Waiting for the sunrise

[caption id="attachment_2343" align="alignnone" width="660"] Waiting for the sunrise[/caption]

After a long, cold and very windy night, we woke up too early (we barely slept to be sincere).



Now I understand why old Egyptians worshiped the Sun. It warms your body and soul, it warms your heart.

[caption id="attachment_2341" align="alignnone" width="660"] Our Tents[/caption]

We had built two tents, a large one and a smaller one. At the large one we were laying down like sardines. I had brought an air mattress with my but I forgot to bring a pump to fill it up. I tried with my lungs but it was an impossible task. Needless to say, we slept on the ground. It wasn't that cold because we had brought blankets and warm clothes but the main problem was the wind. It wasn't constantly windy, there were moments of absolute silence too. At some point, in the middle of the night, the guy next to me wakes up and says: Nick, Nick, there is someone outside!!! I knew there was no one outside because I wasn't sleeping at all. He heard some noise and mistook it as someone walking by... We didn't get outside to check though, no one was man enough.

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...

Garbage Train

[caption id="attachment_2232" align="alignnone" width="660"] Garbage Train[/caption]

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).

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

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