With the Friendship Tour wrapping up its Turkey leg and entering Greece, it was time to bid adieu to three members of the team - David, Nizar and Ammar. 

It's always hard to say goodbye after going through so many experiences together, and just as with other team members who were with the tour on various legs of the journey - Maria, Rebecca, Petra, Haider and Taha - it was sad to see them go. But it's a long tour and not everyone can get that much time off.

It was also sad to leave Istanbul, which deserves at least a week to really take in the sights. 

On the other hand, going to Greece is like going home for me since I know the country so well – I spend my holidays here every summer.

This time though, the Immigration and Customs officials weren't very happy to see Macedonia on the tour map on the Land Rover. They pointed to the map location and told me that that was Skopia (in Greece),  not Macedonia. I replied that if they say it is Skopia, it is Skopia. At this, they say Ifkharisto (thank you) and let me go.

I spent the night in a motel, then woke up in the morning and drove through a forest all the way to North Macedonia.

I will spend two or three days in North Macedonia before returning to Greece for a break.

Ali Mushaima