View above Tirana, and more Poland planning

One of the things we had wanted to do here in Tirana is to take the cable car up into the mountains. Wednesday was supposed to be warm and sunny, so we figured the views should be good. 

The lower cable car terminal is located on the outskirts of the city, about 6.5 kms (4 miles) from our apartment. We thought about driving, but traffic in Tirana can get backed up at all hours of the day. Also, when we return to the apartment it's difficult to find parking.

I know, it seems a little ridiculous to pay for a car and then hardly ever use it. But the monthly rate was low, and it has been convenient to have it for getting us from place to place when we want to. Also, it will be getting us to the airport early Friday morning!

Anyhow, it was going to take about forty minutes to drive in stop and go traffic, versus an hour and fifteen minutes to walk.

Of course we chose to walk. After all, we needed the exercise.

The lower cable car terminal.

Cost was 800 lek ($9.60 CAD, $8 USD) per person for the round trip ticket. 

It takes 15 minutes one way.

Looking back at where we started from.

Scenery along the way.

Looking back at the city.

Ruth, enjoying the views.

At the top, there is a small hotel, a mini golf course, a restaurant, a roller skating rink, an adventure park, and horseback riding.

Also numerous hiking and biking trails.

Looking down on the city of Tirana.

I took a video of the views. 

No volume necessary.

We think this hotel was never completed.

It's been sitting like this for a long time.

We went for a nice walk in the forest.

Ruth, petting the foal.

On the way down.

Well, it turned out to be warm, but certainly not sunny. In fact, we had a thunderstorm go through on our way back through the city. Managed to stay sheltered for the worst of it though, so didn't get too wet.

Made it back to the apartment and we had walked a total of 18 kms (11.2 miles).

Then, I got on the internet to make sure we were fully prepared for our Poland flight.

From what I understand, we do not need to be tested prior to getting on board the plane. However, I'm not 100% sure because there is a lot of conflicting information. And of course we want to be 100% certain because the repercussions of not being prepared could be very frustrating and costly. I have read stories about people who haven't been prepared, and usually it means they end up not getting to where they wanted to go.

However, I do know that any test done outside of Poland is not acceptable grounds to get out of quarantine in that country. So when we arrive at Warsaw, we need to do a PCR test done immediately at Warsaw Airport (there are five different testing stations) that will excuse us from quarantine. Which means that any test done before that is kind of pointless anyhow.

Even the Polish Border Guard website is not very clear. It's possible because of Google Translate, but maybe not. 

And the airline (we are flying LOT, the Polish state owned airline) has not responded to any contact attempt I have made. 

Here in Albania, Tirana Airport has a PCR testing lab right at the airport. It's open 24/7 and promises results within 90 minutes. It's also reasonably priced, at €35 ($52 CAD, $43 USD). So it is highly likely that we will just bite the bullet and get it done. And I don't mind paying the money. I just don't want to pay the money if we don't have to.

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