Tuesday 3 October … Shkoder, Albania

From trepidation to elation …

Another early morning and up with the alarm. A bus at 7.30am to Shkoder. Giving the lady in the ticket office a fit that we want to take our bikes, however we convince the driver that the bikes can fit by removing the front wheel. All good and we are off.

Some serious mountains we are climbing with the most spectacular views of the coast before we head inland.

We stop to pick and let down at Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. A very big town, lots of modern apartment living. Then very flat country with vineyards and orchards.

A border crossing as we enter Albania, same as before, out of bus, passport check, not even a stamp, back in bus, 200m then ditto.

The bus trip took 3.5hrs, the border crossing took about 45 minutes. All of a sudden the bus driver calls ‘Shkoder’ … just after we pass by a gypsy camp … eekkkk! We hurry to get panniers and bikes assembled.

‘OMG … what have I done’, I’m thinking. The driver pointed back down the road to say the ‘centre’ was in that direction. Back past the gypsies … fingers crossed that the centre was better. A cafe to get a coffee and internet. Nice guy says 3km further is centre, I look up Google for centre reviews. WHEW!!! likened to the Caribbean and city of bikes.

So off we go with a bit more spring in my wheels towards the centre, mind you I have no idea what the Carribean is like.

The closer to the centre, the more enchanting this town becomes, the streets are decoratively paved and tree lined, lovely bars, cafes, and restaurants.

So … bikes are plentiful; locals commuting of all ages, bike lanes on the road; drivers/cyclists/pedestrians all work in harmony and not to mention the dogs.

Dogs also have a place in the community in this town, they are ear tagged, vaccinated and sterilised by the council, fed by the restaurants and wander around the streets, just like the cats of Kotor.