Shkoder
Albania
Shkodër reminds me more of a bustling South American city. It’s messy, noisy, bathed in an unforgiving sun, and its architecture is strongly anchored in the 90s, with hints of modernity in the centre.
The food is rather cheap, but the exchange rate from euro to lek is quite poor. However, I am not here for sightseeing: my friend has suggested that we visit the Valbonë Valley, passing through Theth (which we’ll reach by bus) and hiking through the Valbonë Pass (+1170 m of elevation gain, one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever had to do, especially with a 17kg backpack to make things even more challenging).
I need hiking equipment, and this city better provide it.
I’m not particularly in love with this city, and yet it seems I am coming back to it more often than I’d like. If it wasn’t for an errand I had to run before leaving for the south, I probably would’ve kept going directly towards Tirana. It’s very warm here, even in the evening, and I am already starting to miss the clean, fresh mountain air.
I will be leaving tomorrow for Sarandë to meet with a friend, so there is good news!
The Balkan Crawl
Visited 2 times