Albania

Early in the morning we left our hotel in Ohrid for Albania, where in the afternoon we had to take the ferry back to Italy. Given the trend of the previous day, we skipped the scheduled visit to some Orthodox monasteries that were located on the shore of the lake, for fear that some obstacle on the border between Macedonia and Albania would cause us to waste too much time. In the end there were no problems. The road was winding, almost mountainous, but the nature was beautiful. The speed of the bus was very low and this allowed us to enjoy the green landscape in peace.

Many of us found ourselves in Albania for the first time and the first landscapes we saw in Albania from the bus were a bit special: lots of bunkers, both in the area of the border with Macedonia, but also in the hinterland and lots of waste scattered around. in the countries we have passed, beside the road and in the fields. Another curiosity, which was often seen, was a kind of car washer. Given the numerous streams, the inhabitants have formed small artificial lakes from which they carried the tube a few meters below; everything was sloping. So the water was under pressure and the rubber hoses were used to wash the cars.

First contact with Albania Village in the valley The green landscape dominates the mountainous area Pebble riverbed

We stopped for lunch in the town of Elbasan. The outskirts of the city are very ugly, with old and poorly maintained houses, but towards the city center the situation has definitely improved: there are new buildings, renovated ones and there are many works in progress to refurbish the city. But the restaurant gave us a nice surprise: it is located inside an old wall, surrounded by greenery, with many palm trees. The food was very good and we took the opportunity to thank our driver Benito for his safe driving and the patience with which he has always put up with us. An envelope with a piece of paper with thanks and our signatures and also a large tip: you could see from his face that he was happy.

Streets of Elbasana Italian walkers After lunch we had a little celebration A restaurant where we enjoy the food A group portrait A small resident of the city

The journey continued to Durres and, before arriving there, we also passed through the streets of Tirana. At one point we entered a street that had golden electrical cables so low that the bus had to go back. Imagine this maneuver, given the size of the bus and the very narrow street with many parked cars. The departure time of the ferry had approached, the weather was rainy and so we were satisfied only with a panoramic tour of the city. There were some very colorful buildings: it was the fastest way for the Albanians, after the fall of the regime, to introduce new things into daily life. There are also many construction sites for new buildings and roads, a sign that Albania is changing fast and moving towards a Western lifestyle.

Here is a photo taken by our ship before departure from the port of Durres. Very, very picturesque, but probably, in a few years, entering the general current of globalization, this panorama will change a lot, like so many other things we have seen on this trip. One day perhaps we will be sorry that certain things and certain views have disappeared.

Look at the port of Durres

South Balkan

Meteore

Thessaloniki

Mount Athos

Rila

Ohrid

Albania

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