After this experience we drive a little further, to reach the border with Albania. Here, too, the customs officers are easy and friendly, shortly after the border we find a quiet one on Lake Skadar, nice place. There is also a nice restaurant, after all the adrenaline today we treat ourselves to a delicious meal with a good house wine.
first meeting in Albania 
Evening mood on Lake Skadar
In the morning we are greeted by cows, Sheep and pigs awakened, all of them stalking curiously around our car. Frodo and Quappo are very irritated, they are particularly uneasy about the cows. In the next place, Koplik, let's replenish our supplies, Exchange money and buy a calling card. Since today is Sunday, we are curious, if we can do it all. But that's probably not a problem here, all the shops are open and we get everything, what we wanted to get. Armed in this way, we set off first for the Albanian Alps in the north. Again we are on an insane serpentine road, However, there is hardly any traffic here and so the route can be driven more relaxed. Shortly after the pass we turn off and find a small bay next to the road, in which we can spend the night. Since only a few vehicles get lost here, can we have a quiet night. Hans-Peter makes a nice fire and our grill grate is used for the first time.
At breakfast in the morning, the milk comes fresh to the table: we have another visitor from 2 curious cows. Apparently we are on their way and they are confused by the monster, that suddenly stands in the way.
Our journey continues to Tamare, there we want to get hiking maps for the area. I stand in front of the information center, disappointed: they are open from Wednesday to Sunday, but today is monday. So we just continue without a map and look for a place in the mini-village of Lepushe. We hike straight ahead and come to a beautiful plateau, Frodo and Quappo have a lot of fun and romp around like crazy .
that's where we want to go 
We drink a Tirana in the only pub in town, afterwards we fall into bed tired. The next day we hike towards Vermosh, on the way back an old farmer invites us, to come to him. He'll bring us grapes right away, Figs and tomatoes, in return he wants a few kisses from me – a funny and also a little strange experience. After just under 15 Kilometers we end up again at a Tirana in the village pub. Quappo has since made friends with the village dog Buddy and invited him to dinner.
without words 
North Albanian Alps
When looking out the window in the early morning (today is 15.09.) we see the sun shine in all its glory. Without further ado, we change our plans and decide, to stay here in the valley for another day. We change our location a little and drive around 10 Kilometers further to the last village in the valley. Vermosh, so the name of the little village, We like it even better than Lepushë – it's beautiful in a big one, wide valley and there is even a small village center here. Lt. Our travel guide should start a nice hike across the border to Montenegro from here – so we go on a search and actually find this way.
The route is initially very well marked, but suddenly there is almost no path anymore. Everything is overgrown, apparently no one has passed here in the last few months. Before leaving, we downloaded the Komoot hiking app, it is now being used correctly for the first time and is proving to be very helpful. Without the technical assistant we would probably not have found the way. It's still over a small pass, until we actually have the lake in front of us. However, it is very far down and we don't feel like it anymore, to run to the shore. To 5 1/2 Hours and close 20 We are all done kilometers, park Henriette on the next bank of the river and put your feet up.
Bunker, that are everywhere here 
Rikavac Lake 
cooling down 
Mud bath taken 🙂
The next day we are woken up by the sun again and we use the perfect spot with running water, to do a little laundry – Must be also !
After our work is done, we drive back from the beautiful valley – the weather forecasts for the mountains are miserable for the next few days, it should 5 Take long rains – that's not fun ?? So we need to rethink our travel plans, we choose, to go further south. Since we've already spent half the day doing our housework, let's look for a place in Skhodar. I find a restaurant, where you should be able to eat deliciously and stand well – that is our next goal. The return journey via the SH20 inspires us as much as the outward journey, the pass road is just awesome. Lt. With my map, we don't even have to go through town, but stay in a suburb – the card did not show, of course, that the streets are brutally narrow again and the telephone lines and branches are very narrow, are very low. It's exciting and at a bottleneck (right construction worker, left tree, plus 10 people, who stand around and look) it cracks on our roof ??
View of Skhodar 
In fact, the restaurant has a nice parking space and we look forward to dinner. Unfortunately nobody speaks a word of English, but it turns out, that there is only one meal here anyway: grilled lamb steaks with french fries and salad. It tastes great and we let the evening end with satisfaction.
Our water indicator is red, we absolutely have to find a watering hole: there should be a tap nearby. On the way we happened to pass the Ura e Mesit bridge and the Rozafa castle – so the cultural program is already done. The water point is found, a lot of Albanians fetch water canisters here – at our request it is explained to us, that the water out 800 Meter depth comes and should be very good.
So, now we are self-sufficient again and continue to drive relaxed to Dürres. Our GPS does not have the new streets in this city yet and so we drive 5 times back and forth – we go around in circles for at least an hour – the mood in the cockpit is accordingly irritable and the mood in the basement. Finally we navigate ourselves and come with us 1,5 Hours delay at our location. Here we find a very long sandy beach, which, however, is incredibly littered (we're used to it now, but it always frightens you). First of all, Hans-Peter goes to the roof, to look at yesterday's damage: the outside lamp is torn off and the branch deflector is loose – this is how the drill is used for the first time !! Meanwhile, the boys romp in the sand, however annoying here so strange, aggressive mosquitoes – injury.
Street dog Herbert
Today is Saturday, the 18.09. and our journey continues south. There is a lot to see on the way, the contrasts are impressive: there are really chic ones, modern Hotels, Restaurants and bars, But then there is a cow or goat on the lawn in front of it ?? In addition, the mountains of rubbish are piling up, then there are dilapidated and almost dilapidated buildings – everything next to each other.
The shell is used as a stable 
Cow truck 
whether that will still be something ?
After around 130 Kilometers we get to Vlora, a seaside resort for the Albanians. We assume that, that now in September there isn't much going on on the beach – but we are wrong this time !! At the end of a headland, after 5 Kilometers of slopes, we see loads of large vehicles and hear loud music – there is probably a techno evening ??? We put our Henriette on the beach at a considerable distance from this spectacle, however, we hear the music all night. After a magnificent sunset, we end the day around a campfire – Is there anything more beautiful !!
Herd of goats on the beach 🙂
The night was pretty loud, the bass, We heard the waves and the wind all night. But thank God there is quiet on Sundays and we enjoy a nice day at the beach. Time, to upload a few photos again and continue writing the blog.
Here you can walk nicely in the pine forests, Our boys love forest floors. Quappo and Frodo seem to have discovered an oil well somewhere, they have to go back into the sea first, the feet need to be scrubbed off.
A day at the beach is dangerous: Hans-Peter was bitten by a nasty mosquito and a jellyfish caught me: now we both have red pustules on our arm, the cortisone ointment has to go. In the evening we sit around the campfire with Thomas from Fürth, his dog Diego and a couple from Austria, who are traveling with a small car and tent. It will be a very nice and interesting evening, we stay outside, until the fire is down.
On Monday, the 20.09., we have a lot of program ahead of us: we want to go to the only laundromat in Albania, then we have to go shopping, need water and a new Vodafone card. Also, let's go into town: first we experience bankruptcy: the gas station, where there is supposed to be water, explains to us, that they have no water. We find a little way on the map, to get into town from there – we are already in the middle of chaos: the street is getting narrower and the lines are so low here, that we can barely fit under. At one point a cable threads into our branch deflector ! So go back slowly- and drive up again, to do this, carefully lift the cord with the help of a water bottle – repeat the whole thing a few times – honking behind us meanwhile 7 Autos, who want to pass !!! At some point we actually make it back to the main road – meanwhile sweaty.
Our nerves have calmed down, we find a Vodafone store (who, however, cannot sell anything at the moment, since he has no internet :)) and finally the laundromat. Here we pack a machine full and while the laundry is being brought into shape, I go shopping in all the shops next door. After all, we have everything together, the laundry is also completely dry, Water filled up and we escape the chaotic city traffic. There is a coffee break on a river bank, the beds are freshly made and we are completely relaxed again. From here we want to drive an off-road route, which we found in our tour book of the purple piste cow. We can easily find entry to the route, you're ready to go. The road is still paved for the first few kilometers, then we find ourselves on bumpy ground.
The route leads beautifully along the mountain with a great view of the river Vjosë. We hop slowly uphill, until we close 600 m have reached the highest point.
Up here you will find a super nice place to stay in total silence. We quickly make a nice campfire and enjoy the solitude. At night we are woken up by horses, galloping past our car, then from cows, who discovered us and finally from a pack of dogs, who is probably playing catch here.
After a leisurely breakfast, we set off on the 2. Part of the route – after a total of around 30 Kilometers off-road we come back on asphalt shortly before Tepelena. The boys were a little tense while they were hopping, now they can recover.
After we passed through Tepelena, we come across the broad road to Gjirokastër. On the way we can fill up the water supplies – here tons of water come straight from the mountain ?? We take a closer look at Girokastër, this city impresses with its unique cityscape: striking, Stone houses resembling small fortresses characterize the quarter around the castle, the roofs are made of stone slabs from the nearby mountains. We climb the huge fortress and have a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Water straight from the mountain 
A
We cannot find a parking space here, so we have to go a little further. Our goal for today is “Syri I Kater”, the blue eye. We can park Henriette in the parking lot and it will be dark soon. Just before we want to go to sleep (it is 22.30 clock), an excavator and truck rattle past us. Immediately afterwards we hear a deafening noise: a chainsaw is in use and as we can see the next day, At night a tree was simply cut down and made small (he was probably in the way of construction).
The next morning we hurry up, that we can take a few photos in front of the arriving tourist buses – we are lucky, there are only a few visitors.
The water here comes out of a spring pot under very high pressure (6 Cubic meter / s), the exact depth of which has not yet been explored. Due to the light limestone, the water has a deep blue color in the sunlight – is really a special phenomenon.
For breakfast we look for a quiet place by the river, then we continue the route to Ksamil. We are back on the Adriatic, however, we don't like the hustle and bustle here so much. So we jet along the coast with Henriette, until we find a wonderful spot right on the beach in Borsh. Nothing is going on here anymore, all the beach bars are already closed, there are only a few mobile homes and tents left here. Frodo is annoyed by a nasty mosquito, Without further ado, he gets Hans-Peter's T-shirt put on. He is satisfied with that and can make himself comfortable under Henriette.
After a long walk on the beach (this is probably the longest beach in Albania with around 6 Kilometers) we can still find a small bar, in which we can get something. There is only fish to eat – we are amused, that in the end we will find a trout and not a sea fish on our plate – it tastes excellent.
The day ends with a beautiful sunset, Time, to play a game of trickery. The place is just too beautiful, to continue traveling straight away, so we just stay here the next day. Next to our vehicle there is no river leading into the sea, thus ideal conditions, to clean our toilet.
While we muddle along, come 3 Pigs over, rummaging around here. Quappo is very irritated and demands this “funny looking dogs” to play on – the bristle animals have no desire to do this.
After our work is done, we sunbathe, go swimming and later in the village for shopping. Our new neighbors have a lovely dog girl named Frieda, so our boys have their fun too. Another overlander is coming to our neighborhood: Corinne and Jürgen from Esslingen, who are on the road with their Iveco. We start a conversation and find out, that we have very similar plans and routes – I'm sure we'll meet again somewhere in the world.
After swimming in the Adriatic in the morning, we take a look at Corinne and Jürgen's vehicle over coffee, then we pack up and leave this pretty place. The route goes along the coast to Vlora, in serpentines over to the pass 1.100 Meters up, then completely back down to sea level. The roads change from just one-lane with potholes to four-lane newly paved – you really never know here, what to expect. We want to refuel on the way, but all 7 Petrol stations do not accept cards, applies here “Cash is king !!”.
Fear opponent
In Levan we park at a lakeside restaurant in a small wooded area. After a short walk we eat typical Albanian qofte – they taste excellent. Against 19.00 Clock we leave the restaurant, shortly afterwards all the lights go out and the owner drives home – apparently he has made enough turnover with us for today ???
Note the plush toy !!
On the way, we notice plush toys again and again, which are attached to the houses or gates: our guide explains: let the teddy bears or bunnies help, to keep evil spirits and the evil eye out of the house. Instead of cuddly toys, garlic braids are hung up in some places – if it helps ??
The next morning, money is first picked up from the machine, with a full tank we drive to Berat. Berat is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Albania – We can confirm that too. The little one, Ottoman old town stretches up the slope on both sides of the Osum River. The Kala towers over the town, the castle hill, here you have a view of the beautiful mountains all around. The city also bears the nickname ” City of piled windows (it should be around 1.000 be), every house has a good view towards the Tomorr Mountains and the houses were built very densely and mostly without a garden.
In the evening the dogs and we are allowed to relax and bathe on a river bank, we are all alone right on the water.
On election Sunday, the 26.09., we have another challenge planned: it goes into the Osum Gorge and then on an off-road route of around 25 Kilometers to Përmet. Before that we have to buy a few little things in Corovode – We are already right back in the center and with our fearful opponents, the low-hanging cables. Meanwhile we have a cable paranoia, that's worse than any off-road track !!! With great effort- and hardship we make it out of the extremely ugly place and soon we can see the beginnings of the gorge. The canyon is really impressive, For a few kilometers we drive along a narrow street.
Suddenly this street becomes really wide and is perfectly developed – there is something wrong ?? It is exactly like that: after around 3 This motorway ends kilometers – it just doesn't go any further – incredible, what you can experience here. So we're going back, find the right junction and we are in the middle of the bumpy road. It's going ok – who would have thought – once again over a pass of around 1.000 Meters, the route is super nice, but also demanding – she demands everything from Henriette and the driver.
it was tricky at times
According to estimated 5 We made it for hours and finally tar under the wheels again. The next river bank is approached, the dogs are shaken and flattened.
Our overnight place from above ! We are excited to call up the election results and yet we are very surprised – We would not have expected this result.
On Monday morning we take it easy, after the tour yesterday there is a dog today- and wellness day on the program. To do this, we drive a few kilometers to the thermal springs of Bënja. That is a strange experience: there are six thermal springs with up to 30 Degree warm water. The bathrooms consist of simple, unprotected natural stone pool, a lot of people cavort in these here “Pools”. In front of it stands the Ottoman stone bridge Ura e Kadiut, behind it it goes into the Lengarica gorge.
We park Henriette in the huge parking lot, there are many more campers here. Actually we didn't think so, that there is still so much going on at this time, but the thermal springs are arguably very popular with both locals and tourists. Otherwise there is a very original kiosk here, who offers beer and coffee and a local, who sells honey and olive oil. We suppose, that in 10 Years here hotel complexes, Bars, Restaurants and souvenir shops are standing and tourists come here in droves.
We hike with rubber slippers on our feet 3 Kilometers into the gorge – Frodo is not that happy about it, here his stomach is actually getting wet !! You have to cross the river a couple of times, sometimes the water goes up to the knee.
Back at the bridge we take a little bath in the spring – the water smells strongly of sulfur, so we do not linger long. But we still bathe in the river and feel really clean.
The next morning I lie down in the other water basins again, In a basin, the water is actually really nice and warm. Relaxed and completely cleaned, we turn around and chug a few kilometers back to Përmet. We have to shop here – which is always an experience here !! You have to be in at least 4 businesses, to get everything important together: first go to the supermarket, I get drinks here, coffee, Ketchup and salami etc.. Then I'm looking for a bakery, to get bread, a cheese shop for cheese and butter and last but not least a fruit- and greengrocer. I think it's great, that the supermarket does not offer fruit / vegetables or bread – here everyone has their right to exist. There are then small markets in the villages, that really, really have everything: Food, beverages, fruit, Shoe polish, Iron, Barbie puppies, Underpants, Air mattresses – the shops are so crammed, that you can hardly turn around there – really an experience in itself.
After Përmet we drive towards Greece, we are hardly any more 3 Kilometers from the border. The road further north to Korça is in a miserable condition, again it goes over some passes and many switchbacks. Simple, There are apparently no flat sections in Albania ?? Here in the very east of the country everything is much more original: you can see people riding on their mules, the fields are processed with the simplest of devices, There is hardly any tourism.
On the way there is a suitable meadow on the plateau, We can spend the night on. We quickly look for a few dry branches for the campfire in the area, a nice end of the day.
Search image – where is Henriette ?? 
Campfire is just beautiful !
The day today (29.09.) actually started very promising: Despite the bad weather forecast, we were able to enjoy our breakfast outdoors in bright sunshine. After everything was packed, we made our way towards Korça. On the way there was again a lot to see: various means of transport such as flatbed trucks, on the 5 Ride people while standing, mules, which are used as taxis and pick people up from the bus stop and lots of vans, who are still with 1 PS are on the way.
The many war memorials are also striking here, this area must be in 2. World War I have been hard fought.
This area is very rural, people are working in the fields everywhere. Shortly before Korča we come through large fruit-growing areas, Apples in particular seem to thrive here.
The scythe is still being used here
We drive to the small mountain village of Dardhë, there is a circular hike through the Drenova National Park. On the way we pass the only ski lift in Albania (very bizarre) ! Today we have to go for the first time 6 Put on a jacket for weeks – that's really difficult – but we're here on about 1.600 Meter height.
only ski lift !
Equipped with hiking boots, We set off with our rucksack and anorak. On the way through the village our Frodo unfortunately has a very unpleasant encounter with a local big dog – the two don't like each other and Frodo is violently attacked and bitten – he escapes limping. After we drove out the enemy, let's look at Frodo's foot: he's got a big wound. As a makeshift we put a bandage with my hair band, slowly it goes back to Henriette. In a moment we're going to look on the internet for a veterinarian in Korça, it seems here 2 or 3 admit. Arriving before the first practice, we are sobered: that's a hovel with just once 2 square meters, but there seems to be drugs and injections available. Unfortunately, the young man doesn't speak a word of English, with the help of google translate, I explain the problem to him. He calls the doctor, who assures me, that he is not in practice today, but can be reached tomorrow morning. We find them 2. Praxis, that looks better – unfortunately the door is locked ?? Under the phone number, which is on the sign, I reach the vet – unfortunately he doesn't understand me. So we drive frustrated to our parking space and take care of Frodo ourselves. After an hour, however, I get a call from the vet's son, he speaks english and explains to me, that his father is starting tomorrow morning 8.30 Clock is in practice. So we're going to bed very early today, so that we can be on time tomorrow.
For a long time we had to set an alarm again – very unfamiliar :). Early at 7.00 Clock we get up and are on time 8.00 Clock at the veterinary practice. The doctor is already there, is super friendly to Frodo and me – but he really doesn't understand a word of English. All the same, he knows, what needs to be done and takes care of our patient very well. With 4 Stitches have to be sewn poor fellow, then an antibiotic and a bandage – and we are released. In 2 Days we should come back, there is another antibiotic. We only paid 25– € for the whole treatment.
We are happy, that everything went so well and catch up on breakfast with delicious fried bread, that we got fresh from the bakery around the corner. Since we are already in the middle of the city, I take the chance to go shopping in the market.
I feel like I'm in the deepest Orient, everything is really chaotic here, according to, full and exciting – the many impressions are overwhelming. After half an hour I have everything together and we drive back to our place by the lake – the rest of the day we all relax.
today, am 01. October, let's stay comfortably at our lake place. The new heater is tested for the first time, because it has gotten a little cold (7 Degree this morning). We received a visit from a Unimog – we are in the last 2 Weeks already met several times – from Fürstenfeldbruck, Father and son visited Albanian friends. You had too many pomegranates left, they wanted to bring them to us.
After a nice small talk, the two wanted to test another off-road track. Frodo is feeling a lot today, much better, he has romped around with Quappo again and barely limps. Nevertheless, we're taking it easy today, you shouldn't exaggerate anything.
there is always a black sheep !
For the second time we have to set our alarm clock, so that we can get to the vet punctually on Saturday morning. In fact, our nice doctor comes five minutes later and looks at Frodo's paw: everything allright, Frodo gets a new bandage and we are dismissed. Freshly wrapped, we now explore the city, discover the pretty one, old bazaar and cover ourselves with the delicious fried bread at the bakery.
Bazaar 
Resurrection Cathedral 
Then we start north, to the prespasee. There we discover a place to our liking: right on the lakeshore, alone with the cows, grazing in the meadows next to it. Hans-Peter takes out the big lens at once – and lo and behold, shortly afterwards he actually has a pelican in front of his lens. He's a long way away, but we can see it through binoculars – a rare Dalmatian Pelican. We are very happy, that we could see a copy.
our Dalmatian Pelican
Sunday morning is very relaxed and leisurely, we don't know yet, what surprises this day will bring us. We start to another small off-road route just before Lake Ohrid. The route is very nice and round 8 Kilometer slope we reach a great one, great plateau.
Just a short walk, then a nice coffee in the evening sun. Suddenly a vehicle drives towards us and stops. A friendly Albanian asks us, whether we had a problem and whether our dogs were hunting dogs. We don't speak Albanian, he only had a few words in English- Without further ado, he calls his sister, who interprets over the phone. Five minutes later we are best friends and are invited to dinner. We are still asking, whether the way is possible for our fat Henriette – yes ready, everything is big enough !! Actually, we should have known – the way became steeper and narrower, until nothing worked anymore – neither forwards nor backwards was possible. The neighbor was called without further ado, he had to saw off the branches with his chainsaw – it's that easy here.
In fact, we found a small spot in the courtyard, just suitable for Henriette. Now the first raki was due !!! We talked hands and feet, a young man, Family friends were called in, to do a bit of interpreting in English. A coffee and a few raki later it was getting dark and cold, so we moved into the parlor: approximately 5 Square meters of living room, in it a huge three-piece suite, two televisions and a small oven. The lady of the house brought us sheepskins for our feet, the oven was fired up and we were cozy and warm. Sometime later there were delicious appetizers: greek salad, Pickled peppers, Feta, Zucchini and bread. The wife and cook continued to scurry around the kitchen and an hour later she put a large pot of rabbit and sauce on the table. Shortly afterwards everyone got another bowl of rice – we were fed up. Of course that wasn't the end: Another big platter came with a grilled chicken – Hans-Peter struggled with it, to cut the animal up and everyone got a portion of it. No end in sight: everyone got a bowl of homemade yoghurt and finally a plate with their own honey for dessert.
We were really impressed by so much hospitality and warmth – and are very grateful, that we were able to get to know these great people.
A 
Full and drunk we fall on the bed – but we can't really sleep well: we think all night, if and how we can get out of here :). Monday morning we say goodbye to everyone, then it will be exciting !
No 200 meters we get far, already Henriette is stuck again – a branch got stuck between the cabin and the container. As a matter of foresight, Hans-Peter packed his chainsaw, now it is being used for the first time. Henrietta is freed, the tree has gotten a little smaller and the neighbor is happy about the firewood !
So, we actually make it back up and have to take a deep breath. Hans-Peter takes a closer look at the damage to our Henriette – the railing has completely broken out and needs to be repaired. If need be, he can do it, on the way we will have to visit a workshop.
So, we've had enough adventures for now !! A quiet spot by the lake is just the right place for us to relax. We are at Lake Ohrid, the water is crystal clear and the sun is shining with the last of its strength – perfect for today. On a small path we come to the idyllic fishing village of Lin, there is a cool light here. We spontaneously decide to do it, to stay here one more night.
The next day can start with a refreshing swim in the lake – splendid. We're enjoying the great weather (it's supposed to rain tomorrow) and while away the day.
After breakfast, the maps are unfolded and the travel plans are reconsidered – it's supposed to rain for the whole of next week. After a long way- and here we decide, to drive towards Elbasan. There is a campsite there, that of a nice one, German-speaking Albanians. He also offers an auto repair service. We find Albin immediately and clearly, he can fix all of Henriette's ailments. There is already another overlander on the field and a short time later Henriette gets a new buddy:
All together we spend a really nice evening – it is fun, to meet so many like-minded people. In the morning it pours like cats and dogs, the boys don't feel like going for a walk. Around noon it gets better and we go on an adventurous walk across Wallachia with Walter and Julia. In the evening we go to the new, chic restaurant next door – We are really impressed by the great ambience and the delicious food.
Walter, Julia and Wilma 
Thomas and Bridget
Fridays, am 08. October, the vehicle will be repaired by our Swabian friends, the men watch with interest. The sun comes out a bit, that must be used, to further explore the area. A few hundred meters further there is a large fish factory and shop, Restaurant, playground, Pool – simply unbelievable.
The salmon with the shrimp taste great, there is also a Primitivo from the Swabian MAN wine cellar – so you can stand it well in this bad weather.
On Saturday, Henriette will continue to be tinkered with, she gets new vigour (the leaf springs are retensioned) – to do this, it is simply jacked up on a couple of blocks of wood – sensational.
In the evening we cook and eat together with Julia and Walter, later Uli from Paderborn joins us and we spend a really fun game night together with Prosecco and Raki !! Our Quappo shows our state of mind perfectly the next morning: he sleeps standing up and his head is heavy.
It's really difficult for us, going in different directions the next day !!! We hope, that at some point we will be able to undertake a route together with the friendly Swabians again ! Saying goodbye to Albin is not easy either, such a nice one, you don't find helpful people very often.
We continue towards Tirana, unfortunately with grey, rainy weather. Shortly before the capital we are standing in the parking lot of a really luxurious riding facility and the boys are practicing obstacle jumping.
We found out along the way, that Henriette is super sprung now, but the engine is getting louder ?? Thanks to Google we find a workshop in Tirana, that we head for. As always, the Albanians are super friendly and tried hard, everything will stand- and left and everyone examines our Henriette. The workshop foreman also speaks good German and explains things to us, that it's probably not a bad thing and that they will definitely work it out. Four hours later are diesel- and oil filter changed, Cylinder head gaskets renewed and the copper screw that was lost due to the vibrations is back in its place. Everything is ready just before closing time, we pay 350,– € and can hardly believe it, How softly Henriette now purrs. Just before nightfall we reach Kruja and find a small campsite there. We are the only guests, the owner is happy. We can order a pizza from him, which is brought shortly afterwards by the pizza boy –
The Tuesday, 12.10. pleases us with sunshine – everything is much nicer again. It goes to the city tour of Kruja, a small place on the mountain above Tirana. Albania's national hero Skanderberg had a huge castle built here, from which he has a gigantic view to the Adriatic Sea. There is also a small bazaar, we find a new carpet, to pretty up our Henriette.
Basarbummel 
Skanderberg 
After the shopping tour we continue east. Once again it goes up a pass, then we drive along the beautiful river valley of the Mats.
the roads are a disaster 
The river Mat
The road has incredible potholes, in part it is completely broken. Kindly have large caution signs, that were painted on the street, to the very extreme points. In Burrel we buy some provisions, the last leks are filled up, the remaining coins are given away as tips. Shortly afterwards we come to the smallest border crossing, that we have passed so far. It's always fun: the customs officer first has to take a photo of Henriette, then he briefly checks our papers and wishes us a good trip.
We are sad, that we are leaving Albania – it was a fantastic travel destination with incredibly nice people !!!!!!
