First thing we did yesterday morning was to put on a load of laundry. Mostly bedding, so we wanted to get it in early so that it would dry by the time we left. There was no stated checkout time, so we asked the lady if we could stay a little longer, and she didn't have a problem with that. We had already unplugged, and it's not like there was a lineup of people waiting for a spot.
We weren't going far... it was only about 3.5 kms to the Hotel Castle Park. The parking lot is fairly small, and not that level but I knew that in advance and figured we would be able to make it work. And we did, but it took some effort to get level. I was surprised it worked out as well as it did!
Max, parked at GPS 40.691359, 19.956092
(Photo taken at 7:20am this morning.)
We went into the restaurant and met up with Alma, the lady who runs the whole operation. She has organized a hiking tour for us today. It's a little on the pricey side at €60 ($85 CAD, $68 USD) each. But we have a personal guide and they supply a nice picnic lunch. So its a bit of a treat for us, but it's an area we knew we wanted to see, and we can't even get to the trailhead without a 4x4! And, it's part of the birthday/Christmas money my mother gave us, so thanks Mom!
Later in the afternoon we walked into town to do some more groceries. This time we were looking for a butcher to stock up in the meat department. It's a bit of a walk from the hotel parking lot into town, and we ended up doing just over 7 kms (4.3 miles).
Looking down on the newer part of Berat.
And the old town of Berat.
By the time we walked back, it was dark. You can see the moon rising.
This photo was taken at 4:55pm.
Cheers!
Or Gezuar, as they say in Albania!
So, we are heading out at 9:00am and it's over an hour drive in a 4x4, then we hike between two and two and half hours to a remote ruins site in Tomorr National Park, then have some lunch, then hike back out. The sun is shining and it looks like a beautiful day, so we should have some great photos for you tomorrow!
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And in Canada...
It is just as dark in Ottawa at that time!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right it is and it is far too early!
DeleteOh this hike is really going to be good! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was! Wait until you see the pictures. :-)
DeleteI love that you give the GPS coordinates for your campsites! It makes me want to camp my way through Albania, but I know I can't afford a vehicle. I lived in a tiny (6x9') folding camper for three years here in the US, following the good weather and boondocking 100%. Now I live in a tiny (8x11') house I built myself but sometimes I miss camping.
ReplyDeleteWe like to include the GPS coordinates to help any others that follow in our footsteps as we travel through Albania or any other country for that matter. I know that we appreciate the GPS coordinates that others leave for good overnight parking when we are doing our research
DeleteYou know, you could always consider buying an old van and making the inside liveable enough for you to travel around in. Lots of people do that and it sounds like you are pretty handy, plus there are always people here that can assist you with things that you can't do yourself. Just a suggestion for you. :-)