Things are good here in Albania!

A news report out yesterday from the Ministry of Health here in Albania says that the country is now officially out of "the red zone" regarding Covid, and now has the lowest numbers of any of the surrounding countries as well as Europe, at only 26 cases per 100,000 residents. For perspective, the province of Ontario has 250 cases per 100,000 residents.

Yesterday, they did 2,728 tests and 67 residents tested positive. There were 2 deaths.

So, things are pretty normal here. We were in a grocery store the other day and Ruth and I were the only ones wearing masks. When we are outside, we never wear masks. We do see the occasional person wearing a mask even outside.

Albania is continuing its vaccination campaign which includes anyone over the age of 60, and anyone in health care or essential services. Starting now, and throughout the month of May, they are also vaccinating anyone employed in tourism so that they can have as normal a tourism season as possible. 

Our apartment is facing one of the busiest streets in the city. We are right downtown and only two blocks from the cathedral. Yesterday was Friday, and in the evening it sounded pretty busy out there. Cafes, restaurants and bars are all open, and Ruth mentioned that we might be in for a noisy night. Then later on, when things were really quiet, I all of a sudden remembered that the 10pm to 6am curfew is still being applied. It doesn't affect us at all, so we had forgotten all about it.

During the day, we went for a walk in the hills behind the city. We started off at a WWII memorial.

Red rooftops of Korca.

A church in the distance.

Heading up the steps to the WWII memorial.

Looking down on the city.

War graves.

Almost all of them were in their 20's.

We continued on up the hill in behind the city. There is a cross and chapel at the top of one of the highest hills, but it was pretty cloudy and we wanted to go up there when the sky is clear and blue. Maybe today.

Zoomed in on the Korca Brewery.

Korca beer has been made here since 1928. They have a highly recommended restaurant on site that has cheap food and even cheaper beer! So we are planning to go there for lunch today and then do the brewery tour afterwards.

Mountains in the distance.

Say what?

I used google translate on the phone to find out what was so important. Essentially, the sign says that lighting any kind of a fire in this area is punishable by jail.

Nice property!

Albania has an abundance of natural spring water.

Ruth went up to see the interior of this little chapel.

These are both hotels overlooking the city.

We did a circular route heading down through a village.

Korca.

Some kind of old factory ruins.

Old church in the village.

Mom and her little one.

So cute.

You have to wonder what the story is.

Looks like it was quite a nice place at one time.

In the evening, I did some research about our onward travels and I booked a week in the lakeside town of Pogradic and then a week in the small northern city of Shkoder. That will bring us to May 26th. From there, the plan will depend on whether or not it looks like we will be able to get into Germany by June 15th. If yes, we will spend time hiking in the Albanian Alps. If no, we will be going to Kosovo.

Friday was cloudy, but the sun is shining so far today. Calling for a pleasant high of 23C (73F) so we are off to climb to the cross on the highest hill overlooking the city, then to the brewery for lunch and a cold cheap beer or two!

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Record low deal o the new Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller. Probably a good idea to buy the 40 Hour Refill Pack at the same time.

And in Canada...

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