Exploring Albania: Our First Month of Adventure

Durres: A Hectic Welcome

Our Albanian escapade began with a ferry ride from Bari to Durres. Arriving in the city, we found ourselves navigating without data basically driving blind. Our first mission was to secure a SIM card, which led us into a chaotic situation. We got hopelessly stuck in a narrow street, causing a traffic jam of epic proportions. To our surprise, locals handed us some buttermilk, briefly quieting the honking horns and adding a quirky touch to our arrival.

After finally getting our SIM cards, we were hit with a ten euro parking fee unexpected, given we thought parking was free. To cap it off, we drove the wrong way out of town, ending up off road for a while. Our first day in Albania was a mishap marathon, but it set the tone for a trip full of unexpected twists and turns.

Refreshing Detours

To recover from the chaotic start, we headed to a nearby beach to regroup. A refreshing swim and a good night's sleep had us ready for the next leg of our journey. We spotted a river on the map and decided to follow it, hoping for some fun and surprises. Along the way, we got a bit ripped off ten euros for twelve bottles of water but we also discovered fantastic parking spots along the Vjosa River towards Permet. The cold water was a welcome relief as early June temperatures began to rise. Our campsites were frequently interrupted by a friendly shepherd and his flock of goats. One memorable moment involved Darian sunbathing in minimal attire, much to the shepherd's delight.

Sarande and Ksamil: Beachside Bliss

On our way to Sarande, we made a stop at the Blue Eye, a stunning natural spring that made for a perfect day trip. In Sarande, we stayed at a castle for two days, giving us a much needed break from the scorching heat. We then moved to Ksamil for a beachside retreat. During a morning run, I found a great camping spot with a few other campers, but by the time we moved there, most had vanished.

After a few hours and a trip into town for some supplies (beer), Darian suggested we throw a party. As we were considering our options, two English guys approached us. We joined them and their friends for a lively evening of English style drinking, which ended with our first hangover in Albania and a very hot van the next day.

Qeparo: A Hidden Gem

Once we recovered from the hangover, we discovered Qeparo, a charming seaside town further up the coast where the mountains meet the crystal clear waters. We set up camp in a lovely spot and went for a swim. We accidentally parked in Andre’s spot he was prepping the area for the season and he graciously invited us for drinks that evening. Andre and his friends offered us work in exchange for a place to stay, showers, and meals. We ended up staying in Qeparo for just over a week, where we learned to shop and cook Albanian style and gained valuable insights into local culture. It became one of our favorite spots, and we returned later in July. Bit of a bummer, though we managed to lose the paddle board here. Unaware of the high winds that came in the evening, we didn’t secure it properly. Due to its geographical location, if anyone was in Corfu around the beginning of June and has seen an orange paddleboard floating around, please get in touch.

Porto Palermo and Mountain Mishaps

As we drove north from Qeparo, we made a scenic stop at Porto Palermo. The stunning views and the impressive fort provided the perfect backdrop for some great photos. Continuing our journey, we traversed the mountains since the tunnel between Himare and Vlora was still under construction. Unfortunately, we encountered braking problems and had to stop at a garage. There, we met Ben, a German traveler facing similar issues. We exchanged contact details and made plans to meet up later.

Festival Fun and Farewell

We headed north towards Tirana for the Lockdown Festival. We had heard about the festival from our Australian friends and planned to meet them in the Dajti Mountains. We stayed at Helena Park the night before, where we met Jeremy and his girlfriend, Sandra, as they were heading to the festival anyway. We invited them to join us in the mountains. Margaux and Swan, who we met in Puglia, also joined us in the mountains.

The festival was a blast four vans, seven people, one dog, and a weekend of music and dancing in the mountains. We even met the festival organizers, who bought us drinks and shared stories. After the festival ended, we stayed in the mountains for a week, except for the Australians who had to head to Serbia for another event. We spent our time enjoying each other's company, climbing Dajti Mountain, and coping with the increasingly hot weather.

Shkodër: A Sunset to Remember

Before heading north to Montenegro (more on that later), we made a stop in Shkodër. Remember Ben from the garage in Vlore? He joined us there for an unforgettable sunset over Shkodër Lake. The dramatic scene was perfect for a few beers and a lively card game. It was a fitting end to our first month in Albania a country full of surprises, beautiful landscapes, and memorable encounters.

Enjoy your travels and stay prepared for the quirks and charms of Albania!