Valbona, epic hike part 1

Over three days, we explored the remote Albanian north, using a wide range of transportation, including a 9km hike over a mountain pass.

We began the day very early, to catch our minibus. Leaving the campervan at our campsite, we quickly realized we didn't have enough time to make it to the departure point. Aaron inquired about a taxi at a local cafe, and one of the regulars offered to give us a ride for €10 (way too much but we were desperate). The other passengers were his chickens that would be sold later that day!

We travelled by minibus in style, with red mood lighting and rocking Albanian pop, which has a strong middle-eastern influence. The bus parked and our driver walked us through a tunnel that led to a ferry terminal. There was very little space at the terminal! And, they overpacked the boat :-|

The ferry took us 2.5 hours along a narrow river with towering mountains on either side. We then took one more minibus to a small village named Valbona. Our guest house was very quaint and with a stunning view. We ate family style meals with lots of fresh Albanian country food.

With little to do in town, and since we packed very light for the hike, we wandered the main strip. The boys petted the cows we met (maybe the fourth time this trip?) and took selfies with them.

We also came across a series of concrete bunkers, a leftover from the Hoxha regime. They are apparently a ubiquitous sight in Albania, with an average of 5.7 bunkers for every square km. A huge investment. Hoxha was hostile towards the country's immediate neighbours, and fearful of invasion. Apparently citizens were trained from the age of 12 to station themselves in the nearest bunker to repel invaders. Now the use of these bunkers range from abandoned to museums.

For many years, Albania was virtually cut off from the outside world. The dictator ruled by fear and violence. When communism fell in 1990, Albania opened its borders to foreigners. There's lots of tourism development here, and poverty. It's a country in transition.Meer informatie