I had a great breakfast at my guesthouse, before paying my bill which included the fee for my guide. Naim (the young guy I'd met working in the restaurant yesterday) was waiting outside. I said my farewells to the old lady who had looked after me, & Naim & I finally set off at 7am.
Naim & I soon got chatting & I learned he had spent 6 years travelling around Europe & had spent a considerable amount of time in England! He was currently studying Leisure & Tourism at university. As we were walking through the valley it was quite clear Naim knew most of the locals as he exchanged quite a few words with many we past! After about an hour & a half we stopped at the newly built restaurant (Fushe-Gjeza). Here we met one of Naim's friends & we all sat down & had a coffee together (Naim & his friend also had a raki!) After a nice long break we set off again & I was soon amazed by the open dry landscape & the mountains ahead of us, with the path in the distance we were about to follow.
We soon reached Rragam which is where the trail really begins; here we stopped & had a chat with one of the locals. After Rragam we continued through a pine forest which was very pleasant to walk through, & stopped again for another rest. I had a bite to eat & Naim just had a cigarette! After the pine forest the hike became a little more steep & our next stop was the source of the Valbona River, which was a great place to relax & fill our bottles.
We were soon on our way again, & it was wonderful to see the sign for Thethi (4 km). From here I could see the path slowly descended. After about 2 km, we reached a hut/café where a local man had set up a place to sell drinks! It was quite an amazing place; apparently the man lives in Thethi & makes his living selling drinks up the mountain! Naim & I had a beer each (150 Lek). After setting off again, it wasn't too long before we were greeted by a local man on his mule coming up the mountain carrying a crate of beer to take to the nearby hut/café!
We finally reached Thethi by about 3pm, (we did stop a few times & my backpack was a little on the heavy side!) Naim recommended we stay at the guest house called 'Terhorja' (first or second on left as you walk into Thethi from Valbona) which charged 15 Euros for a bed & breakfast. It's here we met another of Naim’s friends, a local tourist guide who was also a free climber. He was currently looking after a small group of Czech tourists. Whilst our room was being prepared I decided to take a wonder around Thethi whilst Naim had a drink with his friend.
Thethi
In the evening Naim & I had a lovely meal at the guest house. It was a very friendly family run place, with a couple of wonderful young brothers who spoke perfect English & were very helpful. After our evening meal we both walked to the nearby restaurant to watch the European Cup final between Spain & Italy. There was quite a big crowd, including the American tourists I'd first met crossing Lake Koman! I don't think the Albanians were too impressed with Spain beating Italy 4 - 0!
Naim & I soon got chatting & I learned he had spent 6 years travelling around Europe & had spent a considerable amount of time in England! He was currently studying Leisure & Tourism at university. As we were walking through the valley it was quite clear Naim knew most of the locals as he exchanged quite a few words with many we past! After about an hour & a half we stopped at the newly built restaurant (Fushe-Gjeza). Here we met one of Naim's friends & we all sat down & had a coffee together (Naim & his friend also had a raki!) After a nice long break we set off again & I was soon amazed by the open dry landscape & the mountains ahead of us, with the path in the distance we were about to follow.
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
We were soon on our way again, & it was wonderful to see the sign for Thethi (4 km). From here I could see the path slowly descended. After about 2 km, we reached a hut/café where a local man had set up a place to sell drinks! It was quite an amazing place; apparently the man lives in Thethi & makes his living selling drinks up the mountain! Naim & I had a beer each (150 Lek). After setting off again, it wasn't too long before we were greeted by a local man on his mule coming up the mountain carrying a crate of beer to take to the nearby hut/café!
Rragam - Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi (Looking down at the path we had just left behind)
Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
Downhill from here :-) Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
A café in the mountains! Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
A café in the mountains! Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
A fridge in the mountains! Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
More beer being delivered to the café! Hiking along the Valbona Pass to Thethi
The primary school in Thethi
The church in Thethi -1892
The lock in tower in Thethi
Thethi is beautiful!
The church in Thethi -1892
Thethi
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