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We arrived at the customs office a few minutes past 09:00 AM and
while Renato and an agent are doing the paperwork we wait ..... and wait
...... and wait ...... until 12 o'clock. Finally all the papers are
ready, signed, stamped and whatever needed to be done.
Now the car officialy is allowed into Albania, we get in the car,
with Renato, the new owner, at the wheel to drive to Tirana.
We are very happy the weather is so good. All the way from Holland to
Italy we had bright sunny weather and the sea between Italy and Albania
was very quiet. While waiting for the paperwork, we enjoyed the sun.
It was not warm but because of the sun it was not uncomfortable.
Last week, people were traped into their cars in Italy and now we
were blessed with the best weather we could wish.
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After the first few meters driving on Albanian roads we knew why Renato
needed a 4WD and not a regular car. The roads are very bad, a lot of
potholes, rubble on the roads and everyone drives like there are no rules.
The scenery is sometimes beautiful and sometimes it is very sad. A lot of
construction sites but also ruines of collapsed houses. Little concrete
bunkers from the time Hoxha was the ruler in this country are everywhere.
A lot of construction and a small concrete bunker
After a while we get on the highway from Durres to Tirana. This road is
only a few years old and a very good road with not to much traffic so
in half an hour we are in Tirana.
The highway from Durres to Tirana
Then the fun realy starts. I guess someone must have a book with traffic
rules and laws somewhere but it must be hidden very good because everyone
here makes their own rules. Traffic lights are just for the nice colored
lights, not to stop for so it is the biggest mess I have aver seen on
the road. Actualy, I'm surprised I don't see much accidents.
The highway entering Tirana
People are driving on the road but also on the dirt beside the roads,
they use their horn whenever possible and overtake left and right.
More into the center of Tirana the city looks nicer with the mountains at
the horizon.
A main street in Tirana
After driving through the towncenter we leave Tirana and drive to Shkoza
to the "Shalom Center" on the Rruga "All Demi" in Shkoza.
We bring our luggage to our rooms and then we go to the restaurant and
Renato buys us a very nice Albanian pizza for lunch. After lunch, Renato
is going home and we have a few hours to unpack our luggage and to rest.
At half past four Renoto comes back to drive us to his church in Tirana.
For practical reasons, they have a service on Saturday afternoon that we
want to attend.
At the service, we get a headphone and everything is translated in
English for us. After the service we get a soda and then we are invited
for dinner in an Albanian restaurant to try Albanian specialities.
The restaurant is Pizzeria restaurant "Era" in the Ismail Qemali Street in
Tirana.
Dinner in Pizzeria Restaurant "Era"
We tried a little of everything (well...maybe not everything but many different
dishes anyway) and enjoyed it very much. We had a nice Albanian beer, "Tirana"
and with the four of us, the total price was only twenty euro's !!!
After dinner, Renato drives us back to the hotel. The end of our first day in Albania.
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