Albania (2019)
Skanderbeg square, the main square in the centre of Tirana.
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Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg. He defended Albania against the invading Turks for several decades.
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One of the many Cold War bunkers still visible in the country. This one was turned into a museum.
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The newly constructed mosque (paid for by Turkey).
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Abstract art, next to the mausoleum
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Building intended as mausoleum for Enver Hohxa, but never used as such.
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Art symbolising the mines where exiled 'enemies of the state' were forced to work
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The cable car runs from a suburb of Tirana to Mt. Dajti
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Shkodra
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Orthodox church in Shkodra
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Shkodra
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The somewhat improvised looking harbour where the Komani Lake ferry starts
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Komani Lake
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After leaving the ferry at Bajram Curri, we have a few hours of hiking to get to Valbona
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We're entering Valbona National Park
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First full hiking day in Valbona: up the mountain towards the border with Montenegro, and back
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Up and up we go...
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This part of Albania has the highest number of different plant species anywhere in Europe
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Snow!
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Second hiking day: we need to cross the Valbona-Theth pass. Since there are no roads here, our luggage follows us on horseback
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Can horses really walk such steep, rocky paths? Sure they can
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Valbona-Theth pass
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Theth
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Pejes pass
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The guest house ("Polia")
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Theth waterfall
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Lots of ascending today
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St. Michael's church overlooking Berat
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Ottoman houses in Berat
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Gorica bridge
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The road to the castle, with a view towards the newer part of town
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Berat castle
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Orthodox church at Berat castle
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Gjirokaster castle
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This ottoman house is in original state and open for visitors.
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Men and women had separate rooms. The men's room was the most important and most richly decorated in the house
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Gjirokaster castle
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The 'Bazaar' of Gjirokaster
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