Albania - A Modest Monet

As I made the video of Albania, Rosie watched over my shoulder. Finally, she says, “You make everything look amazing. It wasn’t.”

She’s not wrong. Albania was a quick 4 nights, which we felt was enough. Albania’s Mediterranean coastline is a Monet - it looks better from afar. The water is beautiful and the potential is there, yet it seems that Albania isn’t really sure who she is right now: she’s growing out of Communism but still covered in concrete with bunkers peeking out from every hill. We explored some Communist hidey-holes dug out of the sides of cliffs, and were the only ones up early to explore a spectacular cave by water.

Our first port stop was Sarande, a beach town with an inflatable water park, so actually, Rosie, I do believe you thought it was amazing. The best part about Albania was meeting a kid boat - SV Sapphire Blue - from Canada. We immediately connected with them and with two girls on board the same ages as Rosie, she was in girl heaven. There was a sleepover and pancakes, an evening festival in town and lots of gelato (because you have to say yes when it’s 2 scoops for 1 Euro).

We were heading north and they were heading south, so we said goodbye and sailed up to Durres, a city with a big commercial port, lots of fishing, some ancient ruins (Roman, Turkish, etc), and a few beaches that make Ocean City look lux.

Many cruisers skip Albania because it’s underwhelming. As always, though, we are grateful for the experience and a few days out of the Schengen visa zone. Russ has been there, done that and proudly wears the t-shirt.