Day 23

Petrovac, Montenegro to Kavaje, Albania

We had lots of rain overnight so we’re very pleased we had parked on a hard surface on the campsite. A couple of other vans were struggling to get off of their pitches this morning.

The Albanian border was only an hour or so’s drive as we headed towards country number 9!.

Gareth had read loads of tales on FB of very long waits and queues at the border crossing so we waited patiently in line, watching local number plated cars and motorcycles trying to push in where they could . In actual fact we didn’t wait long at all, and surpringly there is only one border check. I suppose they’re not that bothered who comes in to Albania.

We had to buy a ‘green card’ which would give us 3rd party insurance cover to drive on Albania’s roads – the minimum requirement. It’s very difficult to find an insurance company in the UK that will cover you. Just past the border guards are lots of little booths, all eager to fleece you, whilst fighting off very persistent beggars, even after giving them money they kept on, so we gave them all our shrapnel – which they didn’t want haha, not that bad then eh?

Not a very good experience to be honest, reminded me of my first trip to Goa when, after a very long flight you are bombarded by people. I’m afraid I’m a wuss when it comes to situations like that and just want them to leave us alone. As soon as we had the green card we shot off.

Well, what about Albania? It’s a strange place. The properties we passed shortly after entering are well kept and pleasant.

They have that low, flat roofed Mediterranean feel about them. As you progress further – towards Tirana – it becomes very industrial but with huge colourful buildings dotted between the multitude of car washes, petrol stations and the odd sales room for various things. They look like palaces, and some didn’t even look open or occupied.

There is sadness here. I saw puppies in an open dog crate for sale and there is so much rubbish in the rivers that it will take a mammoth task to clear it all. We were near the coast so I’m assuming it gets washed into the sea eventually . Even where there were big roadside bins there was also big piles of rubbish.

Added to this is the road surface. We were on the main road to the coast, turning right just before Tirana and for the most part the road is the worst we have been on. Worse than we have had in any other country so far. How glad are we that nothing has yet rattled free on the van.

Before getting to our chosen stop we had to find a bank or cash point as Albania has a closed currency – the LEK. You can’t buy it outside and nearly everywhere takes cash. Some do take Euro but we thought it best not to get caught out.

In the town before our campsite there are numerous ATM’s. The first 5 we tried were all switched off. Eventually I spotted 2 outside a very posh looking hotel and managed to get LEK from one of them.

The fun didn’t stop there. It had started raining which then made it difficult to see the potholes and the unsigned & unpainted ramps in the road. Poor Gareth, he did such a good job keeping us in one piece, I know the concentration must have been wearing.

Finally we turned onto an unmade road looking for the campsite – 1km down a pitted sandy lane, just what we needed. There are two other brave campervans here who made the trek. This site will be a beautiful place in the summer. The sunsets will be spectacular and the view is amazing. It’s in the middle of nowhere so if you are looking for a total getaway then it’s the place for you. At the moment, like everywhere we’ve been, they are still waking up for the season.

We had more rain overnight but this morning the view was just lovely .

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