Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great Day 12

Day 12 - Saturday, October 21, 2017 - Meet With Tirana Local Expert; National History Museum; Communist Regime Discussion; Optional Tour to Dajti Mountain

At 8:30 we gathered in the hotel lobby and walked with Ilir to a nearby coffee shop called Komiteti Kafé. Second only to Italy, Albania has more coffee houses than any other country. We saw hundreds of them in Tirana. The shop was very quaint with the walls and ceilings covered with authentic antiques.

We listened to an historical expert, Eduard Kurtez, an Albanian citizen who was a teacher, filmmaker, guide, and writer. At 75, he was proud to have lived during the two systems, the state socialism of Communism and a democratic capitalist system. He had seen advantages from both worlds.

Although Edi was never a member of the either the Communist Party nor was he active in the democratic revolution, he was a man of the times. He talked about three periods of the country: after independence, during the world wars, and then the road to democratic growth.

His interpretations were very consistent with what Ilir had been telling us. The first free elections were in 1991 and the Albanians hoped finally some changes would be able to take place.

Edi summarized the problems of his country in these statements. There were no strong independent institutions such as congress and the courts. The elections were manipulated. Corruption was rampant in politics and business. Albania had extreme problems in drug and human trafficking.

We had time to ask a few questions and then we thanked this wise gentleman for his thoughts. Ilir took us on a walk to the National History Museum. On the way he pointed out the main highlights of the city center.

We walked by the pyramid monument to Enver Hoxha, the last dictator that was in ruins, the Bell of Peace made from the melted down shells of bullets from 1997, and the red and yellow government buildings.

There was time for us to take photos in Skanderbeg Square of the huge statue of Lord Skanderbeg who was a hero in the Middle Ages, the minaret built in 1821, and the clock tower built in 1822. These three sites were the symbols of the city.

When we went into the National History Museum we learned that we could not take our backpacks or cameras as no photos were allowed. Tasoss was kind enough to take our packs back to the bus.

Ilir walked us through the well-designed collection of the history of Albania. We saw displays beginning with the Pavilion of the Antiquities and we ended with the 1997 war of separation from Communist rule.

There were ten of us who decided to do the afternoon Optional Activity to the top of Dajti Mountain and then back to Tirana to the Bunk’Art Museum. We were able to take the bus to the base of the gondola and then ride for about 20 minutes to the top of the mountain.

Our lunch was at the Ballkoni Dajtit Restaurant where we had tables right next to the windows overlooking the valley below. Ilir said it was usually very clear but today the clouds were moving in and out so it was not a good day for taking panoramic photos.

We did have great views directly below our cabin of the little farmhouses and the footpaths that the local people used to get around the village. After our lunch we rode the gondola back to the city.

Although we did see several adventurous individuals paragliding that looked like fun, we decided to take the safe path and ride the provided transportation. Back on solid footing, at 3:00, we left for the Bunk’Art Museum.

The museum was the anti-nuclear bunker built by Hoxha and the communist government. We walked up an unassuming hill and then started down the 5 floor underground museum that had 106 rooms.

From bedrooms, to communication centers, an auditorium, and long passageways with the ability to survive a chemical or nuclear attack, the bunker was well worth the visit. In many of the rooms were photographs and old films of the communist leaders, parades, battles, and the artillery of the times.

Dinner was on our own tonight, and Anna invited anyone who wished to join her to walk to get an ice cream at 6:30. We could not pass up an opportunity for another dessert so we joined the small group.

Before we had ice cream, we went to a gyro shop and split a wrap and soft drink. Now, time for dessert – yummy and something we could do every evening!

Sunday was another travel day so we came back to our room to repack, organize, and prepare to leave Albania to drive into Macedonia.

And if Albania was not interesting enough…

Albanians believe that a scarecrow placed on a home or other building while it’s under construction will ward off envy from the neighbors. Some also say that these talismans bring good luck.

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-fun-interesting-facts-albania/

Accommodations: ROGNER HOTEL - - - Meal: B