Bus(ting) for a see

 

Gobbledygook title but taking in the key elements of the day, long bus journey south, scenic views of hills and mountains, with ultimate arrival at the sea and the resort of Saranda.

Woke around 7am, not entirely refreshed but feel somewhat invigorated by the sights and sounds of difference.  Had to be ready to get on the road, so got ourselves all packed, and popped out to the hotel summer house / cafe to see for any signs of breakfast. An americano, black, with sugar and toast with cheese and jam; rich cheese of caerphilly style taste, and the coffee, a strong cigarette and I'd have been back in the 80s again, see the pet shops of yesterday and european road trips of the 70s.

Chrissi using her facebook contacts on visit albania pages to summon up a taxi, like most things in my life, I don't believe it until I see evidence of it, but faith rewarded on this occasion and a luminous orange vehicle emerged on the street. You've been tangoed had to wait (almost occurring later on the bus with a bald head leaning his seat back into me) as he seemed uncertain as to which bus station he was taking us to.  They all leave from a big car park called the north / south terminal and on arriving to something akin to a car boot sale I could see the confusion. One last hurdle to overcome as Chrissi had not downloaded the ticket so phones being passed around for hot spots (you have to trust people out here, increasingly evident that they are salt of the earth types) and we got there in the end. In all the hubbub not entirely clear if our rucksacks had been loaded so I did have to go with a leap of faith on that score.

see the luminous orange one

Not the most modern of buses and we were close to the oldest on it, lots of youngsters , backpacker types. One or two wizened locals. And us. Spent the first hour weighing up the pros and cons of bus v taxi. £30 for two on the bus v £130 in taxi. Same journey time. Not having to make small talk with driver vs perhaps a little more space and the oddities of fellow passengers. Most were OK although we did have to stop as one of the youngsters was having an episode. Initial sympathy and concern quickly faded as I determined he was having a bad hangover day and needs to learn how to manage his drugs and alcohol consumption better!

odd passengers either way

meltdowns

It was a long old journey, but Chrissi assured me we were right to be heading to the jewel of Albania, the Adriatic hidden gem, the Maldives of Europe etc Saranda. The only way to get there in Albania is by land, and you have to traverse the mountainous inland, which did make for some very exhilarating ups and downs, valleys and mountains, rolling landscape. Tried to take that in a bit, but also read my fantasy novel and a downloaded an episode of Panorama on online stalking. Eclectic mix, variety the spice of life.

Just the one stop on our 5 hour journey which had maybe taken an hour longer due to teenage lightweightery and bad traffic. We stopped once in a service station, stocked up on healthy food like crisps and biscuits, just like been on a school trip. Then Chrissi decided to play a game of bus chicken / keep Lloyd on his toes by going to the toilet just as everyone was boarding so I had to keep the driver from moving on.  Right back at you teenage lightweights.

Emerged out of the hills to the coastal vista of Saranda, big resort for sure, and perhaps no longer a hidden gem, but still very beautiful.  A quick cheers drive and a pleasant hand off of various taxi offers, not at all pushy I might add, they seemed surprised we wanted to walk, but happily gave us directions, the right directions!

A one mile rucksack lug along the coast was actually a nice stretch of the legs, albeit quite battleworn as we descended the driveway to our rather exclusive hotel the Buze Boutique!  Beautiful place, private beach,  private views, I think we can see the silhouette of Corfu across the water, and the chic quality probably a bit wasted on me, but I can recognise it when I see it!

No rest for the wicked, was determined to get a run in, and basically retraced the walk we had just done as an out and back 5K to stretch the legs. Knowing that I could then cool off in the hotel pool made it more than bearable, the heat to be honest just right, it felt more oppressive at home before we left.  The sea seemed a little choppy for a swim at full tide, but may take a look over the next few days.

Poolside treats a little pricey (for Albania) so we retired to our own balcony with some supermarket wine and beer, and blogs were written, tales were told, views were absorbed.  Todays 'balcony balkan buze ' (sic) from Kosovo.. Peja ... this might become a thing .. I can always find a thing.  

Post Balkan aperitif and after another long day it was local and fish that were my simple requirements for the evening. Had passed Arjas on both walk and run and it fit the bill perfectly. Family run, simple, near and most importantly table for two when we called, people queuing to get in all night, which I assume is a good thing. I went simple with a juicy shrimp soup and seafood linguine, wholesome, filling, felt like it was cooked as a family meal. Now I do want to be more adventurous with my fish over the next few days but I hate bones and heads, what should be my next step up? An Albanian wine accompanied, the sun set behind me and I felt satisfied with life. Travel is to live, travel is to love. (could be the wine speaking)