Another beautifully clear day was waiting for me to wake up in Mangaleme Hotel and Restaurant Berat (Albania).
Mangaleme Hotel and Restaurant Berat (Albania).
Mangaleme Hotel and Restaurant Berat (Albania).
I had decided to stay another day and would need to change rooms after some other guests had checked out. After finishing breakfast I set-up near the WiFi signal and set about finalising information for an update to this website. During the process I had a chance to have a quick chat with Mark and Martin who were interested in my website and, in turn, was interested in theirs.
Mark and Martin have been riding together for a while and had previously completed a 'Round the World' together. (You can find their websites here: Mark = and Martin = (to come soon))
After my weskit update had finalised I walked the short distance down into the main part of Berat to see what the shops, streets and buildings looked like. There are some very obvious contrasts between some houses that appear relatively modern, with security access and cameras, satellite dishes and high fences and their neighbouring much more run-down homes.
Some of the Berat homes.
Berat is also typical of many of the older towns I have travelled through so far with narrow lanes and steep steps connecting various sections of the township and a bustling small shopping district with small shops and several stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
After a relatively short walk around town I returned to the hotel for lunch and more website work.
The hotel had a small collection of historical literature.
As recommended by previous guests I had decided to wait until the late afternoon for the temperature to drop before going up to visit Berat Castle. The walk up is quite steep and rather slippery on the smooth cobble stones. Once at the gates there is a small fee to pay to enter, which is a little unusual considering there are many residents inside the walls.
Berat Castle dates from the 13th C and is undergoing restoration works funded by UNESCO.
Berat Castle
Works are not yet complete…or safe.
Great views from the castle - old.
Great views from the castle - new University building.
Minaret within the castle walls.
Wedding photographs taking place.
Byzantine Church
One of the local boys who, with his father/grandfather, were grazing a couple of cows within the grounds, asked me about where I was from and my travels. When I told him I was doing a website he requested me to take a picture of the sign for the cafe and publish it on my website…..
So if you are in Berat, and go to the castle, try out the bar - cafe up near the top and you can tell me how it was.
On the internet as requested - Bar Kafe SARAJET.
The old man led the cows away.
More wedding photos.
After finishing my tour of the castle ruins I continued within the castle walls through the residential streets and lanes. Much work is being done to lay new stones throughout the entire site and in some places it is preventing tourists access.
This lady had a little shop inside her courtyard and wanted to sell me her woollen wares and also fresh fruit, vegetables and honey. I settled for a beer and watched her spin her yarn.
She was happy for me to take a photo.
Or two.
It was great to take a breather while she spun the yarn serving the occasional customer and the kids hung over the fence across the lane practicing a little English.
As I exited the castle ruins a fire burned in the
valley adding to the pollution in the Albanian sky.
Back at Mangaleme Hotel and Restaurant it was time for dinner. I joined Mark and Martin as they were finishing up their dinners. We talked for a while over my dinner before the Euro 2012 game between Germany and Italy came on.
It was a relaxed end to the not particularly strenuous day.