Bay of Vlore

[caption id="attachment_2275" align="alignnone" width="660"] Bay of Vlore[/caption]

After Dukat, the descent continues to Dukat i Ri (New Dukat), built after World War II and then to Orikum city. In front of us lies the bay of Vlore and down left is the Pasha Liman Naval Base which cannot be seen in this photo. There are some old submarines built with the help of the Russians. It was actually the only Soviet base in the Mediterranean in the 50's.Following the collapse of the Communist regime, the base was rebuilt by Turkey and under a bilateral agreement the Turkish Navy has the right to use it.

The first mountain on the left is the Karaburun peninusla. The farther mountain is Sazan Island, the largest island of Albania, albeit uninhabited. A joint naval force between Italy and Albania stay there, mostly to prevent contraband or immigration (now there is no immigration via boats, since Albania joined Schengen Area).

Gjipe Canyon

[caption id="attachment_2264" align="alignnone" width="660"] Gjipe[/caption]

I couldn't climb down the canyon for better photos but I will definitely do it sometime in the near future. The canyon leads to one of the most beautiful beaches of the Albanian coast. You can't drive down to the beach but there is a walking path which takes some 30 minutes from the parking place. The island seen in the background is the Greek island of Othonoi.

Sunset over Ereikoussa as seen from Saranda

[caption id="attachment_2202" align="alignnone" width="660"] Ereikoussa[/caption]

After a long and tiring day, we finally got back to Saranda to enjoy the sunset from the Castle of Lekures. It's not a castle any more, there is a restaurant on top of the ruins. At least it doesn't look like a cheesy one, it resembles a medieval villa or smth. The view from there is fantastic and everything from Butrinti Lake to Ksamil, Corfu, the bay and Saranda itself, lie on your palm.

No Name Island

[caption id="attachment_2143" align="alignnone" width="660"] No Name Island[/caption]

While it looks like some tropical island, it is actually located in Ksamil, Sarande, opposite Corfu, Greece. I have mentioned it  in my previous posts as well (there are actually 3 islands). The construction that can be seen on the photo is a demolished beach bar. The island it self is a bushy one, you can't walk through it as far as I know. Although the beach here is sandy and white, the island is surrounded by rocks. I think the sand here is brought from somewhere else, you don't find it in the nearby beaches. Also, while the morning feels like paradise, it is quite windy after midday. There are plenty of restaurants though, you can enjoy sea food while the wind caresses your face :D

The best part is that this place is minutes away from the ancient city of Buthrotum. Plenty of photos coming in the next days. :)

Lonely Tree (sort of)

[caption id="attachment_2139" align="alignnone" width="660"] Lonely Tree[/caption]

This tree is found on one of the three islands of Ksamil. The island is quite small and covered in bushes but this tree sort of tried to get away. To reach the island you can swim, it's like 50m from the shore. There used to be a bar there but the local government demolished it (and it was a great decision).

Peristeres Pharos

[caption id="attachment_2136" align="alignnone" width="660"] Peristeres Pharos[/caption]

This is the Peristeres (Pigeons) Lighthouse. It is somewhere between Ksamil and Corfu and it was built by the British during their rule of the Ionian islands, circa 1828. The first light may have been a simple column holding a beacon. It signaled the entrance to the narrow passage between Corfu and the mainland. By 1872 the beacon needed to be replaced and a sturdy stone tower was built. Unfortunately, the 1982 lighthouse is now in ruins due to earthquakes and attacks by German bombers during World War II. Still the Hellenic Lighthouse Service keeps a small modern beacon on the site.

/Source/

Troubled Sunset

[caption id="attachment_1410" align="alignnone" width="950"] Troubled Sunset[/caption]

Zvernec Monastery

[caption id="attachment_1355" align="alignnone" width="681"] Zvernec Monastery[/caption]

Boat

[caption id="attachment_1227" align="alignnone" width="950"] Boat[/caption]

Sazan

[caption id="attachment_840" align="alignnone" width="950"] Sazan[/caption]