On Friday we rented a VW GOL I don't think we have them in the states but I'd say it's the VW Golf's much less powerful cousin with a hopping 1 liter engine! But we used it all weekend and traveled about 250 miles on less than a quarter of a tank of gas. We left Tirana about 2:00 in the afternoon and drove west to the coastal town of Durres hung out for a bit just checking it out and then drove south to Vlore. We got in about 6-7PM and found a hotel right on the beach. Had dinner then went down town for a walk and Gelato. (Chocolate of course) In the morning we went up to the orphanage. We found a back door and just knocked and went inside. A very sweet lady saw that we had brought some things for the children gave me a hug and quickly realized that although I had an Albanian/English book in my hands I could not actually speak it :) She took my hand and brought us upstairs to a women that could speak Albanian and English! We told her that we knew some people that had adopted a little girl from Vlore, she remembered them well and was so happy that we stopped by. It turns out that today was her day off but she was there to give three of the children a birthday party. It was so great, they had a room decorated with balloons and cakes, hats and noise makers. The local kindergarten children even came with their school teacher to celebrate. We watched them celebrate with each child. We sang it in English but it's the point that counts right?! After the party Albana asked if we would have lunch with her at her husbands new restaurant. Of course we did, did I mention that we are both loving the food over here, such amazing produce! So we had lunch in Vlore and climbed back in the GOL and headed south up a mountain. We really didn't know where we where going to stop but let me tell you the drive was one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken. Each turn one of us would say WOW! or Amazing, and it truly is. At times the switch backs on the way down where a tad bit frightening and the fact that people pass you doesn't help but looking out over the Adriatic made you feel better! We ended up in a village called Dhermi. Since it is not summer yet we had our choice of two hotels and one restaurant. I rather enjoyed not having to think to much about it. Although, it's still cold here at night and our room didn't have heat so they gave us extra blankets, I think he knew that we where wimpy Americans. I didn't care I used all five of them and even wore Bob's socks! We took our time coming back and explored beach's and villages. We got to our hotel about 8-9PM last night to an open parking spot right in front of our door. Had diner at a great place around the corner owned by a man that has been to Chicago. :) If your ever in Tirana please stop in and eat at Saranda, really great food.
Today we had breakfast here at the Stephans Center, returned the car and bargained for our souvenirs with a street vendor. He thought Bob was so funny with his Albanian that he gave us not one but three "free" key chains. I told Bob that meant that we totally got ripped off :)
Tomorrow we are meeting with our guy from Bethany and a women from the AAC so please pray that it goes well.
The switch-backs we came down.
Gun turret's from WWII they are everywhere.
I wish my camera could get the whole mountain, the vertical drop is amazing. Not to many places on the planet look like this.
I wish my camera could get the whole mountain, the vertical drop is amazing. Not to many places on the planet look like this.
The city of Vlore.
From our hotel in Vlore.
Half way up from Dhermi.
The amazing little VW.
These guys where in front of us on our way up the mountain, Bob couldn't take it so he channeled his inner Albanian and passed them right after this hairpin turn! Driving here could be bad for your marriage ;) 
No comments:
Post a Comment