Rough Roads of Albani-ahhh!

Tori’s European Escapade

Summer 2012

August

16/8

Tirana - Albania

The best part of Albania was the roads. If you have seen the Top Gear Christmas Special in Albania, you would have assumed, as I did, that the rough roads of featured on the show were country roads off the main highway. You would be wrong. It was the main highway, and our massive tour bus lumbered and heaved over the potholed tarmac that transitioned suddenly to gravel with no warning, passing old men on donkeys and looming precariously over stunning green landscapes marred by half finished structures that are symbols of the upheaved economy.

We had lunch in the only fast food restaurant in Albania 'Kolonat', which is a blatant Macca's ripoff, and drove down the main street, with buildings covered in bright colours and patterns, in an attempt to rejuvenate the city.

Creepy.

The view from our hostel across the city.