2 Travel adventures Albania

A Road Trip Through Europe

8 juni - 7 juli 2018 (30 days)

In the late afternoon, we drive to Gjirokastër. We don’t need to follow the coastal road but still have to cross a mountain range. On the other side, dark clouds hang. By now, we are used to the fact that every afternoon ends with a heavy thunderstorm, and today is no exception. As we enter Gjirokastër, a downpour breaks loose. The streets flood again, and water from oncoming cars splashes against our windscreen, which the wipers work hard to clear. In the rain, we drive into the old town. The road climbs steeply between the old houses. We wander through the old city, where all streets either climb or descend sharply. We weave through the alleyways, which at this hour are quiet. When we are in a particularly steep street, an old woman gestures from her balcony for us to keep walking—she’s warning us more rain is coming, we understand.

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Albania

Hotspring Benja

The natural water spring at Benja

Flag of Albania

Young people posing with the national flag

Lake Shkoder

Camping on the shore of Lake Shkoder in Albania

Group selfie

A selfie at the Citadel of Berat

From Amsterdam to Tokyo

1 mei 2016 - 8 augustus 2016 (100 days)

The navigation system leads us through a cart track in the city towards the castle. We decide not to follow that route. We have better access from the other side. The final stretch is quite steep. In low gear, we drive up to the entrance. The origins of the fortress date back to around the turn of the era, but the current shape of Rozafa Fortress was established in the fifteenth century. In 1912, the fortress played a key role in the battle between Montenegro and the Turks. We enter at the same time as a large group of Albanian youth—I assume a school class. They seem more interested in taking selfies than in the fortress itself. From the old tower, there's a beautiful view of Shkodër. When I return to the exit, the man I bought my ticket from calls me back. He returns three tickets and one euro. I don't quite understand the explanation.

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