Journey to Albania, explore Butrint, Gjirokaster

--OAT: "Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint was the site of a Greek colony, a Roman City, and a bishopric of the Byzantine Empire. Following a period of prosperity under the Byzantines, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area."

Woke up to rain, thunder and lightning, which continued periodically through the day. Lots of narrow, winding roads down and up through mountain ranges all the way to our destination in Albania. Crossing the border from Greece was fairly seamless… a border patrol policeman came on to the bus and collected our passports. A short time later, we were cleared for crossing and given back our passports… actually, they were given to Basil to give back to us. After a stop at a duty-free store, we continued our journey.

Albania, up until 1991, was a communist country. Much of the country we saw on the way was in disrepair and unfinished architecture. For the most part, the roads were narrow and uneven. Albania is still a country in transition from a socialist state to a more democratic one.

The only tour stop we made was at the the Roman ruins of Butrint. A little over an hour later, we checked into our hotel in Gjirokaster… which we would explore the next day.

Quick Photo Links: Roman Ruins of Butrint