While working on this website the previous night the owner of Dinasty Hotel had promised me a wonderful bottle of wine from his cellar before I departed. Although I was not rushing to leave the place, I was also not waiting for him to rise and present his gift. By about 11am I had loaded up the bike, paid the bill and done a tour of the lower level of Dinasty Hotel where there is a bar and massive dinning hall (old English theme). Part of the bar area was set up with white board, tables and chairs - apparently they use the space during the summer months for conferences and workshops…..during winter it is used for something a little different…...
Departing Dinasty Hotel, Tirana
Anyway, I was on my bike and leaving Tirana before the owner had risen after entertaining the local guests the previous night.
Departing Tirana's tree lined streets
It was a nice and quiet morning on the streets of Tirana so I stopped along the way for a couple of images I hadn't captured previously….
Some more colourful facades on the way out of town
Some more colourful facades on the way out of town.
From Albania's capital of Tirana I headed for the coast and the seaside town of Shengjin for lunch before crossing the border into Montenegro.
As I rode into Shengjin I found it very difficult too understand why this was a popular seaside location…the roads were dreadful and there was nothing to give the impression of an attractive seaside township that addressed the sea well….
I ended up riding through the back of most of the buildings, past the port and on to the old naval base where I was eagerly waved on despite having no idea why, or where, I would continue. Although I turned around on the rough gravel road many other people continued on in their BMW's, Range Rovers, Mercedes etc etc (there must have been something of interest further on).
On my way back into town I pulled in to where it seems locals are working to make old naval ships seaworthy again for private use….
Former navy ships seem to be available to the public
Back in the main part of Shengjin I made my way along one of the 'streets' to the beachfront….soon the road turned into massive dips and rises with loose sand and gravel and in some parts wet and slushy ground. I found somewhere to park on stable ground for lunch.
I was ushered up to the top level of the building by being asked to press "9" for Level 8….(it only became slightly clearer when leaving - they only had a couple of buttons one 9 for level 8 and one 6 for Ground Level…..?)
Only a small amount of English was spoken so once I had the menu I was able to order some pasta (very poorly cooked) and a Coke (universally understood).
From the heights of Level 6 or 8 or 9 I had quite a good view down over the beach which was packed.
Colourful spot by the sea - Shengjin
There were umbrellas and sun lounges lined up along the shore almost the entire length of the beach and most of the seat were taken. As a result there were hundreds of cars, umbrellas, sun lounges and people enjoying the beach…….while I sat in my motorcycle suit enjoying uncooked pasta and a Coke.
What the birds see.
Shengjin's relaxed and uncrowded beach……
After I had finished my lunch and failed to provide any useful criticism of the quality of the food I got on the bike to head for Shkoder. On the way out of town I thought I would see what the beach looked like as I rode through….
The road at the back of the beach is a dreadful mixture of mud, slush, rock, gravel, cars, shops, parking and mayhem. I am not sure if it is a one-way road or not. It seems as you get away from the centre of Shengjin's beach area it becomes a free-for-all to access the beach.
I was back on the road and heading for Shkoder where I hoped to organise a boat trip for the bike and I.
On the way into Shkoder I noticed a warning light on the display and that my headlight wasn't working properly….when I got close to a car in front of me it was obvious my headlight was gone. I knew this would be a little interesting to replace in Albania...
I rode around Shkoder a little before pulling in to the front of Hotel Colosseo to see if they had a room for me……nope.
I moved on to the Grand Hotel Europa……a step up from Hotel Colosseo and they had rooms available. I checked-in…..I decided not to check to see if Rozafa Hotel had rooms - they had been described as being like dungeons….
After checking in I tried a combination of English and iPad to describe and illustrate I needed a new light bulb for the headlight……I was directed down the street despite it being when all the shops were closed. I noticed a place along the way who I would return to, when open, since I could actually see headlight bulbs in through their window.
When I returned after the shops had re-opened I noticed Shkoder's version of Harry's Cafe de Wheels…...
Fisnik's Cafe de Wheels (probably not his real name)
Fisnik's Cafe de Wheels - perhaps a bullet hole….? (probably not his real name)
I decided against asking for a pie and peas and picked-up my replacement headlight bulb and headed back to the hotel to fit it.
Fitting the headlight bulb was a delicate and tight test of fingers and patience in the darkness of the hotel car park while having my fingers and hand cut-up within the confines behind the headlight fitting. After a couple of goes all was good with bright lights.
It was a fairly non-eventful evening in Shkoder after the headlight bulb had been replaced and I was happy to do a little work on this website before an early night.