My fourth trip to Albania

It has been almost a year since my last trip. Several ticket reservations and cancellations have had to be made because of the interest rate that has revolutionised the world. We had to leave 24 hours early because we had to reserve time to get the result of the interest rate test.

Googling had told me that PR2you does the test for less than a hundred, which is considerably cheaper than other travel testing companies. The brochure explained that a Luftansa code was required to get the low price, but presenting the ticket on the spot was enough. The result was promised the next morning, but while sipping an evening beer on the hotel terrace, a message about an incoming encrypted message popped up on the phone.

The message contained information about the negative result, which was kindly printed by the hotel staff. Boarding was confirmed and one less thing to worry about.

We stayed at the SkyLine Airport Hotel in Helsinki. I can definitely recommend the hotel. The hotel was so nice that the holiday seemed to start immediately. The hotel had just been renovated; the room was nice and comfortable, friendly staff and a hearty breakfast.

The hotel manager himself was working in reception and parked his white Tesla in the shade next to the main entrance. After a hearty breakfast in the morning, there was plenty of time to relax before the flight. After handing over the room, we visited the Jumbo business centre and had dinner at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon we took a taxi to the airport. The car was left free of charge for two weeks in the hotel car park.

The thunderclouds, coloured red by the sun, were a spectacular sight from the plane window. The announcement warned of turbulence, but fortunately the flight remained steady.

We had a quick exchange in Frankfurt. We made it to the plane in half a run, guided by good signs. The gate opened just as we arrived, hearts racing. After the rush was over, there was time to worry about our bags – whether they would make it to the plane. After ten minutes, my wife chuckled: “They’re already loading your bag”. Soon it was her turn to have her bags picked up.

The announcement said that we would be leaving a little late so that the last bags from the delayed flight could be picked up. In the end, the plane took off half an hour late, but we were in no hurry, so whatever.

Now I’m waiting for the coffee to be served, while the hosts push the trolley down the corridor. Unfortunately, it wasn’t included in the ticket price because they were walking by. Lufthansa now offers a bottle of water and a piece of Lufthansa chocolate on flights.

Finally, our flight landed at Mother Teresa airport in Tirana. After a long day of travelling, our driving senses might not have been in full swing for the traffic in Albania, with the darkness of the night adding its own spice. On the other hand, we were not quite sure whether there would still be a curfew at night in Albania. Hotel Verzaci offered a tried and tested bed and breakfast for 35 euros.

In the morning we marched to rent a car from SurPrice. The same rental agency I had thought about giving up after a very unlucky rental. I had to repair the car at my own expense, which was so expensive that I had to lighten my wallet by just under a tenner. The mental damage was far worse than the Sunday rates at a rural Albanian garage for a good hour’s work.

But now I decided to give this rental company another chance, because an employee of the company assured me on Facebook that they have renewed their cars and their staff in the meantime.

After five days of driving, a variety of problems had appeared: jerking, rattling and clutch failure. It was a bit nervous how the car would cope with climbing the mountains from Vlore to Saranda in 40 degrees Celsius heat.

It took a while for the memory to scream at the engine and slip the clutch. Anyway, I decided that next time I would stick to my decision not to use the services of that rental company.

The first few days of our trip have been very efficiently spent putting the finishing touches to our apartment and getting things done. Today was the first day we had time to start exploring the local area around Vlore and the first time we enjoyed dinner in our own apartment.

The first time, I didn’t get the raw materials right when I decided to go shopping in the city centre in the evening by car. I didn’t remember to take into account that Albanians seem to have nothing to do in the evenings except populate the centre with cars and people.

I bravely turned into the large parking lot, even though I could see that it looked like it was going to be crowded. When I got the front of my car into the exit, my journey was halted because the driver in front of me stopped his car because of the car in front of him. I looked behind me to make sure that if necessary I could back out slowly. However, there was another car stuck in my bumper and there was no room on the sides. Then the noise started, because the culprit had to be found and I was already breaking out in a little sweat. I was stuck in a rented car for which I had not taken out comprehensive insurance. Then the horror set in as the standoff began to unravel. But I didn’t dare do anything. They tried to force their way between me and the car in front. The car in front got a little ahead and I decided to back up a little. My car had no reversing radar and no other fancy features, but I could move back a little. The Albanian young man in front of us flashed by, even though the situation was mission impossible. I was sure I was going to get hit, but no bump.

Then the driver in front of me miraculously managed to turn his car around and the situation began to unravel. I too squeezed myself out of the parking lot and drove home without a snack. All credit to the Albanians for their car handling skills. I couldn’t have done the same.

The Rruga Dhimiter Konomi, which runs under our balcony, is at times quite a busy street and is the main thoroughfare for those coming to Vlore from the south of Saranda. Opposite us is the well-known restaurant Tiku & Mato and the cosy Moon Bar, which is also a popular place to hang out, but is congested with turning traffic on party nights.

Sitting on the balcony for two weeks, we witnessed the rattling of the sheet metal at this traffic junction on a couple of occasions.