Cessna 180
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- Feb 11, 2013
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On the bus around the lake and at the Albanian border. This seemed a bit simpler process than entering Macedonia from Bulgaria. The beautiful scenery was just the start of what continued for the rest of my trip. This was a bit of a minibus, every seat full and not much chop really. Just a few hours of inconvenience though which can be a bit of fun. A German couple sat next to me and they had been riding their pushbikes all through the mountains. I saw quite a bit of this from now on too. Now I do not mind jumping on the pushy from home to the pub or for an hour or so now and again for some exercise. But all day up through these mountains Ludicrous! Especially given the roads and driving, but good on them if they enjoy it.
The Tirana bus station is a bit out of town near a big shopping centre. From there one gets another bus into the city. This bus, along with about 90% of everything else in Albania, is cash only of course. So off to find a bank teller. The bit of research I had done told me there was one brand of teller which did not charge a fee. This later turned out to be false anyway. So if anyone else is going to Albania, just get a big wad of Lek on arrival, wear the $20 odd fee and put it behind you!
The next couple of days around Tirana, walking around and doing the touristy things. Tirana seems like a nice city. For some reason, in a city and country with 1000s of restaurants I struggled to find something to eat on my first evening. I walked round and round and ended up at some place with an English menu that took credit card. I felt like it was obviously a tourist trap but whatever, I was getting grumpy and hungry. Spent $50 on a meal and a couple of drinks. That was the most expensive food for the rest of the trip.
On Tuesday, I cancelled my Budget reservation and went with SixT again. Same experience, they met me in town, swiped my card and off I went. Very friendly and helpful. First corner I went around the cops pulled me up, went on about something, and told me to “be Careful”. After this I saw cops on the side of the road everywhere. Sometimes just standing there with this red and green wand and sometimes pulling folks in. Fortunately, that was my first and last dealing with them.
Destination was Berat. This is one of the places I particularly wanted to visit in Albania. On the way I went through this little town with what appeared to be disused oil well pumps. I could even smell oil in the air. Apparently, Albania has or had good oil reserves.
On arrival at Berat I was met by this nice couple who ran a little apartment adjacent to their house. Again, basic but functional with THE perfect view. A person could look out to both parts of the old town Mangalem and Gorcia. As I like to do in any new spot after dropping my bag and inspecting the room, don sneakers and find the biggest hill to walk up. This one, led to another old castle.
After that little ascent and descent, I was thirsty and hungry. So off to find a local spot. Great Albanian food; a sausage stuffed with cheese what more could a person ask for? Accompanied by a great view of the creek and the old bridge. A bit more of a walk around after tea.
The trip had taken me a while to find my groove until now. I really liked this place and wished to stay another night. In the morning, I woke in the mood for cruising. I was getting the hang of this chaotic driving on the wrong side of the road again. Plus, once out of the bigger towns the roads were actually reasonably quiet. My next main place I wished to visit was Girokaster. However, I knew there was a lot to see and to between me and there so I thought I would just let the day pan out. I had discovered by now that there was no shortage of accommodation and the days are long.
The Tirana bus station is a bit out of town near a big shopping centre. From there one gets another bus into the city. This bus, along with about 90% of everything else in Albania, is cash only of course. So off to find a bank teller. The bit of research I had done told me there was one brand of teller which did not charge a fee. This later turned out to be false anyway. So if anyone else is going to Albania, just get a big wad of Lek on arrival, wear the $20 odd fee and put it behind you!
The next couple of days around Tirana, walking around and doing the touristy things. Tirana seems like a nice city. For some reason, in a city and country with 1000s of restaurants I struggled to find something to eat on my first evening. I walked round and round and ended up at some place with an English menu that took credit card. I felt like it was obviously a tourist trap but whatever, I was getting grumpy and hungry. Spent $50 on a meal and a couple of drinks. That was the most expensive food for the rest of the trip.
On Tuesday, I cancelled my Budget reservation and went with SixT again. Same experience, they met me in town, swiped my card and off I went. Very friendly and helpful. First corner I went around the cops pulled me up, went on about something, and told me to “be Careful”. After this I saw cops on the side of the road everywhere. Sometimes just standing there with this red and green wand and sometimes pulling folks in. Fortunately, that was my first and last dealing with them.
Destination was Berat. This is one of the places I particularly wanted to visit in Albania. On the way I went through this little town with what appeared to be disused oil well pumps. I could even smell oil in the air. Apparently, Albania has or had good oil reserves.
On arrival at Berat I was met by this nice couple who ran a little apartment adjacent to their house. Again, basic but functional with THE perfect view. A person could look out to both parts of the old town Mangalem and Gorcia. As I like to do in any new spot after dropping my bag and inspecting the room, don sneakers and find the biggest hill to walk up. This one, led to another old castle.
After that little ascent and descent, I was thirsty and hungry. So off to find a local spot. Great Albanian food; a sausage stuffed with cheese what more could a person ask for? Accompanied by a great view of the creek and the old bridge. A bit more of a walk around after tea.
The trip had taken me a while to find my groove until now. I really liked this place and wished to stay another night. In the morning, I woke in the mood for cruising. I was getting the hang of this chaotic driving on the wrong side of the road again. Plus, once out of the bigger towns the roads were actually reasonably quiet. My next main place I wished to visit was Girokaster. However, I knew there was a lot to see and to between me and there so I thought I would just let the day pan out. I had discovered by now that there was no shortage of accommodation and the days are long.
