Last Day in Albania

Slept in this morning - got to breakfast at 9:30 - not much to choose from. This was a very basic continental breakfast. For a 3 star hotel, this place lacks some of the expected benefits, but is a good experience of things Albanian. The shower in the bathroom deserves special mention - there is no shower curtain or glass panel to prevent the water from flooding the floor. I can only imagine how Ron would have managed - a 6 foot 4 plus trying to keep the water within the shower base would have proved almost impossible. The young boy (13 years old) Hamde, who works here when not at school, has been very helpful to us, not only translating but teaching Liz, Marie and Gert how to play a new game of cards. They must have enjoyed the game, spending several hours yesterday afternoon at it. It is interesting to note that Hamde, who would normally have been at school today only spent an hour there because the teacher was absent, so he came home!!

Having been told that we could check out at 11am, we were then notified that the rooms were needed earlier and so a mad rush to pack so that we could clear the rooms by 10:30 am then ensued. We made it with minutes to spare. The intrepid Marie, Dave and Gert went walking and returned at about 10, looking a little the worse for wear. Gert needed a drink of bubbly water to clear the pollution from her lungs! Marie was thankful she survived the terrors of the road crossings and Dave simply enjoyed the "fun".

As Liz, Ron, Jill and I headed out on our walk, we noticed some kerfuffle in the road outside the hotel. The police, who occupy the premises opposite the hotel had blocked the street so that a couple of police vans (carrying some suspicious characters we suspect) could make a quick exit. We counted 2 police armed with semi-automatic weapons and several others carrying side arms. Even so, the traffic banked up, honked their horns and showed their impatience at being held up. One even had an out and out yelling match with one of the officers.

After this excitement, we went shopping! (read browsing, but browsing with intent on the part of Liz and Jill) Liz was on a mission to purchase gifts for her daughters and friends. Some success was achieved, including another charm for Liz's pandora bracelet. Jill was sorely tempted but managed to resist. We continued on to the Tirana International Hotel (more to the standard of our previous hotels) and made a vow that our next visit to Tirana would include staying there. An interesting building caught my eye on the way - a university dedicated to UFOs - at least that's what the sign said. It seemed a bit alien to me!

By this time, lunch-time hunger pangs were gnawing so Jill and I had a pizza and a club sandwich while Liz and Ron returned to the scene of last night's dinner for something a little more up-market (and expensive).

Four seasons in one today - rain, cool breeze, bright sunshine. All we need is snow for the complete package. Albania is not a place I would rush back to, but Jill and I have definitely enjoyed the experience of being here. It is a land of contrasts in terms of its development - from decrepit shanty towns to modern and luxurious apartment blocks. The modern airport is a prime example of what can be done here. Like most parts of the world, the rich and well heeled enjoy a comfortable life while the battlers do just that - battle. The streets are full of what we would describe as luxury cars - BMWs, Mercedes, Volvos, Fiats - but they range from brand new to those that hang together because the rust hasn't completely given way yet.  

Soon we head off to the airport for our flight to Athens and transit on to Santorini. We are looking forward to that.