Click here to see the route we followed through Albania and Macedonia
 

In the end of June 2005 we visited Albania. We took the cartrain from Hamburg in Germany to Villach, Austria. Afterwards we spend two nights in Bled, Slovenia, before heading to Rijeka in Croatia. From Rijeka we sailed down the Adriatic coast, making a few stops in fx. Spilt and Hvar, before ending in Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik we drove to Baosic in Montenegro, there we stayed for two nights. In Baosic we lived in the same house as we did on our vacation back in 2003. We had an amazing trip to Risan, Perast, Kotor and Lovcen. The next day we went to Ulcinj in the Southern part of Montenegro, close to the Albanian border. After only one, but great, night in Ulcinj, we finally crossed the Albaian border on the 24th of June. We were curious about how it was going to be: How hard would it be to cross the border? How would the roads be? How would the Albanians treat us? What would the traffic be like? Would there be problem with stealing? Luckily we got a warm welcome, and we had an exciting, different and unforgettable experience in Albania, where the hospitality of the people and the beauty of the country is what we will remember the best.

Click here to read two small stories from Shkodėr

We had two special experiences in Shkodėr:

1) When we arrived in Albania we did not have any Lek (Albanian money) and therefore we were eager to find an exchange office fast. We stopped in the city of Shkodėr, because we were lost anyway. We stopped in a random street, where there was a butcher. I (Kai) told the two others: “I am going in to the butcher to get some Leks”, and so I did. The butcher was working on an animal with an axe when I came in. After a couple of attempts in different languages and body language, I got him to exchange some Euros. When we came to Tirana I checked the rate of exchange, and I discovered that the butcher had been very fair with his rate of exchange. The moral of this little story is: I you want to exchange money and get a good rate of exchange: go to the butcher.

2) When we came to Shkodėr, unfortunately we drove to the left instead of the right after the narrow bridge and ended up in the centre of the city there the road are really bad. We had a feeling we were going the wrong way (there the no signs on the road and we did not have a map of the city) so we stopped in the side of an awful roundabout with extremely bad road. I (Kai) saw to old men standing on the other side of the road and I ran across the road and asked them for directions for Tirana. They did not understand one single word I was saying, but it surprised me that they did not understand I was saying Tirana. After some minutes one of the men started smiling saying something that sounded more like “Dirana” instead of “Tirana”. I got a very quick language course in how to pronounce Tirana in Albanian (or at least in Shkodėr) and by body language and signs they told me the way to Tirana. As we thought, we had made the wrong turn at the edge of the city. When we drove off they both waved eagerly. It was a wonderful experience with two old men and their helpfulness.

Here are some pictures from our first day in Albania:

The border of Montenegro - Albania Now we are in Albania The bridge over the river Bojana by Shkodėr Shkodėr in the northern Albania Very bad road in Shkodėr
The border of Montenegro - Albania Now we are in Albania The bridge over the river Bojana by Shkodėr Shkodėr in the northern Albania Very bad road in Shkodėr

Two old trucks between Shkodėr and Tirana Hotel Dajti, Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana
Two old trucks between Shkodėr and Tirana Hotel Dajti, Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The Skanderbeg square in Tirana


The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The big park,"Parku Pinia", Tirana Fountain by "Parku Pinia" "The Pyramid", Tirana Former communistic ressort, now in color
The Skanderbeg square in Tirana The big park,"Parku Pinia", Tirana Fountain by "Parku Pinia" "The Pyramid", Tirana Former communistic ressort, now in color


"Twin Towers", Tirana Ministry in the evening Concert with the group "Elita 5"
"Twin Towers", Tirana Ministry in the evening Concert with the group "Elita 5"


Video from concert on the Skanderbeg square, Tirana d. 24-06-05 with the pop group "Elita 5": (~ 6 MB, download may take a while)

Start video and experience the atmosphere of the concert.
Concert on the Skanderbeg square, Tirana d. 24-06-05 with the pop group "Elita 5"


Listen to Elita 5 (one of Albania’s most known pop groups)



Click here to read about our experiences in Tirana

Before we left for Albania we had tried to reserve a room at the Palma Hotel in Tirana, but we did not succeed. When we drove into Tirana there were too many things to keep an close eye on; the traffic, the bad roads, the navigating through the town without signs by the road and finding a place to stay. We tried to find the Palma Hotel, but we could not, but everything worked out any way. We ended up outside the Dajti Hotel and we decided to stay there (it coasted 65 Euro). The hotel is situated about 300 m from the Skanderbeg square, witch is the ‘’time square’’ of Tirana. The hotel is famous for been the place the foreign leaders stayed when they visited the communistic Albania. It is one of the only hotels in Tirana who has not been privatize (will happen gradually from the second half of 2005), and wherefore the standard is not very good, but it is a great experience walking around the big rooms where you can easily imagine the important leaders staying. We had a funny episode with the receptionist who did not have any change when we paid for the stay. We owed 15 Euros, but he said that we could just pay when we had gotten some more money and so we did. While staying at Hotal Dajti, our car where parked on the supervised parking lot of the hotel the whole time. The night of our arriving day in Tirana, we were to a free concert with a popular Albanian pop band called "Elita 5" at the Skanderbeg square. It was an incredible feeling standing there (probably as the only Danes) among all the Albanian people and see the concert. The second day in Tirana was extremely hot, and we ended up staying in the shadow in the big park "Parku Pinia” (right across the road from the hotel) for about five hours.

Pictures from our second day in Tirana, Albania:

Historic museum at the Skanderbeg square Street trader with his Chinese bicycle "Twin Towers", Tirana "Parku Pinia", Tirana "Parku Pinia", Tirana
Historic museum at the Skanderbeg square Street trader with his Chinese bicycle "Twin Towers", Tirana "Parku Pinia", Tirana "Parku Pinia", Tirana


Cafe by "Parku Pinia" "The Pyramid", Tirana The "cosy" Hotel Dajti The "Sahati" and Et'hem-Bey mosque, Tirana The fountain by park "Parku Pinia"
Cafe by "Parku Pinia" "The Pyramid", Tirana The "cosy" Hotel Dajti The "Sahati" and Ethem-Bey mosque, Tirana The fountain by park "Parku Pinia"


Video from the Skanderbeg square, Tirana d. 25-06-05: (~ 5 MB, download may take a while)

Start video og oplev stemningen på Skanderbeg pladsen.
From the Skanderbeg square, Tirana d. 25-06-05

Video Tirana by night d. 25-06-05: (~ 4 MB, download may take a while)

Start the video to experience the intense evening traffic.
Tirana by night d. 25-06-05


More pictures from Tirana


Pictures from the drive from Tirana via Elbasan to the Macedonian border:

The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The road down to Elbasan
The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The mountains before Elbasan The road down to Elbasan


Steelworks by Elbasan Two different means of transport Finally a good road Refilling our water bottles by a spring The mountains in the direction of Makedonien
Steelworks by Elbasan Two different means of transport Finally a good road Refilling our water bottles by a spring The mountains in the direction of Makedonien


Shortly before the border of Macedonia The beautiful lake of Ohrid Waiting by the Albanian – Macedonian border A view towards the Macedonian side of the border
Shortly before the border of Macedonia The beautiful lake of Ohrid Waiting by the Albanian – Macedonian border A view towards the Macedonian side of the border


After two days of exciting experienceses in Macedonia we return to Albania on the 28th of June. Here are some pictures from the drive between the Macedonian-Albanian border to the city of Vlore by the sea. The Macedonian-Albanian border took very long to pass – 1½ hour! It was not because there were many cars – there were 6-7 car and a bus, things just take a bit longer here. All the information from our passports were written in a big book manually (no computer here).

Disinfectant fluid, to prevent infection The Albanian border - a car from Kosovo in front of us A couple of bunkers from the Hoxha-era The Albanian flag by the border Kai’s friend who spoke both English and French
Disinfectant fluid, to prevent infection The Albanian border - a car from Kosovo in front of us A couple of bunkers from the Hoxha-era The Albanian flag by the border Kai’s friend who spoke both English and French


The Macedonian - Albanian border, passing time: 1½ hour! One of the large bunkers from the Hoxha-era The city of Pėrrenjas in Albania This is the way to wash your car in Pėrrenjas Mosque in Pėrrenjas
The Macedonian - Albanian border, passing time: 1½ hour! The city of Pėrrenjas in Albania The city of Pėrrenjas in Albania This is the way to wash your car in Pėrrenjas Mosque in Pėrrenjas


An old Albanian truck Two different means of transport The view from our hotel in Vlore The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel towards the south
An old Albanian truck Two different means of transport The view from our hotel in Vlore The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel towards the south


The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel Hotel Delfini in Vlore
The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel The beach in front of the hotel Hotel Delfini in Vlore


Click here to read about Vlorė

In Vlorė we stayed at Hotel Delfini (price: 28 Euros)
Right outside Vlorė is the borderline between the Adriatic sea and the Ionian sea.
Vlorė is also known for being the place Albania was declared a independent republic on the 28th November 1912.

Click here to read about our experiences on the road from Vlorė to Sarandė

The first part of our journey from Vlorė toward the south was a little hard because the roads were very bumpy and bad. We were aware that 130 kilometres in one day would be the most difficult route we had to drive in Albania, jet we were surprised that the roads were that bad. Most places our maximum speed was 30 km/h. One of the few places the road was good, really good actually, the goats were on the road and we had to drive very carefully. The trip from Vlorė to Sarandė took us about 8 hours! Vi took our time, eating lunch in Himarė, swimming in the sea both in Borsh and Himarė, and stopping many places to enjoy the spectacular nature and to photograph. Especially the Llogaraja pass and all of the Albanian Riviera were amazingly beautiful, but the roads… - amazing our Ford Escord could handle it.

Breakfast: jam, cheese and bread The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore
Breakfast: jam, cheese and bread The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore The beach by Vlore


The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore Bathing by Orikumi
The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore The road outside Vlore Bathing by Orikumi


Finally a good road But – then there is the goats The goats run away But one of them find us very interesting The incredible mountains just before the Llogaraja pass
Finally a good road But – then there is the goats The goats run away But one of them find us very interesting The incredible mountains just before the Llogaraja pass


The Llogaraja pass in 1027 m height The bus is a little to big for this hairpin bend The mountains surrounding the Llogaraja pass It is pretty steep here The Ionian sea
The Llogaraja pass in 1027 m height The bus is a little to big for this hairpin bend The mountains surrounding the Llogaraja pass It is pretty steep here The Ionian sea


The road down to the Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The road through the first village after the pass
The road down to the Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The Albanian Riviera The road through the first village after the pass


In the same village there were this "fine" bridge The beach by Dhėrmi The road seen from above by the Llogaraja pass Relaxing, drikning and enjoying the beautiful view of the beach by Dhėrmi The beach by Himarė
In the same village there were this "fine" bridge The beach by Dhėrmi The road seen from above by the Llogaraja pass Relaxing, drikning and enjoying the beautiful view of the beach by Dhėrmi The beach by Himarė


The beach by Himarė - the Albanian Riviera A little south of Himarė The old Submarine base from "the cold war" A little south of Himarė - Korfu in the bagground Cows on the road - there are not many cars here anyway
The beach by Himarė - the Albanian Riviera A little south of Himarė The old Submarine base from "the cold war" A little south of Himarė - Korfu in the bagground Cows on the road - there are not many cars here anyway


The beautiful beach by Borsh med about 20 persons The beautiful beach by Borsh The Albanian Riviera - just wonderful A little north of Sarandė is this scenery Jet another turtle
The beautiful beach by Borsh med about 20 persons The beautiful beach by Borsh The Albanian Riviera - just wonderful A little north of Sarandė is this scenery Jet another turtle


Video from the beach by Borsh d. 29-06-05: (~ 6 MB, download may take a while)

From the beach by Borsh d. 29-06-05:


Click here to read about Sarandė

In Sarandė we stayed at Hotel Palma (price: 65 Euros).
Sarandė is the city that is furthest to the south in Albania. It has 290 days of sun a year and the temperature is mostly very pleasant. In the summertime it is rarely more than 30ŗC.
Sarandė is known for being the place the Albanians go to get married.

Sarandė Sarandė - Hotel Palma Sarandė Sarandė Sarandė
Sarandė Sarandė - Hotel Palma Sarandė Sarandė Sarandė


Documents requered for the driver The beach by Sarandė The beach by Sarandė The view from Hotel Palma – swimming lessons The view from Hotel Palma
Documents requered for the driver The beach by Sarandė The beach by Sarandė The view from Hotel Palma – swimming lessons The view from Hotel Palma


The hydrofoil boat "Flying Dolphin" sails to Corfu in 45 min. The ferry to Corfu Hotel Palma – from the ferry The beach - from the ferry There is room for 4 cars
The hydrofoil boat "Flying Dolphin" sails to Corfu in 45 min. The ferry to Corfu Hotel Palma – from the ferry The beach - from the ferry There is room for 4 cars


Goodbye Albania The many halffinished hotels in Sarandė It was a lovely sail in two hours Goodbye Sarandė Scenery south to Sarandė
Goodbye Albania The many halffinished hotels in Sarandė It was a lovely sail in two hours Goodbye Sarandė Scenery south to Sarandė


Corfu Scenery south to Sarandė Scenery south to Sarandė The cars is lifted so that it is able to get out of the ferry Kai backs out of the ferry
Corfu Scenery south to Sarandė Scenery south to Sarandė The cars is lifted so that it is able to get out of the ferry Kai backs out of the ferry


More pictures from Albania


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