29 May 2022
Bacon for breakfast(!)….& we were off for another relatively leisurely day.
We clung to the coast (& the main road)…for the first 20 kms or so…
….and were stopped by a tunnel. Pitch black. Curved and 1.38 km long. So we sought an alternative route to no avail…when a very relaxed cyclist emerged!! So…we thought…we just have to go for it…when we realised that we had both misread the length! Only 138 metres!! So we listed for a good break in the traffic and were out the other end before we knew it!!
After a water-stop at Bar…we found a nice alternative route which took us almost the whole way to the Albanian border. Quiet……. apart from the presidential cavalcade we came across…six limos…with flags and police escort at both ends!! (We saw one in Perast…as well!)
As we approached the border…the forecast rain looked imminent….
…but it held off through the border, as we rode into Albania. The change was noticeable immediately. Much less prosperous….
But we did get quite wet when we were barely 5km from our destination…and sheltered for a bit…..
….next to this!!
Not quite sure what it is…but somehow symptomatic of the part modern partial dereliction we have seen.
Over the river which flows out of the huge Shkodra Lake…and we arrived into Shkoder…possibly the most visited city in Albania. (Iain a bit hangry by the time we arrived…or maybe grumpy bum…as a result of the saddle pain….! Actually…..he’s doing well!!)
So…first impessions? Very friendly people! Very welcoming. Somehow much more so than the Balkan countries so far….very possibly due to the relatively short period since Albania was a closed country. But also Albania is very different…with a completely different and unique language. (…have been happily using Hvalla for thank you through four countries….but now it is….”faleminderit”…..a bit of a tongue twister!!
70% muslim, but evidently not overly “strict”….and a country which has a long way to go in terms of economic development. By far the cheapest country we have visited.
But… it has a great vibe!!
Lots of stray dogs…….but altogether it feels good…and yes…a complete (& pleasant?) change from the slavic countries of recent weeks! First impressions of course…so we’ll see how they hold up!
Anyway…some photos of Shkroder….lots of bikes here (& interestingly none locked up) and the game in the park…was dominos…tiny metal ones!)
Great to hear that the transfer from Martin to Iain went well! I hope that Martin’s return to Blighty went smoothly. Albania is already looking very interesting in your photos ! I hope that Beano’s bum is getting accustomed to the bike seat – he is looking in good form on the bike!