My mate Gav's Birthday - 24th June
Another early morning wake-up call by the sunshine at Elena's Beach Camping.
Sun yet to rise above the nearby hill.
I had breakfast and made my way through the processes and procedures to re-pack and re-load everything I have (since I was camping and had done my washing). By now I was looking forward to getting into Albania to see what you might have heard is true or not...
Loaded and ready to find Albania
On my way I followed the map and GPS in the 'general direction' of where I wanted and needed to go. I followed the roads up the coast and missed the poorly, or even unmarked, turn off. So I ended up at a military check-point with no way forward. Back again hoping the map and/or GPS would show something up if I tried again...
My last look at a Greek beach - I went past it twice, or maybe three times.
After following the GPS up into the hills and someone's farmyard I rode back into the outskirts of Sagiada and asked where to go. I was directed back again to the poorly/unmarked road…
The border crossing was quick and easy.
After I was through the border I stopped for a cool drink and a toasted ham and cheese sandwich - from what I had heard the roads ahead could be a long and slow adventure.
The road looked good here.
Although the GPS wasn't much use - no roads there…..?
I missed the first turn-off to Butrint…..surely it wasn't through the farms there…?...when I got my next chance it was a dirt track off the side of the main road over the hill...
As warned - no bitumen. Some potholes and gravel will do.
It wasn't too far before the road was bitumen again, thankfully. Although there were several herds of animals being moved and…..
Someone needed to pump some water across the road.
I had put the historical ruins of Butrint on my list to achieve on the way through to Sarande. To get there a small river crossing is made by the punt which cost 2Euro - I had to break a 10 or 20 Euro on a Coke nearby which they weren't incredibly happy about.
Punt riding to Butrint.
After parking and changing out of the 'hot suit' into the cool zip-offs I was ready to see what the ruins had to offer.
Butrint is the ruins of an ancient Greek, then Roman, city from around the 10thC BC. The ruins are relatively recently discovered and unearthed, with works continuing to this day to discover and understand the extent of the ruins and their significance.
Lion's Gate - Butrint
Earliest remaining intact wall section.
Photo series - Me at the church.
Unsurprisingly there was a theatre - surprisingly the stage was flooded.
I didn't mind - I enjoyed the show.
You would have too.
After feeling as though I had seen enough of Butrint it was time to make a move towards Sarande……
I couldn't believe the roads - so I took a photo….
A short distance along the road things changed...
I couldn't believe the roads - so I took a photo….
Throughout the short ride from Butrint to Sarande the roads changed from pure, fresh black-top bitumen to gravel road base, to potholed bitumen, potholed gravel, potholed bitumen and gravel together and potholed bitumen and gravel with clumps of concrete. I was glad to find a hotel.
After riding around Sarande for a little while I decided I would head for the larger hotel signs in the hope that bed, breakfast, parking, food and WiFi were all available in the one place…
I found Grand Hotel Sarande that promised it all…..
I was glad to be watching the sunset with a beer.
Turned out the WiFi wasn't actually working despite their promises and the air-conditioning dripping on the floor was a bonus.
The view was good from the balcony.
I would see what could be sorted out the next day….I was in Albania.
(I hope the pictures tell the story - I decided to try a 'picture is worth a 1000 words' for this update.)