Well we know now that Bus Tours are definitely not our preferred way to travel. So busy with one night stops, no time to smell the roses or do the washing, but still time for a few drinks.

We left Tirana and travelled to Lake Ohrid. Our first stop was at the Bektashi World. Centre, an Islamic Sect that evolved in the 13th century during the Ottoman Empire. The tombs held the remains of religious leaders. The main mosque had beautiful marbles mosaics on the walls and dome. It amazed us how 4 religions can exist in one country with no hostility, Islam, Muslim, Christianity and Eastern Orthodox.

We then continued onto Lake Ohrid and had lunch which consisted of vegetarian meatballs and salad.

Then we continued onto our overnight stop at a small village called Tushemisht, right on the lake.The lake is apparently one of the oldest lakes in the world and situated in the Driloni National Park.

We wandered around and then had a lovely dinner of grilled vegetables and lake fish called belvica.

Next day we’re were heading to Korca. First stop was Voskopoja, a town founded in the 16th century. Once an urban settlement , it was famous for its beautiful churches adorned with frescoes. Originally 26 churches were built between 1630 and 1780. The road was the trade route from Venice to Constantinople . Today only 5 remain due to war, earthquakes and erosion however the original frescoes we saw in 3 of them were beautiful. The first was the Church of the Holy Virgin and it was the largest and built in 1694.

Second stop was the Church of St Nicholas and again many of the frescoes have stood the test of time.

The 3rd was the Church of the Archangels built around 1696. They were all incredible and you all know how we love frescoes.

We then had lunch a small local taverna. We shared a salad because we didn’t have much local cash and they didn’t take credit card! We have now learned to ask if they take credit card before we order!

We then arrived in Korca which sits at the foot of the Morova Mountains. We saw the. Athedral, quite a modern structure and then wandered into the Bazaar Area, had a taste of raki and decided to stay for dinner.

Dinner was delicious,, Rhonda had pork with plums and Greg’s meatballs, which in his words did not resemble meatballs what so ever, but the wine was lovely!

The following day we were heading to Gjirokaster, a place Rhonda had been looking forward to seeing. It was a very winding road through the Southern Highlands and the lunch stop was at a gin/brewey/restaurant so of course we had to try the local gin!

After lunch it was more winding roads driving through the White Mountains via the Keleyra Gorge and driving very close to the Greece border.

Then we arrived in Gjirokaster, known as “The Grey Pearl of Albania” due to its stone roofs Ottoman houses and its hill top fortress. Checked into the hotel and then out for a drink. Well shock horror , it was tourist central, quite a disappointment!

We were having 2 nights here, surprise surprise. Time to do some washing! The following morning we walked up to the fortress, first constructed in the 12th century. It has 5 towers and is one of the biggest fortresses in the Balkans. The Ottomans expanded it in the 14th century and in the Communist era it was used as a prison for political prisoners until 1968.

There is a bit more to come for this part but it’s dinner time and we need food! More tomorrow hopefully!

Bye for now

Lots of love

Greg and Rhonda

xxxx