Oct 17, 2009 - Sarande, Albania

Located on the coast very near to the Greek island of Corfu, Sarande is to be our last stop in Albania before we go via ferry to Greece. ... Rather than take a furgon for the journey from Berat to Sarande, we bought tickets on a scheduled bus for the trip. ... 5 hours for a journey of only 115 km (72 miles)! We arrived in Sarande none-the-worse for wear and quickly checked into a hotel overlooking the ocean; as with our other hotels, we were pleasantly surprised by the price and spaciousness. ...

Oct 16, 2009 - Berat, Albania

As we approached Berat in the heart of Albania, Mt. ... We had had a multitude of traveling companions by the time we reached Berat, all being locals and all but two men. ... Berat is distinguished by the uniformity of its houses. ... Berat is also home to the largest citadel (some call it a fortress) we have visited thus far. ...

Oct 14, 2009 - Tirane, Albania

We have discovered that Albania is where old Mercedes come to die.We have discovered that Albania is where old Mercedes come to die....

Apr 16, 2009 - Tirana-Shkoder

This morning we were up at the crack of dawn (or just before), collected our bags and had a brisk 20 min walk down to the area that that the mini buses to Shkoder leave. ... The distance to Shkoder ia about 100kms and the trip takes about 90mins. ... We were pretty early and it took about 30mins for the bus to fill and we were away.This morning we were up at the crack of dawn (or just before), collected our bags and had a brisk 20 min walk down to the area that that the mini buses to Shkoder leave. ... The distance to Shkoder ia about 100kms and the trip takes about 90mins. ... We were pretty early and it took about 30mins for the bus to fill and we were away....

Apr 13, 2009 - Skopje to Tirana

What a night! Bus departed pretty well on time at 7:00pm last night. We arrived in Tirana at 5:00am. ... Here they are: "From Skenderbeg square follow the street the horse and rider are facing between the brilliant mosaic fronted National History Museum (on left) and Tirana International hotel (on right, probably Tirana's tallest building) keep to the right side of the street and take the first right at the back of the Tirana International Hotel where the small electricity station is. ... Follow this unsealed road turning left at the end at the brand new apartment building.What a night! Bus departed pretty well on time at 7:00pm last night. We arrived in Tirana at 5:00am. ... Here they are: "From Skenderbeg square follow the street the horse and rider are facing between the brilliant mosaic fronted National History Museum (on left) and Tirana International hotel (on right, probably Tirana's tallest building) keep to the right side of the street and take the first right at the back of the Tirana International Hotel where the small electricity station is. ... Follow this unsealed road turning left at the end at the brand new apartment building....

Mar 7, 2009 - Warding off the evil eye in Tirana

3/7/09 Tirana wears its history on its sleeve. ... The main square is dominated by the national museum, with a huge revolutionary painting showing brave soldiers in battle.3/7/09 Tirana wears its history on its sleeve. ... The main square is dominated by the national museum, with a huge revolutionary painting showing brave soldiers in battle....

Mar 6, 2009 - Durres, the Albanian link between west and east

3/8/09 Back in Roman times, the road from Durres (the other city awarded independent state status from Julius Cesar) connected with the road from Apollonia to become the Via Egnatia, a major trade route linking the Roman empire to the “Near East” (e. ... g.3/8/09 Back in Roman times, the road from Durres (the other city awarded independent state status from Julius Cesar) connected with the road from Apollonia to become the Via Egnatia, a major trade route linking the Roman empire to the “Near East” (e. ... g....

Mar 5, 2009 - Ill-fated Apollolia trip

3/6/09 Oh, ill-fated Apollonia. ... In Roman times, Apollonia and Durres were two major towns given independent city-state status by none other than Julius Ceasar himself. ... I was so excited about my experience in Butrint I decided that Apollonia couldn’t be missed. ... The gods just didn’t want me to see Apollonia. ...

Mar 4, 2009 - Bus to Berat

Our challenge was that we wanted to take the coastal route northbound (which is a very picturesque but unpopular route through a national park), see Apollonia on the coast, and then cut over to Berat. ... After making the rounds of travel agencies, the general consensus was that the bus for Berat left at 8:00 the next day. ... Around 7:30 the next day, we began asking buses, taxis, anyone we could get to answer us in English or Spanish (many speak Italian) where exactly the bus stopped for Berat. ... We eventually found someone who called us a taxi and we spent too much for a trip a few blocks away where in fact, a bus was sitting with a sign saying “Berat. ... ” Success! Fortunately, Berat was worth every effort to get there. ...

Feb 28, 2009 - Birthplace of Albania's Communist Dictator

2/28/09 As the Butrint history shows, many foreigners have tried to get their hands on Albania. Now that’s putting your life in your work! On the bus ride out to Gjirokaster (Hoxha’s birthplace), we passed hundreds of these bunkers tucked under snowcapped mountains like Rosie’s rivets. ... The town of Gjirokaster itself, the older part anyway, is quite beautiful, filled with slate stone houses, cobblestone streets, and topped with a castle and fortress originally designed to keep an eye out for Ottoman invaders. ... The castle is filled with old artillery and pictures of past world wars, involving women and children fighters as well.2/28/09 As the Butrint history shows, many foreigners have tried to get their hands on Albania. Now that’s putting your life in your work! On the bus ride out to Gjirokaster (Hoxha’s birthplace), we passed hundreds of these bunkers tucked under snowcapped mountains like Rosie’s rivets. ... The town of Gjirokaster itself, the older part anyway, is quite beautiful, filled with slate stone houses, cobblestone streets, and topped with a castle and fortress originally designed to keep an eye out for Ottoman invaders. ... The castle is filled with old artillery and pictures of past world wars, involving women and children fighters as well....

Feb 27, 2009 - Butrint: World History in a Nutshell

2/27/09 Based on the recommendation of several folks, we took a bus to the nearby town of Butrint the following day. ... So, based on Greek mythology, Butrint was founded by exiles fleeing the fall of Troy (which is another whole interesting Greek story in itself), and it is actually mentioned in The Aeneid, Vigil’s epic poem. ... The Romans then took over the city; Julius Caesar and Augustus founded a colony at Butrint after defeating Anthony and Cleopatra nearby in 31 BC. ... Sure enough, the biggest Baptistery with a beautiful mosaic exists at Butrint from this period. ... In 1081, the Normans took over Butrint, then the Venetians, and it pretty much fell to ruin until the 1800s when the Ottomans (aka the Turks with their Islam faith) took over, more out of interest for the trade and pastures, and built another castle to oversee this route. ...

Feb 26, 2009 - Into the Stamp Catacombs of Albania

2/26/09 Sadly saying goodbye to our beloved Greece, we raced to board a ferry for the port town of Saranda, Albania, under 20 km from the island of Corfu.2/26/09 Sadly saying goodbye to our beloved Greece, we raced to board a ferry for the port town of Saranda, Albania, under 20 km from the island of Corfu....