Day 74: Debar to Shumat Albania, Dibra Camping

April 30, 2023

Big hills and Camping

“The coffee is on the house,” Patrick says after stopping for coffee after one of the big hills. “He says because ‘this is Albania,’”

At 7am, Patrick joins Luciana and Todd at the garage to retrieve the bikes. They are off earlier than us. But soon we are on the road as well heading back to the border into Albania. We only had a few days cycling in North Macedonia, and Patrick had figured out the money needed and with nothing left to exchange.

It’s a quick ride to the border, and an easy crossing back into Albania.

Today’s distance is short with 700 meter elevation gain. Patrick says, “Take one switchback at a time.” When we reach Peshkopi, the goal is to find a shop to buy supplies. The streets are busy. We ride down the big Pedestrian mall, find a money exchange and with some trouble an open grocery shop. The shopping list is for Spaghetti Bolognese. The store has the spaghetti and meat but no fresh vegetables. Patrick finds a market for onion and green pepper. In Debar, we spent the last of North Macedonia denar on sauce and granola.

When we entered Albania at Durres, there was no Welcome to Albania sign....so as we leave North Macedonia and enter Albania a second time, here is the sign.

Back into Albania need to money exchange

Last big town before we reach the camping spot, so we pick up supplies for the day and dinner.

We continue on still climbing a couple of friendly kids joke with Patrick about exchanging bikes. Further on though, there is gang of four boys on bikes that are not as friendly, one tries to block Rachel from passing. Finally, we see the big mosque on the hill that Patrick recognized from other’s blogs and know we are close to the campground.

These kids were friendly, around the corner, there was a gang of 4 boys on bikes where one tried to block Rachel from passing

In the Balkans, they love to wash their cars

Camping is $5 per person, there is block house with hot shower and toilet, the restaurant sells beer. We have cheese and crackers, then stretch out in the tent until dinner time. This is only the second time camping, we thought that we would have been doing more of it. With either no campgrounds, or cheap accommodation easily available it has not made much sense to try and camp so far.

View from campsite in the other direction, the direction we head tomorrow.

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Today's ride: 40 km (25 miles)
Total: 2,636 km (1,637 miles)

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Lori LewisThat Patrick, he's a handy guy to have around... He figures out the route, he carries extra stuff, he goes out to get beers, etc AND he calculates how much money is needed,!we always seem to have too much money left. The one time in China we did almost exact calculations, at the airport we had to go get more money to pay the exit fee which at that time could only be paid in cash. So we're wondering if he is available for our Berlin to Venice trip.. 🙄🙂
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