I could live in Shkoder, loved it.

7.9.22

The good thing about sleep apnoea and having a cpap machine is that once you’re hooked up the only sound you’re aware of is your own breathing and a relatively soothing whirring of the machine.

Every morning John asks me if I heard people coming back late, doors, tv, dogs etc. Nope, nothing. Last night he was kept awake at 2 am by the 3 s’s. Not sun, sea and sand, but stomping, shagging and showering. He is not a happy bunny today.

Part of me wanted to stay at Sebastiano. Breakfast was nıcely displayed but not good. The disgusting coffee was the push I needed. Lets go on to Shkoder.

We drove to Shkoder and had a wander. It’s a town full of character. A few well known brands, loads of places selling designer labels but not sure if they’re real or fake. There’s loads of coffee shops and bars. Churches and mosques sit side by side. There’s loads of green spaces and an old town with lovely shuttered buildings.

The traffic is a special type of mad and 100s of cyclists take their lives in their hands weaving in and out of the madness.

A lot of foreigners have made Albania their home. I can see why.

If there ever came a time we had to leave Turkey for any reason we think Albania would be a very likely plan B. A lot of expats seem to live in Sarande, Durres or Vlore. I think Shkoder would be somewhere I could settle, not so touristy or high rise.

We have no idea if there’s any shops or eateries near our next over night stop so we’re well stocked up with cakes, börek, crisps fruit juice, water, beer and of course trilece 😂

The road wasn’t as scary as we’d imagined, compared to our recent drive up to Girdev lake in Turkey the hard way, it was a breeze. Parts of it aren’t tarmacced and there’s lots of potholes.

The scenery was stunningly beautiful.

We’d booked accomodation, Hotel Vila Francese, €30, a few minutes drive away from the Komani lake ferry, so the first thing we did was to check out the parking situation nearby. Via the cows.

Our accomodation, Hotel Vıla Francese looked like an old prison from outside, or maybe an old school. The staff are great and put our drinks in their fridge as the rooms don’t have any.

It was 4pm, it was nice to arrive somewhere that’s not about to get dark. We made our way down to the lakeside and ate our borek and yogurt.

Such an amazing location.

We had planned to do the 9am ferry to Fierze, stop there for an hour or so and come back again, possibly spending another night here, or down to Shkoder, to see the lake and castle maybe. The reception lady suggested we take the car ferry instead and either go and see Valbona or come back via the bendy but tarmac road.

We tried to book. Fully booked. 😭😭 We could do plan A and go as foot passengers on Berisha.

Further investigation by John found the Rozafa ferry and they had space, €5 dearer at €70, so we booked tentatively They also have a hotel very close to the port with really dreadful reviews. We hadn’t handed over any money, so the risk was worth taking. If we get pirated and you never see another blog that’s why.

Research done, ferry booked, time to chill and so looking forward to tomorrow.