Albania
In Albania been two times.
First time in October 2014 during my South Balkans trip. Spent one week there. Also made a day trip to Greek town of Ioannina from Albania and was back.
And second time in September 2017 for 1 day during our Balkan road trip with Andriy Melnychenko and Vasyl Goida.
So, on my third day of the trip on 02.10. in the morning went to Shkodra by mini-bus from Prizren. On a border there were no Kosovo immigration, only Albanian, which we did very quickly. I was only one passenger in the mini bus for all trip from Prizren to Shkoder. We stopped just outside Prizren for a coffee with driver, he spoke Serbian, so I could communicate a bit with him.
There are excellent new highway form Prizren to the Albania and its lasting until turn for Tirana. That was real enjoy. Then later policeman stopped our minibus when he was overtaking track and driver paid 10 euro for the cop.
Then he dropped me before entrance to the city of Shkoder and I took local bus to the center and then found my hostel and went to the Rozafa Castle and to the lake.
The weather was excellent, was nice and hot. Climbed castle with nice view over the town and lake.
Then went along the river to the lake and stopped on a shore and had a swim in the lake, water was warm and quiet. On a way to the lake passed some gypsy district which looks scary, but it was only for short walk.
On next day (03.10.) - in the morning took a bus to Tirana, which took around 3 hours and coast 400 Leke. When arrived to Tirana, couldn't find hostel for a long time, then finally found it and after that went to see the city.
There was not many historical places to visit, mostly its modern city with some historical buildings and government buildings which looks impressive.
There are wide boulevards, but there is not one big bus station and buses in the different places for different routes. Train station is moved 15 km away from the center. So, had a walk around and on a way back to the hostel went to the bookstore to check for the English-Albanian phrasebook and met owner of the shop who spoke Russian and stayed there having tea and chatting with him in Russian for around 2 hours. He told me a lot of things about Albania and gave some information about travelling around.
There is big brand-new cathedral in the center. Its looks very posh. It impressed me a lot, one of the best cathedrals I ever been. Recently Pope visited Albania and it was big celebration over here.
The pyramid of former dictator of Albania looks miserable and ugly and in bad shape and its located in the center of the city.
Also at the backyard of some government buildings in the center seen demolished statues of former soviet dictators - Stalin and Lenin.
Then in the night met some guys in the hostel, had some drinks with them and places some game with ping-pong ball. It was one guy from Australia who said he visited already 97 countries and another guy from Alaska and some local Albanian guys. That was some fun. Went to sleep bit late.
On a third day (04.10.) woke up for the breakfast which was good with bread with fried eggs and juice and went to the stop for the bus to Berat. Then took a bus to Berat and arrived there after 3 hours or so.
Then took a taxi with some other guys to the center and then walked to the hostel, got there quite fast. Hostel was nice with nice rooms in old house in old part of the town and the girl working there was so nice and pleasant, so I spent a lot of time talking with her. She is French and working and living here with her American boyfriend and she is really funny. Also met in the hostel some other interesting guys, like one Israeli man travelling around the world and some guy from Albania.
After checking in the hostel went to see the town which is very nice with castle on top of the hill with people living there and well preserved.
There is also big church in the town and center is rapidly refurbishing and will looks nice when its done. Also walked on a other side of the town where I stayed and visited some church there as well and then went to eat something. There is big newly built posh University building, which looks amazing.
Then at night had a chat with guys at hostel.
On the 4 day (05.10.) after having some breakfast took a 8.00 mini-bus to Gjirokastra. Israeli man gave me a lift to the bus station on his way to Tirana. Then in the bus met 6 American senior tourists travelling around the Balkans. Had some fun, then stopped for a lunch on a middle of the road. After 4 hours in the bus by not really good roads arrived in Gjorokastra.
And it was strong rain, we went to the cafe nearby to wait for the rain to stop, had some coffee there and than took a taxi for the hotel which American guy Ronald Gole who got off here reserved. Hotel was nice and for 15 euro he agreed for me to stay there. Hotel situated on a top of the hill on a foothills of the castle and called ''Gjirokaster Hotel''.
The rain was continuing for all day until around 7 p.m., so we couldn't wait and got umbrella and went to the town to check for buses.
Then had some lunch and checked hotel I found on internet and it's even cheaper, its 7,50 euro per night. Then at night typed dairy about trip for last 4 days.
On 5 day (06.10) it was rainy again almost all day, only stopped before the night. Had breakfast in the morning in the hotel. We went to eat afternoon and then after rain stopped walked to the castle and took few pictures.
Got baklava, lemon and rakia and had it in the room. Ronald offered me stay for 10 Euro if he will use my laptop for internet, I agreed and stayed here for another night.
On 6 day (07.10) at the morning left Gjirokastra Hotel and moved to Sopoti Hotel, walked with Ron to the bus station, then checked about buses to Ioninna and Korça. One nice girl from the agency selling tickets spoke English and did help me a lot to find out about tickets and schedule.
Then came back to the hotel, got wet a bit, took shower, had some rakia with lemon and baklava and had nap for a bit, then it became sunny finally and I went to walk around the town, came to another agency about tickets and found that there is bus to Trikala, which is next to the Meteora for 20 euro at 7.30 a.m. Was thinking about going to Meteora instead of going just to Ioannina next day and Korça day after. So decided to go to Saranda and Butrint next day and Trikala(for Meteora) day after.
On 7 day (08.10) the weather was finally sunny after 3 continuous rainy days. It was foggy in the morning and on a way to the bus stop I decided not to go to Saranda and Butrint and to go to Ioannina and Korça next day. So, I took bus from Gjirokaster at 7 a.m. to the border to Kakovie and then crossed by foot and from there another Greek bus to Ioannina. Then when came back took a taxi for 5 Euro with some rude taxi driver who sticked to me as soon as I crossed the border, offering me ride to the town for 15, then 10, then 8 and at the end for 5 Euro, because there is no more local bus, only long distance buses, but they don't take anybody without the ticket. And then on a way there he offered me many times ride to my hotel for another 3 Euro which I didn't need at all, I was so sick of him. He even asked me show him my passport because he told me that maybe I'm from Syria or so. At the end he was begging for extra 200 Leke, I gave him 100 and was happy I was back to the town.
On 8 day (09.10) in the morning at 7.00 a.m. took a mini-bus(furgon) to Korça. Price for the ticket was 1300 Leke. There were no free seats, so I had to stand all 5,5 hours trip. The road was bad and it was passing along the cliffs with many serpentines and without any barriers, and it was very foggy at some parts of the road that we barely could see a few meters ahead.
But the scenery was stunning with some high mountains, gorges, valleys and remote villages passing by. The road at some parts was along the Greek border, I even got Greek mobile roaming there. We made couple stops, one for breakfast, where I had local delicious soup with meat.
At the end around 12.30 we arrived to Korça, which is big city with around 200,000 people. The streets around bus station were torn down and it was a big mess, so just walked for my bus to Pogradec. Then took some furgon for 200 Leke and came to Pogradec on Ohrid Lake.
The town looks different from other Albanian towns, its more like resort and very bright. Then walked all the way to the border with Macedonia, it took me around 2 hours, the weather was nice and I had a nice time.
On a way there finally saw couple bunkers near the road, but they where in bad shape. Had some raw corn from the field which was delicious.
Then arrived to the village of Tushemisht which have many shops and restaurants and welcoming guests with a big board. Had some snacks there before proceeding to the customs.
Then crossed the border, Albanian officer was very friendly and checked me without stamping my passport, but I asked to put a stamp and he was happy to do it.
In total had a nice time in Albania, and its one of the most interesting and not expensive country in the Balkans. Country developing fast, everyone have a Mercedes car(old or new), still a lot of garbage, nobody utilize. Language is difficult to understand, for whole time I just learned few words. Country is not that much Muslim as Kosovo and I saw many Christian cathedrals and churches and been told that marriages between different religions not a problem.
VIDEO FROM ALBANIA (2014)[ENG SUBS]
So during my second visit in September 2017 with Andriy Melnychenko and Vasyl Goida after Montenegro and unsuccessful attempt to enter Kosovo we reached Albania at Vermosh - Guci checkpoint. Didn’t see any welcome signs on Albanian side.
At the beginning there was bad road with some random cows along, but soon we enjoyed newly built excellent road thru Prokletiye Mountains.
It was so nice ride. Traditionally seen some bunkers in the village along the road.
Drove all the way to Shkoder where we stayed in some roadside motel in the room for 15 Euro for 3 of us. Weather changed, it became much warmer.
Next day (16.09) in the morning after having coffee in the motel bar we came to the Skadar Lake. Got some pictures and arrived at the center to buy some souvenirs and get some local money for collection.
Got magnet and local coins. Then moved on the way to Tirana and stopped on the way to wash our car.
Then continued thru Elbasan and reached border with Macedonia at border crossing Qafë Thanë - Kjafasan (Ќафасан) where our car was sent to check. Then man was asking for some money for the coffee. Vasyl gave him 4 euro.
Mar 2021
First time in October 2014 during my South Balkans trip. Spent one week there. Also made a day trip to Greek town of Ioannina from Albania and was back.
And second time in September 2017 for 1 day during our Balkan road trip with Andriy Melnychenko and Vasyl Goida.
So, on my third day of the trip on 02.10. in the morning went to Shkodra by mini-bus from Prizren. On a border there were no Kosovo immigration, only Albanian, which we did very quickly. I was only one passenger in the mini bus for all trip from Prizren to Shkoder. We stopped just outside Prizren for a coffee with driver, he spoke Serbian, so I could communicate a bit with him.
There are excellent new highway form Prizren to the Albania and its lasting until turn for Tirana. That was real enjoy. Then later policeman stopped our minibus when he was overtaking track and driver paid 10 euro for the cop.
Then he dropped me before entrance to the city of Shkoder and I took local bus to the center and then found my hostel and went to the Rozafa Castle and to the lake.
The weather was excellent, was nice and hot. Climbed castle with nice view over the town and lake.
Then went along the river to the lake and stopped on a shore and had a swim in the lake, water was warm and quiet. On a way to the lake passed some gypsy district which looks scary, but it was only for short walk.
On next day (03.10.) - in the morning took a bus to Tirana, which took around 3 hours and coast 400 Leke. When arrived to Tirana, couldn't find hostel for a long time, then finally found it and after that went to see the city.
There was not many historical places to visit, mostly its modern city with some historical buildings and government buildings which looks impressive.
There are wide boulevards, but there is not one big bus station and buses in the different places for different routes. Train station is moved 15 km away from the center. So, had a walk around and on a way back to the hostel went to the bookstore to check for the English-Albanian phrasebook and met owner of the shop who spoke Russian and stayed there having tea and chatting with him in Russian for around 2 hours. He told me a lot of things about Albania and gave some information about travelling around.
There is big brand-new cathedral in the center. Its looks very posh. It impressed me a lot, one of the best cathedrals I ever been. Recently Pope visited Albania and it was big celebration over here.
The pyramid of former dictator of Albania looks miserable and ugly and in bad shape and its located in the center of the city.
Also at the backyard of some government buildings in the center seen demolished statues of former soviet dictators - Stalin and Lenin.
Then in the night met some guys in the hostel, had some drinks with them and places some game with ping-pong ball. It was one guy from Australia who said he visited already 97 countries and another guy from Alaska and some local Albanian guys. That was some fun. Went to sleep bit late.
On a third day (04.10.) woke up for the breakfast which was good with bread with fried eggs and juice and went to the stop for the bus to Berat. Then took a bus to Berat and arrived there after 3 hours or so.
Then took a taxi with some other guys to the center and then walked to the hostel, got there quite fast. Hostel was nice with nice rooms in old house in old part of the town and the girl working there was so nice and pleasant, so I spent a lot of time talking with her. She is French and working and living here with her American boyfriend and she is really funny. Also met in the hostel some other interesting guys, like one Israeli man travelling around the world and some guy from Albania.
After checking in the hostel went to see the town which is very nice with castle on top of the hill with people living there and well preserved.
There is also big church in the town and center is rapidly refurbishing and will looks nice when its done. Also walked on a other side of the town where I stayed and visited some church there as well and then went to eat something. There is big newly built posh University building, which looks amazing.
Then at night had a chat with guys at hostel.
On the 4 day (05.10.) after having some breakfast took a 8.00 mini-bus to Gjirokastra. Israeli man gave me a lift to the bus station on his way to Tirana. Then in the bus met 6 American senior tourists travelling around the Balkans. Had some fun, then stopped for a lunch on a middle of the road. After 4 hours in the bus by not really good roads arrived in Gjorokastra.
And it was strong rain, we went to the cafe nearby to wait for the rain to stop, had some coffee there and than took a taxi for the hotel which American guy Ronald Gole who got off here reserved. Hotel was nice and for 15 euro he agreed for me to stay there. Hotel situated on a top of the hill on a foothills of the castle and called ''Gjirokaster Hotel''.
The rain was continuing for all day until around 7 p.m., so we couldn't wait and got umbrella and went to the town to check for buses.
Then had some lunch and checked hotel I found on internet and it's even cheaper, its 7,50 euro per night. Then at night typed dairy about trip for last 4 days.
On 5 day (06.10) it was rainy again almost all day, only stopped before the night. Had breakfast in the morning in the hotel. We went to eat afternoon and then after rain stopped walked to the castle and took few pictures.
Got baklava, lemon and rakia and had it in the room. Ronald offered me stay for 10 Euro if he will use my laptop for internet, I agreed and stayed here for another night.
On 6 day (07.10) at the morning left Gjirokastra Hotel and moved to Sopoti Hotel, walked with Ron to the bus station, then checked about buses to Ioninna and Korça. One nice girl from the agency selling tickets spoke English and did help me a lot to find out about tickets and schedule.
Then came back to the hotel, got wet a bit, took shower, had some rakia with lemon and baklava and had nap for a bit, then it became sunny finally and I went to walk around the town, came to another agency about tickets and found that there is bus to Trikala, which is next to the Meteora for 20 euro at 7.30 a.m. Was thinking about going to Meteora instead of going just to Ioannina next day and Korça day after. So decided to go to Saranda and Butrint next day and Trikala(for Meteora) day after.
On 7 day (08.10) the weather was finally sunny after 3 continuous rainy days. It was foggy in the morning and on a way to the bus stop I decided not to go to Saranda and Butrint and to go to Ioannina and Korça next day. So, I took bus from Gjirokaster at 7 a.m. to the border to Kakovie and then crossed by foot and from there another Greek bus to Ioannina. Then when came back took a taxi for 5 Euro with some rude taxi driver who sticked to me as soon as I crossed the border, offering me ride to the town for 15, then 10, then 8 and at the end for 5 Euro, because there is no more local bus, only long distance buses, but they don't take anybody without the ticket. And then on a way there he offered me many times ride to my hotel for another 3 Euro which I didn't need at all, I was so sick of him. He even asked me show him my passport because he told me that maybe I'm from Syria or so. At the end he was begging for extra 200 Leke, I gave him 100 and was happy I was back to the town.
On 8 day (09.10) in the morning at 7.00 a.m. took a mini-bus(furgon) to Korça. Price for the ticket was 1300 Leke. There were no free seats, so I had to stand all 5,5 hours trip. The road was bad and it was passing along the cliffs with many serpentines and without any barriers, and it was very foggy at some parts of the road that we barely could see a few meters ahead.
But the scenery was stunning with some high mountains, gorges, valleys and remote villages passing by. The road at some parts was along the Greek border, I even got Greek mobile roaming there. We made couple stops, one for breakfast, where I had local delicious soup with meat.
At the end around 12.30 we arrived to Korça, which is big city with around 200,000 people. The streets around bus station were torn down and it was a big mess, so just walked for my bus to Pogradec. Then took some furgon for 200 Leke and came to Pogradec on Ohrid Lake.
The town looks different from other Albanian towns, its more like resort and very bright. Then walked all the way to the border with Macedonia, it took me around 2 hours, the weather was nice and I had a nice time.
On a way there finally saw couple bunkers near the road, but they where in bad shape. Had some raw corn from the field which was delicious.
Then arrived to the village of Tushemisht which have many shops and restaurants and welcoming guests with a big board. Had some snacks there before proceeding to the customs.
Then crossed the border, Albanian officer was very friendly and checked me without stamping my passport, but I asked to put a stamp and he was happy to do it.
In total had a nice time in Albania, and its one of the most interesting and not expensive country in the Balkans. Country developing fast, everyone have a Mercedes car(old or new), still a lot of garbage, nobody utilize. Language is difficult to understand, for whole time I just learned few words. Country is not that much Muslim as Kosovo and I saw many Christian cathedrals and churches and been told that marriages between different religions not a problem.
VIDEO FROM ALBANIA (2014)[ENG SUBS]
Click to viewSo during my second visit in September 2017 with Andriy Melnychenko and Vasyl Goida after Montenegro and unsuccessful attempt to enter Kosovo we reached Albania at Vermosh - Guci checkpoint. Didn’t see any welcome signs on Albanian side.
At the beginning there was bad road with some random cows along, but soon we enjoyed newly built excellent road thru Prokletiye Mountains.
It was so nice ride. Traditionally seen some bunkers in the village along the road.
Drove all the way to Shkoder where we stayed in some roadside motel in the room for 15 Euro for 3 of us. Weather changed, it became much warmer.
Next day (16.09) in the morning after having coffee in the motel bar we came to the Skadar Lake. Got some pictures and arrived at the center to buy some souvenirs and get some local money for collection.
Got magnet and local coins. Then moved on the way to Tirana and stopped on the way to wash our car.
Then continued thru Elbasan and reached border with Macedonia at border crossing Qafë Thanë - Kjafasan (Ќафасан) where our car was sent to check. Then man was asking for some money for the coffee. Vasyl gave him 4 euro.
Mar 2021