what experiences lay ahead in this epic journey! New episodes of Dinja Mutur will be airing on ONE every Thursday at 10:00pm, and if you missed an episode, you can watch the episode on demand on one.com.mt, or on repeat:
– Saturday at 11:40am
– Sunday at 11:00pm
– Tuesday at 11:00am