Today’s decision – down the coast or backtrack a bit and hit the hills up to Lake Ohrid, then into Greece and to Meteora, but there’s no rest and planning time in that route.
At the last minute, I decided to follow the coast and have some time off in Sarandë. It’s mainly flat except for a 900m peak in the middle (note from future self – John, you’re deluded. It’s ridiculously hilly).
There were plenty of friendly people all day. One guy gave me directions in Albanian, never understood a word. He kept apologising saying something like Albanian-ese. I thought he was talking about the Australian PM.
Enduring images today (I just wish I could record what I see 😁) :
1. Two adults in a car – Father and son, with the 5 year old grandson sitting on the drivers lap holding the steering wheel
2. Donkey pulling the cart slowly, with an old guy pulling the donkey
3. Goats crossing the road with smiling waving goat herders
4. Grandma and grand-daughter standing on the verandah waving
5. Stopping to talk to locals as I pass by cafes
6. Being offered oranges from the roadside as I whizzed by. Too late, I was gone
7. Cruising into the centre of Vlorë on the main four lane divided road and being confronted by a dozen goats on the edge of the road.
Ramadan isn’t the issue I thought initially with only 60% of the population being Muslim. I still feel self conscious when I’m eating during the day though.
Today wasn’t memorable except for all of the friendly people along the way. However, Vlorë looks like a renovators delight resort town. The beach is grey sand and buildings near it aren’t in a good way but there are tourists and holiday makers. It’s also school holidays here.
Dinner was at a lovely family run restaurant. I was their only customer though. I hope things pick up for them as the season progresses.
