Day 2 Intrepid: Shkodër to Fierzë

Early start with tea/coffee at 6:30 a.m. ready to take an early morning transfer to Lake Komani (at 176 m) which is a reservoir on the Drin River in northern Albania.

The minibus trip was approximately 1.5 hours of the most horrendous potholed-road. Murder for my arm.

The scenery - through gritted teeth - was amazing.

At the lake it was chaos. We had just gone through an amazing tunnel through the dam wall and emerged into daylight into a small area with vehicles of all shapes and sizes either disgorging or picking up passengers from boats coming and going amongst vehicles trying to reverse onto ferries. 

From Komani there is a ferry service but we have a private speed-boat. Not sure which I prefer … the smaller boat does give us access to a part of the lake inaccessible to the ferry. We stop for an hour at Blini Park which has a guesthouse and stony beach; enjoy a coffee and a wander. 

Then off again to continue our journey to Fierzë.

The scenery varies from canyons lined with densely forested sides and then wider sections with soaring treeless cliff walls above. The mountains that surround the lake and can reach over 1700 m in height are almost uninhabited, except for the occasional settlement.

One downside is the appalling amount of rubbish in the water - mostly plastic bottles.

 

We waited at Fierzë for our next minibus transfer, the road a million times better than the one this morning. There is the occasional cow (bell around its neck ringing) wandering along the road. And a few speed-bumps to test my patience. 

We turn off in to the Valbonë valley and follow the river of the same name - gushing water over rocks as it descends - the most beautiful milky blue colour. The jagged mountain peaks soar above; there is some snow. Really picturesque.

We drop our bags at the guesthouse and walk down the road to a place for lunch. It is now about 3 p.m.

Then a walk to a small lake after lunch with Eri/Nick (he gets called either …?), a local walking guide. The forest is magical.

Dinner is not until 8:30 p.m, which suits us fine as it gives us a chance for a rest - and a shower (well: if you call a dangerously slippery floor, water either blistering hot or freezing cold, hand-held shower head device that kept reverting to a tap (?) AND I’m only trying to wash about 3 body parts given I’m strapped like a mummy … argh!).

Came downstairs just in time to see the last of the day’s sun on the high peaks. Quite delightful especially fortified by a glass of Skanderbeg (remember! Local hero) cognac.

Electricity went off but dinner still got served. Very nice meal. Too much food. Too late as things turn out. We are stuffed!

We have 2 nights here.

Walked 7 kms.