Discovering New Places: A Beautiful Reminder of Life’s Wonders

Saturday coffee and a relaxed atmosphere are best complemented by a great travel read from Kajak.mk. Our team is thrilled to have found the perfect person who, through an interview, gave us all an inspiring lesson—blurring the lines between traveling at home and abroad. Meet Eli, whom we affectionately call Eli_Karameli, just like her travel Instagram profile. Eli is a pediatrician, adventurer, and lover of all kinds of travel.

WE: Could you introduce yourself in two or three sentences, as you would like our travelers/readers to know you?

ELI: It’s hard to describe oneself, but if I had to, I’d say I’m an extremely energetic and positive person. Someone who tries to live every moment of life fully, embracing all the beauty and opportunities it offers.

Working as a pediatrician fulfills my great love for children, and it’s a profession I’ve always wanted to pursue.

I’m a huge fan of mountains and nature, and I try to spend every free moment hiking one of our mountains, as they are a fundamental source of my personal happiness and fulfillment.

I love traveling, delicious well-prepared food, wines (especially Macedonian), and walks in nature.

WE: How did you fall in love with traveling, and since when?

ELI: I’m not exactly sure when it started, but I know that traveling has always been a part of my life. I love to travel, whether it’s within our small and beautiful Macedonia or abroad. For me, traveling is a true escape from the daily routine. It’s a great way to break the monotony of everyday life and obligations. I enjoy all kinds of trips—whether it’s a day tour to Popova Shapka, Mavrovo, Kitka, Karadzica, a weekend by one of our lakes, visiting a Macedonian village, or traveling to a foreign country. It doesn’t matter where, what matters is who you’re with (only well-chosen and positive company) and how long the trip lasts.

WE: What inspired you to explore and discover new places?

ELI: Simply put, it’s something you carry within yourself. Personally, I love exploring the surroundings, nature, wildlife, and the perfect harmony that nature creates. When I travel to new places for the first time, I want to learn how others live and always try to take away something new and useful that I can apply in my own life. I explore and discover new places because it reminds me how beautiful life is and how blessed we are for everything we have around us. Unfortunately, we’re often not aware enough of this and don’t take good care of nature or what we have around us.

WE: Why the mountains?

ELI: Because they restore the lost feeling of freedom that the city takes away from me.

Because they fill me with peace.

Because they free my soul from negative energy.

Because they clear my mind.

Because they push me to understand myself and face my inner struggles.

Because they teach me patience, perseverance, endurance, and discipline.

Because there is no better feeling or more beautiful view than the horizon at the end of the journey.

WE: What is unique about the Macedonian mountains?

ELI: Everything — their endless beauty, both gentle and wild. The magnificent mountain ranges rich with forests, greenery, and diverse trees. The abundance of springs, streams, and rivers; the meadows full of flowers in spring and summer; the explosion of colors in autumn; and the pure whiteness of winter... I’m not sure there’s any place in the world with such stunning mountains and so many high peaks packed into such a small area, so close no matter where you start.

In Skopje, just 20–40 minutes from the city, you have Vodno, Matka, Kitka, and Skopska Crna Gora literally “at your fingertips.” At any moment, you can easily reach the peaks of Jakupica, Dautica, Šar Mountain, Bistra, and Korab. To the south, there’s Belasica; to the east, the Osogovo mountains. Wherever you go, there’s a mountain and a peak to enjoy.

I’m not sure there’s any other place on earth where, in such a small area, you have so many mountains to enjoy whenever you want. All you need is the desire. Hiking gear is something you gradually gather once you decide that mountains can become a part of your life.

WE: You have photos of children in the mountains as well. As a pediatrician, could you list the benefits of taking children out into nature?

ELI: Living in cities with heavily polluted air and in an era where children are increasingly dependent on electronic devices, the positive effects of taking children into nature are more than obvious. Fresh air, physical activity, socializing, and getting to know the beauty of the land we live on are the greatest benefits for children’s mental and physical health.

WE: What should parents pay attention to when taking their children out into nature?

ELI: There are a few very important things. First, the child needs appropriate clothing — ideally layered so it can easily be adjusted according to the weather conditions, and also to provide protection from insects and injuries from bumps or falls. Regular and consistent rehydration is essential, primarily with water and herbal teas, and also fresh fruit-based energy drinks that you can prepare at home. Light food and snacks rich in quick energy are important to keep the child’s energy levels steady throughout the physical activity.

WE: If the borders open this summer, which destinations would you recommend for traveling with children?

ELI: There are no strictly good or bad destinations, just more or less recommended ones. For me, a wonderful vacation could be five days camping with family and kids in tents at Golemo Lake on Pelister or on Galichica. Or a seven-day tent tour along a carefully planned route through Macedonia. Outside Macedonia, Greece is always a good choice due to its proximity, but nothing compares to the scent of pine and sea air in campsites under pine forests along the Croatian coast. Whatever you decide, wherever you go and stay, the most important thing is to do what you love and enjoy what you do in a way that makes you happy.

WE: What is your goal for 2021?

ELI: My goal for 2021 is to fully enjoy the Macedonian mountains and to hope for open borders so I can continue traveling where I left off last year.