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#119 Leaving the European abroad

Imechapishwa: 07.05.2022

April 30 - May 1, 2022: Korça, Pëmet


When leaving a foreign country within the EU, crossing the border is always something exciting for me. Depending on the country, border officials can come up with very interesting things to either take money or time from you, based on my own experience (Southeast Asia). However, this was not the case at the eastern border crossing between Greece and Albania. On the Greek side, our passports were quickly scanned and on the Albanian side, we only had to wait briefly for the border officer to enter our passport and car insurance data into her computer. In both cases, we were allowed to sit in the car and overall, it wasn't busy. There was only one car ahead of us at the border counter. It only got exciting again at the last station. The colleagues from Frontex asked us, with the help of the Albanian border police, to open our trunk. I had opened the two wing doors and moved the curtains aside just enough so that there was a good view inside our van, when they said again: Everything is fine, you can close it again. All in all, a very relaxed border crossing.

In Albania, we first headed to a paid parking space in Korça. They offered an all-inclusive package. Pay once and everything is included. Even washing and good wifi were included. After putting the laundry in the machine, we went to the ATM and withdrew some lekë. Besides the foreign currency, we also needed an Albanian SIM card. We found one in Korça, and so we were well-equipped for traveling in European abroad the next day.

Horse with wooden saddle
Horse with wooden saddle
There are always slow traffic participants on the road.
There are always slow traffic participants on the road.
Shepherds in <a href="/sw/destination/59535652c194291e7d82c1d4/albania" target="_blank">Albania</a> can have up to 3 cows. However, there is no limit on the number of sheep and goats.
Shepherds in Albania can have up to 3 cows. However, there is no limit on the number of sheep and goats.

Research in advance had shown that the main roads in Albania are now all well-developed. However, as soon as you leave these roads, it can get very bumpy. The road from the border to Korça was in perfect condition. The road out of Korça was also a sealed road. But after about 20km, the sealed surface disappeared. The sides of the two-lane road were full of potholes and frequently collapsed. After that, the remaining asphalt also disappeared and we found ourselves on a very bumpy gravel road that went through the Albanian mountains with very narrow curves and a lot of uphill and downhill. From now on, the maximum speed with our 3.5-ton and non-off-road suitable vehicle was 30km/h. After 2 hours, both us and our car were completely shaken. But we had overcome SH75 and were back on the paved SH80, which took us to Pëmet and the hot springs.

Scenic view of the last wild river in Europe (Vjosë).
Scenic view of the last wild river in Europe (Vjosë).
Here the asphalt is in poor condition, but still present.
Here the asphalt is in poor condition, but still present.
Transition from asphalt road to gravel road.
Transition from asphalt road to gravel road.
On the left, the old asphalt road has slid a bit, so the new path is on the right.
Bumpy road with a view
Bumpy road with a view
Luckily, the slope on the left side has not slid further.
Luckily, the slope on the left side has not slid further.
Sealed road, yay! But pretty narrow with oncoming traffic.
Sealed road, yay! But pretty narrow with oncoming traffic.
A bush on two legs.
A bush on two legs.
Brand new and sealed road - a pleasant feeling for all limbs.
Brand new and sealed road - a pleasant feeling for all limbs.

When we arrived at the hot springs, it started raining, which had been happening more frequently in the last two days, so we initially only went on a small exploration tour. However, the rain did not prevent the many locals from bathing in the large pool of the hot spring. However, it didn't stop raining until it got dark, so we decided to enter the 22°-28° Celsius warm water the next morning. The next morning, not only had the rain disappeared, but so had the many locals. We had the pool all to ourselves and enjoyed the warm water.

An old stone bridge from the Ottoman Empire leads to the pool of the hot spring.
An old stone bridge from the Ottoman Empire leads to the pool of the hot spring.
The bridge was temporarily closed - except for goats.
The bridge was temporarily closed - except for goats.
These shades of blue are simply beautiful. ;-)
These shades of blue are simply beautiful. ;-)
Swimming in the rain!
Swimming in the rain!
The water temperature in the evening and morning is warmer than the ambient temperature - fully steamed!
The water temperature in the evening and morning is warmer than the ambient temperature - fully steamed!
The pool is well filled in the early evening.
The pool is well filled in the early evening.
The gorge behind the hot spring.
The gorge behind the hot spring.

In light drizzle, we explored the very small but beautiful town of Pëmet in the afternoon. In Albania, if public holidays fall on a Sunday, they are moved to the following Monday. So when we strolled through the streets on May 2, the cafes and restaurants in Pëmet were packed. But apparently, the holiday does not apply to all professional groups, as road workers were fully present at the construction sites.

Giant rocks and mosque in Pëmet
Giant rocks and mosque in Pëmet
Quickly buy bread and take a look at Pëmet.
Quickly buy bread and take a look at Pëmet.


Day 198 - Overall tour 15,348 km


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