Kat & Mat's big bike trip
Albania
8
Days
261 km
km ridden
12 Jun – 19
Dates
Albania was a close second after Croatia for our favourite country of the trip. We'd heard some dire stories about the roads and the drivers, and had no idea what to expect from the country as a whole, so we entered with a bit of trepidation.
As soon as we crossed over the border we noticed it didn't have the same European vibe as everywhere else we had been. Albania was... different. People nod their heads no and shake them to mean yes. There are mosques everywhere. The power and phone cabling in the street is out of control. There are no traffic regulations, you can seemingly do whatever you like as long as you don't hurt anyone. But it was fun and everyone is super friendly!
After Croatia and Montenegro it was exciting to see fruit and veg sellers everywhere: along the highway, on the streets in city centres, outside supermarkets (which don't sell their own fruit and veg). A lot of older women wear white scarves over their heads, sometimes pinched into a bonnet. A minority of motorcyclists wear helmets (although apparently it's mandatory). They love German cars - most of the vehicles we saw were Mercedes, VW, Audi and some top end Porsches. We also saw lots of British number plates; our transfer driver told us they were visiting from Britain (his family who live in south London have made the journey before) but it could be a kudos thing. Sooo many car washes (lavazh).
One third of the population has left since the fall of Communism and the majority of the remaining 2.4 million live in Tirana, which has sprawling and unplanned slum neighbourhoods next to some crazy modern high-rises. The language is pretty much an isolate, but they've absorbed lots of English and Italian words. The currency is Lek and many small sellers will only accept cash, but lots accept Euro as an alternative. We've received more warmth, hospitality and kindness than in any other country so far.
There are So0mbras! We never got to the bottom of why.
The best part was staying in so many lovely family-run places where people were falling over themselves to help us, and we left with a lot of love for Albania.
As soon as we crossed over the border we noticed it didn't have the same European vibe as everywhere else we had been. Albania was... different. People nod their heads no and shake them to mean yes. There are mosques everywhere. The power and phone cabling in the street is out of control. There are no traffic regulations, you can seemingly do whatever you like as long as you don't hurt anyone. But it was fun and everyone is super friendly!
After Croatia and Montenegro it was exciting to see fruit and veg sellers everywhere: along the highway, on the streets in city centres, outside supermarkets (which don't sell their own fruit and veg). A lot of older women wear white scarves over their heads, sometimes pinched into a bonnet. A minority of motorcyclists wear helmets (although apparently it's mandatory). They love German cars - most of the vehicles we saw were Mercedes, VW, Audi and some top end Porsches. We also saw lots of British number plates; our transfer driver told us they were visiting from Britain (his family who live in south London have made the journey before) but it could be a kudos thing. Sooo many car washes (lavazh).
One third of the population has left since the fall of Communism and the majority of the remaining 2.4 million live in Tirana, which has sprawling and unplanned slum neighbourhoods next to some crazy modern high-rises. The language is pretty much an isolate, but they've absorbed lots of English and Italian words. The currency is Lek and many small sellers will only accept cash, but lots accept Euro as an alternative. We've received more warmth, hospitality and kindness than in any other country so far.
There are So0mbras! We never got to the bottom of why.
The best part was staying in so many lovely family-run places where people were falling over themselves to help us, and we left with a lot of love for Albania.