Back to the beach

OFor my last few days I'm heading back to the beach. As I leave the hostel the papa offers to take me to the station. The family have been so kind to me here and considering my lack of language our connection has been so special. The bus is at 10am but at 10:10 we are still at the station touting for customers. The bus takes just over 1.5 hours and when I get off at the bus station they want 15 euros to take me to the hostel. I review my options and walk 2 minutes and jump on a local bus for 40 p the conductor comes round and takes my money but a few stopa later another guy gets on to check I have a ticket. I have definitely stepped onto a much more touristy zone. The hotels are huge and the tic tac souvenir shops are everywhere . Durres is also a big shipping port and we drive past the dock area. The bus comes to an abrupt stop and every one gets off and a lady helps me by telling me to wait here and catch another bus to currilla beach. I see the bus drive past me grab my bags and literally chase it down the street. Thank god it's only the next stop and I board the bus chuffing like a train. Only for the driver to get off and have a coffee break. On the bus there are an Italian couple and another lady and they are slagging off tourists andi can just about understand them with my Spanish so when I get off I say graci and prego . There faces could sink a ship. The hostel is just a 5 minute uphill walk and once again I have a room to myself. As much as I love this I miss being with people. Everything here is uphill and after taking refreshments I head for the beach. I have googled where there is a beach bar with sunbeds for rent and a 12 minute walk takes me to The shark beach bar I spend the money I would have spent on a taxi on grilled prawns and grab a sunbed. It's crazy because when I walk along the beach front there are many high end bars. I literally spend the whole day lying on the beach.Later in the evening a group of Italians take the beats next to me and the guy is on the phone saying he is not going to Norway again in the winter speaking fluent English. It's crazy because everyone here speaks Italian. It's like they have taken over or maybe it's because they are so close to Italy.There is a huge viewing platform here where people come to watch the sunset and I join before heading to the hostel for a quick shower. I'm heading down the promenade for dinner tonight. I still have quite a bit of leke left and I'm pushing the boat out. As I walk along the promenade I spot a place that's absolutely packed and it's Mexican so I head in. Wow the way they are churning people in and out is absolutely amazing . I order the fajitas as it's been a while. It's not quite the same as home but it's served on a sizzling platter that I manage to burn myself on ( no surprise there) after dinner I walk along the promenade that feels a bit like benidorm or Blackpool with multiple sellers selling flashing balloons and kids scooting up and down on electric bikes. I have to say this has been my least favourite place on the whole trip.. By 10 o'clock I'm tucked up in bed.Read more