“Albania 🇦🇱 ~Now, Plan B”

• July 9, 2020
• By Pen n Daryl
• 0 Comment

We are expreincing a few stops and starts, here in Boge. BUT, this is a living example how the journey is as important as the destination.

We checked out of our humble homestay “Gjelosh Gegaj” in Boge, fully intending to make it all the way to Theth National Park, and spend at least one night. From Boge, its normally around 2+ hours away. With the current condition of the road, it will, no doubt, take longer. As it was, before today, a bridge was under repair, or being built (not sure which) so the road was closed. We did not understand the whole entire road was being redone. It was way more than a bridge issue.

We only made it about half way, before turning around in the middle of the narrow rocky road, next to the cliff that dropped down like the Grand Canyon. Daryl got out and guided me, to make sure the wheels stayed on the gravel, as there was no shoulder. Four cars were backed up waiting on me. It was a bit nerve wracking. We know for a fact, two of those four cars would not make it to the park, without some damage to the underside, but kudos for anybody giving it a try!

This morning, just before we left, a young couple from Poland had stopped at the Kafe/Bar/Homestay. We enjoyed a conversation with them. They too, were heading to the park. We passed each other as we made our way up, as each of us stopped to get photos. We met them again as we headed back out, and they we going in. We wished them well and hoped they could make it. They did had a mini SUV vehicle with good tires, and a bit more road clearance.

Much further up the road, construction is in full-swing and they are doing a great job, but the road is only passable with a four-wheel drive, or at least a mini SUV with a higher road clearance; good tires being a must. As we got closer to the heavy equipment on the roads, we could see the improvement of the route; up to their point. We came upon a third crew of workers with heavy equipment, and that was as far as we could go. The road was literally torn up with the equipment in the road, blocking traffic from moving. It was a little surprising hearing the locals honking their horns at the gigantic earth movers and their operators, to get outta the way! 😳 (this you would not see in America). In fact, in Americas, the narrow road would be closed to all public traffic, till completion, with this degree of road work going on; the closure would be for the safety of all. We are very familiar with the differences in these types of decisions being made, while in other countries; in these areas, and we find it quite interesting.

The size of the base rock (always needed for building up a solid road) got too large for small cars. We would loose the oil pan or pop tires for sure! As it was, heading back out, the second road crew we came back to had dug a ditch across the road we had crossed. It was no longer passable.The crew pointed to a construction road that went straight down and straight up with loose gravel. We had little choice, if we wanted to get back to the village. Luckily we made it with inches to spare between the equipment and parked rigs of the crew. I sunk into the loose rock and if I would have killed the engine, we would have sunk for sure. Whew!

In time, the road to Theth will be amazing. It may even get paved, but for now, it needs to get worse, before it will get better. And this being a more non-touristy time (due to the pandemic) it really is a perfect time for major road construction.

The Alps are so majestic, and we are determined to get all the way up to the National Park! We did not come all this way north, to quit, now. We are “off the beaten path” type of travels, so we believe if there is a will, there is a way! Before we left the homestay this morning, one of the daughters provided her contact information, just in case we got into a jam and needed assistance. How nice was that? Just another example of the hospitable Albanian people of the north!

After our beautiful drive, but failed attempt with the rental car (with not great tires to boot), we returned to the homestay, with a plan “B” in mind. I think the family of the homestay, fully expected us to return. We were welcomed back with smiles and delicious tea; picked fresh from the mountain.

“Plan B“

We are staying two more nights in beautiful Boge. In the morning at 7AM, we will get back on the road to Theth, but this time with a hired driver and 4×4 vehicle. We will go, up to a 12-hour day, and see as much as we can see; which will be a lot. With a driver (the owner of the homestay), we will have windows that work, and can focus on taking photos and nothing else, as we roll along. Plus, after we arrive we can relish in the Park’s splender.

These Alps are really speaking to both of us!