28 July 2019
Ulicj - Albania / Shkodra - Kruja - Sari Saltik
BLUE line is the planned route
RED line is the actual route we drove
The border crossing at Sukobin from Montenegro to Albania after one hour queuing is very easy for us. The Albanian officer just sees the cover of our passports and waves us through. From a Belgian couple we heard, that it took them longer, because they had to pay 90eur for a 10 day car insurance, since their green insurance card doesn't cover Albania.
It's very hot at the front window, so the tablet is a bit shaded
At the parking after the border we are welcomed by dozens of beggars, mainly women, which occurs again in Shkoder on the bridge were cars are slowed down by a traffic jam, but within the country we didn't see any beggars anymore.
Different kinds of cars, but Mercedes are definitely the most favourite cars for the more well off Albanians and Off Road cars in the mountains.
Bizarre buildings
My "favourite" building
The first interesting castle we want to visit is Rozafa Castle in Shkoder at Skutari lake. Now the adventure starts. We try to park our van beneath the hill to walk up to the castle, but no parking, so a friendly man advises us to drive up to park. The narrow steep street with cars coming down is already a challenge, but reaching the dead end gives us shock waves. No place to turn. It takes us nearly half an hour on a slippy steep narrow street, with the help of many helpful Albanians and my good driver Hosain, to park the van into a suitable position to be able to return back.
He was helping while playing
Rozafa Castle dates back to the 4th century BC. We can enjoy a great view over Shkodra and Skutari lake
View down to Kruja
The turkish Derwish Sari Saltik founded this mystic place in the 13th century.
Way down to the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary
Deep down fresh cold water
Tara waiting patiently and guarding.....
...the goats
Near the Sanctuary we find the perfect place to stay over night near a good restaurant with delicious food and wine. In the night a powerful thunderstorm and heavy rain occurs, but we feel save and cosy in our van.
Next morning we find ourselves standing in a little pond filled with rainwater surrounded by thick fog and only 16°... Very mystic.
Hosain and Tara going for a walk, leaving me alone in the fog
After the fog lightens, we decide to take advantage and drive down the mountain to our next destination, Kap Rodon.
But on the way down, the street is blocked by a hugh rock ,that came down due to the heavy rain. We were lucky that we didn't pass by earlier at that time. The workers did their best to open a narrow passage to let us pass. With belly ache we drive through, with the fear that more rocks could come down.
Some small stones on the street ....
....big surprise after the corner
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