Lighthouse Moments: Connection That Guides Us

Update from the Road: Macedonia to Albania to Greece and back to Albania again!

We recently rolled from Macedonia into the rugged beauty of eastern Albania. After a couple of nights camped high up near a small lake, the weather shifted dramatically — cold, rainy, even snow in the forecast. So, we made a quick call: chase the sun.

Getting to the Albanian coast from where we were would have meant a six-hour-plus drive through serious mountain terrain. But just four hours away across the Greek border?  Highways that led straight to the warm Mediterranean. So off we went to Greece. We spent two nights in 20°C sunshine at a lovely campground near Igoumenitsa. A much-needed warm intermezzo.

Now, back in Albania, we’re continuing our northern route through the mountains — recharged and ready for more.

The Real Treasure: Human Connection

This past stretch of our journey was defined not just by landscapes, but by the people we met. Our rigs parked next to theirs. Shared meals. Long chats about life, travel, and what drives us.

Like the couple with the vintage Airstream turned motorbike garage. They roam the world with a Harley and a classic BMW tucked into the back of their sleek silver trailer — part home, part Base Camp.

Or the Unimog duo we met at the Blue Eye in Albania. A quick compliment on their truck turned into a deep exchange of travel tips and stories. They’d spent the winter in Greece, flown home for Christmas, then returned to resume their journey. Just like that, connection.

We also camped beside a sweet Swiss couple, retired teachers on a months-long tour of the Peloponnese. Simplicity and curiosity drove their travels, and their gentle presence was a warm reminder that adventure doesn’t have an age limit.

Sometimes connections spark in the most unexpected ways. At Plitvice waterfalls, we didn’t speak a word to the couple parked next to us — until we crossed paths inside the national park. We struck up a conversation while waiting for a boat, and the conversation lasted for hours. They’d walked the Camino multiple times. We shared reflections on our own spiritual experiences in Taizé. The places we’ve been may differ, but the values that guide us felt familiar.

We also had a surprise reunion with Pablo and Jonathan, two Argentinians we met on a walking tour in Skopje. Days later, soaked in hail on a motorbike trip to Lake Ohrid 120km south of Skopje, we saw a car pull up. Out stepped Pablo and Jonathan. What are the odds?

After that motorbike tour with hail and heavy rain, we started driving back to our truck — and the sun came out. My hands were cold and we had just left the main street in a small town near Lake Ohrid half way home. The road ended barely 100 meters later and turned into a footpath that led down a cliff to the lake. We parked the motorbike and descended in our full riding gear. At the bottom, we discovered a beautiful, quiet marble beach with a small pier extending into the lake. A little exhausted, we soaked in the warm sun and enjoyed the fruit and cake we’d packed for the ride.

Then, out of nowhere, a waiter from a nearby restaurant came walking down to the beach. He had spotted us from above, noticed our wet motorbike gear, and mentioned that he, too, is a biker. He kindly asked if we’d like a coffee or tea to warm up. We agreed — and even offered to pay (his emotional intelligence and clever salesmanship impressed me). But he insisted the drinks were on him. We gratefully accepted, and during our tea break, we chatted and found out he rides a BMW. That simple gesture turned into another memorable connection.

Or the fellow overlander I met while riding solo in the remote Albanian highlands. I passed his 4x4 RV on a dirt road, then later stopped and chatted when he caught up. Days later, we bumped into each other again — this time walking the old market streets of Gjirokaster.

The Lesson? Values Create Bonds.

All of these encounters share one thing: they remind us how easy it is to feel connected when we meet people with shared values, be it travel, faith or motorbiking. It’s about curiosity, kindness, simplicity, and being open to connection — on a trail, in a city, or at a market.

These small moments show us something big: you don’t have to be far from home to meet like minded spirits. You just have to be open. A smile, a shared interest, or even just standing in the same line can be enough to spark something meaningful.

So here’s our invitation: Whether you’re on the road or on your morning commute, look up. Say hello. Ask a question. Compliment someone’s dog, or their car, or their shoes. Connection is waiting. And it might just become the most memorable part of your day.

Until next week — stay curious.