Fog

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]

Dhembel Mountain

[caption id="attachment_2417" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dhembel Mountain[/caption]

My older brother, enjoying the view. I'm inside this abandoned shop, on the crossroad to Delvine. It smelled like shit inside but I had to "get my hands dirty" to get this fantastic photo.

We're still on the Muzine's neck, looking around and taking pics. Sometimes I think why don't we leave the car and walk up to those fields? Why don't we sit under those trees and enjoy the sunset? If I ever win some sort of lottery, I know what I'm gonna do with my free time. I'm going to be the next Johnnie Walker.

Dark Horses

[caption id="attachment_2120" align="alignnone" width="950"] Dark Horses[/caption]

When you cross from Gjirokaster to Saranda there is only one way for the moment, the Muzine's neck. There are some hard turns and when you reach the peak, the view is amazing. There are  mountains all around but there is the sea in front of you, albeit far away. It was afternoon and we had the sun in front of us, hence the silhouettes. Those horses are not wild, there are no wild horses in Albania. They run free though, there is nowhere to go and they have plenty of grass where they are. There are no houses near, only a gas station and a bar-restaurant. Great place for a stop, especially for bikers (or photographers).

Gline

[caption id="attachment_2114" align="alignnone" width="950"] Gline[/caption]

Gline is the name the most famous naturally sparkling water spring in Albania. The huge building is the water processing plant, while the village of the same name sits on the Wide Mountain's steps. So, imagine two mountains forming some sort of channel in between. There lies the Dropull plateau... The surrounding area has quite a few interesting sights to visit. The Church of The Cross in Labove, Ali Pashe Tepelena's castle in Libohove (it was for his sister though, Shanisha), the ruins of the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, city of Gjirokaster and other things mentioned in my previous posts.

Dervican

[caption id="attachment_2111" align="alignnone" width="950"] Dervican[/caption]

Dervican is the next village after Lazarat. The most famous Greek minority political organization was founded there, Omona.

I knew a couple of girls from Dervican when I used to live in Athens. They played it so hard to get that now that I think about it, I wonder if our patience had any limits. Nothing happened in the end. :P

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]

Windowless Window

[caption id="attachment_2095" align="alignnone" width="950"] Windowless Window[/caption]

I took the path to the water pump. There was a guy in front of me.  I followed him until he disappeared behind the trees.   The pumps building was stripped from everything and it was kinda spooky. I took a couple of photos and got back to my wife.

Gjirokastër Castle

[caption id="attachment_2086" align="alignnone" width="950"] 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. ;)

Viroi, Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_2081" align="alignnone" width="660"] 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.

Prosthesis

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

Tunnel

[caption id="attachment_2075" align="alignnone" width="660"] 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. 

Cobbled street in Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_2072" align="alignnone" width="660"] 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.

Muzine, Gjirokaster

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

Stone City

[caption id="attachment_1977" align="alignnone" width="950"] Stone City[/caption]

Gjirokaster

[caption id="attachment_1315" align="alignnone" width="950"] Gjirokastra[/caption]

Gjirokaster Mosque

[caption id="attachment_1158" align="alignnone" width="680"] Gjirokaster Mosque[/caption]