Dervican, Gjirokaster, Albania

[caption id="attachment_2423" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dervican[/caption]

Early Morning

[caption id="attachment_2420" align="alignnone" width="660"] Early Morning[/caption]

Dukat Village

[caption id="attachment_2272" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dukat Village[/caption]

After Dhermi the distance between the road and the seaside widens, there are a couple more small villages and then begins the difficult ascent of Llogara Pass. It takes some 45 minutes to reach the top and the road is beautiful. There are some side pockets where you can stop to take photos and enjoy the scenery. Llogara is a protected national park. Along the road are several restaurants, hotels, and a small wooden cabin complex. Prices are quite reasonable and everything is delicious. The main specialty is lamb or young goat. After each meal, we often order yogurt (they produce it there) or apples baked in honey, walnuts and cinnamon.

After Llogara Pass the road descends toward Pashaliman Bay, via Orikum city. The village shown in the photo is Dukat, a very famous one. When Julius Caesar tried to fight Pompeus, he asked help from people there. It has a strategic position and it hasn't been always a village. Funfact: The word Ducat is associated with a gold or silver coin. According to a historian, the name of the village comes from this very coin. What we know for sure is that the people of this village have been famous through time for their wealth...

Dhermi Village

The village of Dhermi, on the side of a mountain overlooking the Ionian sea. The beach at the feet of the mountain is one of the best in Albania. Beware of the prices though, very expensive for Albanian standards. The last years it hasn't been that clean as well. Garbage all around and trash bins full, if you managed to find any. Let's hope it will be better next year. The government is spending a lot to improve Albania's image and tourism income.

At least we know where the gold is.

[caption id="attachment_2107" align="alignnone" width="797"] At least we know where the gold is.[/caption]

This photo is taken in a crucial moment for the village down below. It is Lazarat, the famouse marijuana heaven in Albania. They were  surrounded by 800 police officers for about a week until their leader was caught and the rest ran toward the mountains. Some of them were armed with mortars and RPGs while the rest had Kalashnikovs and 12.7 mm anti-aircraft guns. There were 2 post blocks on the national road, one in the entrance and one at the exit (the village lies beside the national road) and you could hear the bullets till Gjirokaster. We picked the wrong day to visit Gjirokaster but it was worth it. Good times were had.

[caption id="attachment_2108" align="alignnone" width="950"] Lazarat[/caption]