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Pelicans Traditional Cache

Hidden : 11/27/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Pelicans


This cache will introduce you to the “last frontier village” – Konsko (“Horse village”). This tiny village lies on the western coast of the Prespa Lake, far from all other settlements.


Houses in Konsko



The location of this village is quite special: you can reach it only on water – by boat, or on forest road from the Stenye village. Konsko still bears signs of previous life style of the villagers. Many old houses, most in ruins, fish nests hanging around, boats on the shore… Most of the villagers moved to other places, Resen mostly, and only few elders live during summer in Konsko. Then their main occupation is fishing small fish, called tzironka (Common bleak, Alburnus alburnus).


A fisherman and pelicans



An old-fashion way of conservation of common bleak is performed here. The fish, without any preparations, is soaked in salt (30 kg fish in 6-10 kg salt) for about a week. Then the fish is strung on a twine and a process of drying starts. Garlands, or chaplets of fish are hanging on wooden supports for weeks, on wind and sun, turning white, dry and fragile. Such prepared fish is stored for the winter. You can buy one fish garland (the price for one garland is about 200 denars).


Drying the fish



Here is the recipe how the villagers prepare the dry fish (the owner of this cache prepared it several times). Put 10, 20 fish into an oven pan. Put it into the oven on 170 Dg. C, for about 10 minutes. No water, no oil is added!!! The fish should shortly bake dry. Then remove the fish out and soak it in hot water until the water is cooled. You can repeat the process of soaking in hot water one more time, to remove excess salt. Then with your fingers gently rub the fish skin, which will easily peel, open the fish belly and remove fish guts. Then fry the fish shortly on oil with garlic, grounded red pepper, some wine or lemon juice and enjoy this simple, oriental food…


Galejnik, pelicans and Snake Island



The lake shore along the village is nice and almost empty. You can enjoy swimming and sunbathing. Usually the lake surface is covered with abundant bird species: Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Grebes (Podiceps), cormorants, various species of ducks etc. And pelicans! This huge, unusual birds attract your attention by their strength and elegant flying. When the villagers return back from the fishing, a crowd of pelicans wait for them and literally eat offered fish from their hands! The pelicans often move between the two Prespa lakes (Small and Great Prespa Lake) depending of the breeding period and season of the year.


Today many villas are built in Konsko, even a hotel! You can spend few days here, feeling like Robinson Crusoe. BUT KEEP IN MIND THIS: there is no store in the village and no drinking water wellspring. The villagers drink the lake water or bring bottled water from Stenye or other places. Therefore, bring your own supplies of food and water!!!!!


The cache is a small white plastic container.Please, be aware of snakes: check the cache place with a stick or a branch first!



How to get there:The village Konsko, and this cache, lies about 9 km from the village Stenye, which is the last village on the west coast, near the Macedonian-Albanian border. From Stenye to Konsko leads a forest road. In the center of the Stenye village (R1) turn abruptly to the left and drive some 180 meters toward the lake. Proceed south-east, along the lake shore, about 2.3 km, to the R2 point. Here turn uphill right and continue on the forest road. There is no need of terrain vehicle. My Fiat Panda, regular, no 4x4 options, get me there without problems. A bike is good option too.


Please, extreme stealth and precaution is required when getting out, logging and putting back the cache, in order to protect it of Muggles! In case of lost of the cache the owner can visit the location and restore it only 1-2 per year! Thanks.

Sources: Internet sources. Photos: Original (Galejnik)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gerr. Ebbgf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)