Rideforsmiles, Solo Australian to Africa Europe and Beyond, starting June 26th 2011.

[EyeCake]

i think your pictures show a good cross section of life in Albania especially the driving as in crossing the roundabout. A few of the many upmarket cars "on loan" from their owners in Western Europe would complete the picture.
I drove thru Kosovo and Albania and was appalled at the way rubbish was dumped at the side of the road. The locals have no respect for their often beautiful area

Originally Posted by rideforsmiles

I know I'm posting some pretty crappy photos of Albania and maybe portraying it in not such a good light, but if you come here expecting the Swiss Alps you will be sadly dissapointed, on the other hand if you want to come and meet beauful friendly people from the locals selling toys down the waterfront, the staff at the hotels, to the police and the lady down the fast food shop you definatly wont leave Albania dissapointed, they are some of the nicest people ive met in my whole travels. I met Klodii in the local motorcycle shop in Durres on my ride around town today and got the same friendly welcome again so had a chat and a drink for awhile. Ill add the shop address later but if you ever ride through Durres you should drop in and say hi. He's got some good gear in his shop and its actually really well priced. If your heading north or south the Albanian people definalty make this route a good way to go.

Klodi's email is motorandaal@yahoo.com im sure he could help you out if you need a hand when your here and if you head south out of Durres main look for the big trojan horse you cant miss it on your left.

[troy albania]

Hi Sheldon
I hope U are doing fine and enjoying your ride. I am glad to have known U my friend. Thanks a lot for your opinion about Albania and me as well. Wsh U all the best and hope 1 day to see U in Albania again

[rideforsmiles]

Klodi had nearly convinced me to head south through Albania but decided to stick to my plan and get a small sample of the other countries and people around this part of the world so it was off to Kosovo.

Leaving the main drag of Durres in Albania behind and hitting the road, as much as there's sweet fa to see around here in Durress the people certainly grow on you they are very friendly and as much as I was tempted to stay a few more days and with only a few weeks till I have to be in Greece to meet Ev it was time to say adios amigos and off I went into the unknown, not exactly sure where I was heading but into Kosovo somewhere.

[rideforsmiles]

Just couldnt resist another parting shot of all the rubbish in the waterways of Albania. They really should try and clean it up, the old first impressions saying certainly comes to mind, im sure if they cleaned it up Albania would quickly gain in popularity cause of the friendly people but then again some of the euros might not feel comfortable with everyone wanting to say hello as you walked down the street and waving at them all the time.







Place for the kids to hang out and swim now lets just clear a path to the prestine water's edge and we will be right.

[rideforsmiles]

My baby relaxing by the road, shes all mine for another 2 weeks then she will have to play second fiddle in the bedroom, I dont know how thats going to go down but you never know i might be able to convince Ev to let her join us for a romp in the tent now and then, oh well if not one of them will be sleeping outside, eenie meenie minney mo ahahahah

[rideforsmiles]

What a difference a few k's make as you get out of the built up areas of Albania, the lack of rubbish and scenary changes for the better.

Just a random church up on a hill why cant they just build it down the bottom of the hill like normal people, maybe the competition over here just gave them this part of the hill to build on so noone would go.

[rideforsmiles]

Yeah whatever just a random shot of an abandoned factory along the highway, im bored, though the road was great, surprise surprise its not all doom and gloom.

[rideforsmiles]

The road was great the views spectacular, made a very enjoyable days riding.

[rideforsmiles]

And it just continued on, after so many shitty roads in Albania this was a breath of fresh air. A sign said that it was built in conjunction with Austria, they must want some of their minerals here in Albania.

[rideforsmiles]

I must admit there is some beautiful scenary in this part of Albania and this ride is fantastic if your around here, I only saw one set of cops in one of the towns and there is hardly any traffic.

[rideforsmiles]

More of the views in the north west of Albania.

[rideforsmiles]

I should of been doing 100 miles an hour along this stretch but I was actually cruising enjoying the veiws, I must be getting old, silly old coot.

[rideforsmiles]

Just a random pwetty lake along the way not far from the Albania Kosovo border.

[rideforsmiles]

Originally Posted by troy albania

Hi Sheldon
I hope U are doing fine and enjoying your ride. I am glad to have known U my friend. Thanks a lot for your opinion about Albania and me as well. Wsh U all the best and hope 1 day to see U in Albania again

Hey Klodi was great to meet you too, I hope you didnt take offence to some of my pictures highlighting the rubbish everywhere but one thing you will get from me is honesty, I just call it how I see it. The road over to Kosovo was amazing had a great ride no traffic at all and only one set of cops and some great scenary. Thanks again for your hospitality while I was in Durres id like to get back and explore the south like you suggested at some point in time. Take care my friend and always keep the rubber side down.

[rideforsmiles]

Coffee break before hitting the border, good idea sign. And so came to end my short stay in Albania, i got a little glimpse into the country and people which I have to say on first impressions was a bit ho hum but that opinion starts to change pretty quickly, the people are great and I did find some amazing scenary without looking to hard so im sure there is alot more out there to be explored not to mention there is obvioulsy a market for a garbage diposal and recycling busines down there. Hey you never say never ive got a few mates in the game and they arent poor let me tell you. The can dig their holes for their minerals and ill fill them back up with their rubbish, everyone walks away happy hahaha