Day 21 - Shkodër to Tirana

After a long sleep in, in my luxurious room I was feeling a lot better & was looking forward to my breakfast. I stepped outside & I was soon approached by the chef who asked if I would like my breakfast outside on the veranda, I agreed. He soon delivered a wonderful breakfast which included an omelette & some cheese with figs & lashings of tea.

I finally checked out just before noon & walked into the centre of town (Radio Shkodra) to find a minibus to take me to Tirana. As soon as I approached the main junction I spotted a minibus with 'Tirana' on the front window (or rather the driver spotted me first!) & so I jumped on board, where there were already a couple of female passengers. Before heading off, we naturally had to drive around the block a few times to look for more passengers!

It wasn't long after we left when we approached one of the many police roadside speed check points. The driver was clearly speeding as he had to break hard when he first spotted the policeman! Unfortunately the policeman flagged him down! There was an almighty shouting match, & the driver was taken out of the minibus for another chat on the roadside before finally being allowed back in his minibus! The policeman's hand gestures & facial expressions were quite comical really!

I arrived in Tirana at about 2pm at the Zog I Zi junction in the north of the town. I paid the driver 400 Lek, (this is what one of the female passengers had paid when she had jumped off a little earlier). I think the driver may have asked/tried for more, however as I gave him 4x100 Lek coins I think he was stumped!

I was happy to walk into town with my backpack & made my way to Tanners Bridge to take a few photographs. I certainly noticed the increase of people & traffic in Tirana! I decided to look for the Hotel called 'Kalaja', but as I was walking along George W. Bush Rd (North of the Lana River) I spotted another hotel ('Artik'?). As I approached the main door I was greeted by a lady who very kindly told me it was very expensive & suggested I try the place just around the corner! I walked just a few yards with her before we arrived at 'Andrea’s House' (Jeronim De Rada Rd) where I was greeted by a young lady who spoke very good English. I was shown a room, which was very nice (it had an art deco feel about it), & even came with its own kitchen! It did not have air conditioning but I thought the fee of 20 Euros with breakfast was not a bad price for the centre of Tirana.

The multi-coloured buildings of Tirana

Tanners Bridge in Tirana is an 18th century Ottoman period stone footbridge (bad timing with car!)

Graffiti in Tirana

I later went for a walk around Skanderbeg Square & soaked up the atmosphere. I then grabbed a donor kebab from one of the many fast food places, followed by a lovely ice cream! Here I decided I couldn't really be bothered to see any more of Tirana, (I think I was just a little tired after all my travelling) & decided I would head to Kruja in the morning.

The National Historical Museum in Tirana - Built in 1981

Skanderbeg Square in Tirana

Tirana

The Mosque of Et'hem Bey (18th century) in Tirana

Man sat outside the Mosque of Et'hem Bey in Tirana

I later walked south of the Lana River & visited the Pyramid, which was once a museum to Enver Hoxha's life. It is clearly now just a crumbling wreck! When I arrived there were kids climbing the top & then running back down, which made for some very interesting photographs! I ended my evening at Mother Teresa Square before heading back to my guest house with a quick visit to a nearby supermarket to buy some much needed deodorant!

The Pyramid building in Tirana

The Pyramid building in Tirana

The Pyramid building in Tirana