albania
- Thread starter dwenfish
- Start date
miss direct
misfungled
I've been for the day, it was quite nice as far as scenery goes but there were quite lot of kids in bare feet who kept coming up and following me and trying to sell me things.
pk
drink flounce rinse repeat
Albania rocks!
OK so they still have a way to go, but I would deffo recommend a visit!
Some amazing architecture, still standing after the collapse of Hoxha's joke communist government, all night bars, pretty towns and amazing castles.. And the FOOD is out of this world!
Tirana is one of the most bizarre cities on Earth, painted multicoloured by the mayor who was sick of the grey concrete, it has become a creative hub of activity.
Dusty, hot, almost mediaeval in places, I loved it.
Sure, some serious poverty and the child beggars are a bit of a shock, but the Albanian people are warm and sincere and proud of who they are.
Some great military stuff lying about, especially in the north, but be careful in rural areas, still there be bandits.
Good shopping to be had, plenty of raki to drink. Its all good.
Think of a former communist version of Greece and you're halfway there.
I defy you to stroll around Scanderbeg Square and not feel like you're in 1970s Russia...
Loved it, and I'd go back too!
OK so they still have a way to go, but I would deffo recommend a visit!
Some amazing architecture, still standing after the collapse of Hoxha's joke communist government, all night bars, pretty towns and amazing castles.. And the FOOD is out of this world!
Tirana is one of the most bizarre cities on Earth, painted multicoloured by the mayor who was sick of the grey concrete, it has become a creative hub of activity.
Dusty, hot, almost mediaeval in places, I loved it.
Sure, some serious poverty and the child beggars are a bit of a shock, but the Albanian people are warm and sincere and proud of who they are.
Some great military stuff lying about, especially in the north, but be careful in rural areas, still there be bandits.
Good shopping to be had, plenty of raki to drink. Its all good.
Think of a former communist version of Greece and you're halfway there.
I defy you to stroll around Scanderbeg Square and not feel like you're in 1970s Russia...
Loved it, and I'd go back too!
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
I've always wanted to go. Seems like a very colourful place.
what else can I add ?
fantastic Roman Ampitheatre in Durratzo - right in the ventre of town - early Xtian mosaics hidden away
Get hold of some Tirana Pils if you can, but the albs dont favor their own brew - a bit embarrased by it - so you have to track it down, but its worth it
not much nitelife, but people still go a typical mediterranean promenade during the summer & its quite fun to sit in a cafe and relax
the country is relatively small & to get around, just rent a cab for a few Euros - usually an old Merc 240D estate - the road rule are "flexible" so dont be too shocked - better value than the bus. quicker and you can stop at will to take snaps etc - good if you want to onward to the Macedona border over the hills
Skhodra lies on the big lake and is interesting to see, but a bit dusty and wild westy soemtimes
go into the mountains if you can - lovely and relatively unspolied as they were border zones for half a century - lots o wildlife and some fantastic limestone geology if thats your thing
a warning tho - single women can get hassle - I have to mention this - the nature of Alb society is a little fuedal and traditional, so just keep your wits about you - a couple or more will have no stress - never heard of a mugging tho'. Women are not expected to hang in bars and suchlike - Albanian women that its, so its not likely you will meet many outside the big cities
the people are genuuinely friendly and should you you find yourself in a conversation/ coffee with most Albs, they will look after you as a matter of family honour whilst you are in their manor - old ottoman tradition thats quaint and at odds with the image of the place as a lawless country - get an invite to an Alb house and they are honour bound to ensure you are safe and well fed until you leave , even to the point of shedding blood for you ( this doesnt happen much these days, but the generation to generation blood feud is still a feature of Trad Alb society and soemthing to be aware of )
theres not much of a rubbish colelction system in many areas, so dont be shocked to see piles of plastic shite littering the place
go for it - its so close, yet so far away from much of Europe
Hmm
seeing as it was taking off from Tirana International airpot as part of a US/Alb agreement when it crashed I would suggest not
The vast majority of Albs you will meet view the US as some kind of wonderland and you may find people perstering & seeing if you can get them to America
