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Late lazy start in the summery spring sea heat of Durrës. Although I did begin by climbing a big ass hill with all my bags. I had a wonderful overview of the city,  the great coastal valley to the mountains on the background, and the Mediterannean. There, in the middle of the built-up seaside, on a small patch of grass, an old guy was watching over his goats and two cows. Surreal sight.

I had a nice lunch on the coast, and headed up to the bus station. Following Tatiana’s advices and now relieved to have taken the Albanian train, I went there without having nay idea when the bus will be, but it was just super easy. Just ask around, find the bus, climb aboard, pay a couple euros and boom, done. Balkans’ travel is infernal to plan… because it is not meant to be. Transports here are mostly informal. You just get there and hope there’s a bus.

Once arrived at the bus terminal, I didn’t see where the city bus to Tirana center was, so I just decided to walk there. It ended up being quite a hike, in the sweltering hot, with all my gears on the back.

I finally arrived and couldn’t find how to get into the airbnb, so i had to use a bit of data, hoping it wouldn’t be too expensive… You see, with my phone provider, Free, I have way enough data in every countries I visit on this trip, except four: Moldova (remember the 60 € bill?), Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Andorra (are you kidding me?). Oh well!

Now I’m in, and I fell half asleep in the afternoon, waiting for Kamel’s arrival later in the evening. We met on Tirana’s central square, and went for some good dinner.

Finally a friend (that I know from before this trip) to be with me, the first since Duha left on 25th March. That was a long month alone, and I’m glad he did the effort to join! Kamel, welcome to my World.