Caffeine Therapy

It's already been a week and I've just started exploring Albania. And Theth – I could have stayed much longer. Just in that one spot, in the middle of the river, in the solitude of the mountains. I'm getting the feeling this trip will just be a taste of Albania, a first look to get the lay of the land before coming back for a much longer time.

The next stop on my list is far in the south of the country. I'm not keen on cities right now and many have told me to avoid the overrated coast. On the other hand, just about everyone raves about the canyons and I want to see them.

So, as little as I want to sit behind the wheel after nearly 2000 km, today is a day for putting miles on the tires. Actually, less miles than you'd expect for seven hours. Progress is slow in Albania, most roads are limited to 80 km/h, and for good reasons (aside from the aforementioned lack of general driving skills, the condition of the roads is rather rustic). Only north of Tirana, there's a stretch of new highway with a speed limit of 130 km/h.

It's hot. The air conditioning is either too cold, too drafty or not cold enough. My camping battery has stopped charging once more and I have a nagging headache. Caffeine withdrawal? Nearly five hours in, I pull out at a rest stop, take an aspirin and drink a cappuccino.

As I roll further south, I start feeling better. Was it the pill or the coffee? I don't care, medication either way.Read more