Sunday, August 31, 2014

Gjirokastër Castle

[caption id="attachment_2086" align="alignnone" width="950"]Gjirokastër Castle Gjirokastër Castle[/caption]

The castle of Gjirokaster is a great fortress in a very strategic position, overlooking the city of Gjirokaster. It is one of the biggest castles of Albania and to my knowledge, one of the best preserved. It has been used as a prison during the last century, has a weapons museum at the main entrance and there is also an American plane inside (Lockheed T-33), albeit  the skeleton nowadays.  Wikipedia says it was a spy plane that had to do a forced landing in Rinas, Tirane but there are doubts about this version. The castle offers a fantastic view but be prepared to pay a ticket (around 3-5$) at the entrance if they see you carrying a professional or professionally looking camera. They don't check you inside if you've paid that ticket so as long as you have it in your bag during entrance, you'll be fine. ;)

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Viroi, Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_2081" align="alignnone" width="660"]Virua Viroi[/caption]

Viroi is some sort of small and shallow lake, fed by mountain waters during raining season and sometimes becomes dry during summer. The photo on Google Maps shows it as dry actually. The old building seen here used to be a water pump. You can actually walk up there. Behind the building there is a large and deep hole with crystal clear water. Kinda scary, even though you can clearly see the bottom (around 20m ~ 30m deep). On the lake (not shown in this photo), there is a small artificial island with a restaurant on top. It's a great place for a coffee if you pass by.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Prosthesis

[caption id="attachment_2079" align="alignnone" width="660"]Prosthesis Prosthesis[/caption]

Thursday, August 28, 2014

We Speak English

[caption id="attachment_2077" align="alignnone" width="660"]We Speak English We Speak English[/caption]

They speak English, you can't deny that, can you? ;)

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tunnel

[caption id="attachment_2075" align="alignnone" width="660"]Tunnel Tunnel[/caption]

This tunnel is on the side of the previous cobbled street. Looks like some sort of extension but there is a sign at the entrance which says Dead End. It goes under the castle of Gjirokastra but the funny thing is that the pavement is cobbled while the walls and ceiling are made of cement. Perhaps a latter reconstruction during the communism era. There are anti-nuclear tunnels under the castle, with many facilities like conference room, cinema etc... Since July 2014 those are open to public. 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Cobbled street in Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_2072" align="alignnone" width="660"]Cobbled street in Gjirokaster Cobbled street in Gjirokaster[/caption]

Gjirokaster or Argyrokastro (Silver Castle), as the Greek call it, is also called The Stone City. Distinctive features are roofs of stone tiles and cobbled streets. The old part of the city has won the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. My grandparents from my father's side are from Gjirokaster actually.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Muzine, Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_2068" align="alignnone" width="660"]Muzine, Gjirokaster Muzine, Gjirokaster[/caption]

Muzine is a small village between Sarande and Gjirokaster. Down the slope flows the river that feeds Blue Eye. The village has great architecture and there are some ruins of very old churches. The view from where I'm standing is fantastic from all sides. 

[caption id="attachment_2070" align="alignnone" width="660"]Muzine Muzine[/caption]

Sunday, August 24, 2014

St. Nicholas Monastery Church, Mesopotam

[caption id="attachment_2066" align="alignnone" width="660"]St. Nicholas Monastery Church, Mesopotam St. Nicholas Monastery Church, Mesopotam[/caption]

A very old church in a very great scenic location. I couldn't get closer but next time I may pay it a visit. From where I was standing, it looked like some valley in Toscana.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Long-jawed orbweaver Tetragnatha

[caption id="attachment_2064" align="alignnone" width="660"]Tetragnatha Tetragnatha[/caption]

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Nice a**

[caption id="attachment_2061" align="alignnone" width="660"]Nice a** Nice a**[/caption]

This cat was another inhabitant of the small hotel beside Blue Eye Spring. Gender confirmation needed. I hope it's a she, otherwise I'll have to change the post title :D

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Rottweiler

[caption id="attachment_2059" align="alignnone" width="660"]Rottweiler Rottweiler[/caption]

Inside the forest there was this two floor coffee shop. The dog stood chained on top of that bridge and checked us from head to toe. I guess they keep it for the bears, if there are any bears left around that area... 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Blue Eye Spring

[caption id="attachment_2057" align="alignnone" width="660"]Blue Eye Spring Blue Eye Spring[/caption]

Went there with my family during June. It has become like a ritual in the last years. People should maintain it better but still it's in a quite good condition. If you happen to travel around South Albania, don't miss it. If you've got any questions, please let me know. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

[caption id="attachment_2054" align="alignnone" width="660"]Beautiful Demoiselle (Female) Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)[/caption]

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

[caption id="attachment_2051" align="alignnone" width="660"]Beautiful Demoiselle (Male) Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)[/caption]

Friday, August 15, 2014

Above the clouds

[caption id="attachment_2045" align="alignnone" width="660"]Above the clouds Above the clouds[/caption]

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Another Butterfly

[caption id="attachment_2042" align="alignnone" width="660"]Another Butterfly Another Butterfly[/caption]

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

My Preciousss!!!

[caption id="attachment_2039" align="alignnone" width="660"]My Preciousss!!! My Preciousss!!![/caption]

Monday, August 11, 2014

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Waiting in the shadow

[caption id="attachment_2034" align="alignnone" width="950"]Waiting in the shadow Waiting in the shadow[/caption]

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Super Moon

[caption id="attachment_2031" align="alignnone" width="950"]Super Moon Super Moon - Hello from Albania[/caption]

Friday, August 8, 2014

Young and Curious

[caption id="attachment_2028" align="alignnone" width="950"]Young and Curious Young and Curious[/caption]

Thursday, August 7, 2014

This is a river actually

[caption id="attachment_2025" align="alignnone" width="950"]This is a river actually This is a river actually[/caption]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0680948,20.4233158,13108m/data=!3m1!1e3

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Abandoned communism era hotel in Kukes, Albania

[caption id="attachment_2022" align="alignnone" width="950"]Abandoned communism era hotel in Kukes, Albania Abandoned communism era hotel in Kukes, Albania[/caption]

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Chimney

[caption id="attachment_2019" align="alignnone" width="950"]Chimney Chimney[/caption]

The story behind this picture is sad. The chimney is the sole remain of an old factory where they used to produce acid of some sort. The factory worked in full capacity during communism era. The grassy area you see on the mountain slope is the reachable area by the fumes. That's why no bushes grow there. :(

Monday, August 4, 2014

Raki

[caption id="attachment_2016" align="alignnone" width="950"]Raki Raki[/caption]

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Door

[caption id="attachment_2013" align="alignnone" width="950"]Door Door[/caption]

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Friday, August 1, 2014

Downtown Skopje

[caption id="attachment_2007" align="alignnone" width="950"]Downtown Skopje Downtown Skopje[/caption]