We buzzed our hostel at 5:30 am local, not sure if anyone would respond. Rino replied groggily and buzzed us in and greeted us at the top of the stairs. He showed us in, gave us the tour, made tea and offered any help we could need about a million times over. The hostel has a nice view of the harbour area, is a stones throw from the water and is above a Kreperie and internet cafe...perfect. The people here have been very helpful, especially our host, even playing a rendition of Neil Young's Keep on rockin in the Free World. The food is cheap and delicious, the scenery spectacular and the history uncrowded and ready to be explored...no wonder the Greeks don't want you to come here.
After sleeping the morning away (and oh what a sleep!) we boarded a local bus, circa 1980 (never been upgraded, painted...swept...ever) and headed to Butrint about an hours journey along a narrow unpaved road that is currently being upgraded. It was bumpy and the driver gave everyone on the road crews who slowed us down an earful about our pressing schedule! We arrived in Butrint to a cheap admission 700 Lek each, about 6 bucks Canadian for the whole city and the museum. We explored the whole place on our own, including a private admission to the museum. The city founded by Ceasar and continued by Augustus was prominent from about the 1st to 5th century AD. It is an expansive set of ruins which are being excavated and restored. It was easy to read the history at each signed area (not available at the Acropolis). After exploring the ruins on our own we viewed the archeological finds in the museum. I asked about photos and the guard shrugged and gave the go ahea dude shrug. I snapped away only later to be shown by Sas the printed sign saying no photography, Albania is great!
Dinner was another round of Krepes and maybe a beer later. I'll say it again, We are Albania fans!
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