Over the past week I took a four day motorcycle trip, part II of my investigation into some of the alternative cities in Albania, besides Tirana, that are worth visiting. My last ride, in July, took me to Pogradec, Korce, Permet, and Vlore, and then back to Tirana. This leg took me to Fushë Krujë, then to Krujë (right up the VERY steep hill!), followed by lunch in Shëngjin Beach, and a quick stop in Velipojë Beach (liked both beach cities), and then got to my room in Shkodra, which, by the way, can also be spelled Shkoder as well as Shkodër, so if you see it spelled multiple ways, now you know.

The next day was the biggie: a ride on one of the TWISTIEST roads I have ever ridden in five decades of motorcycles, finishing up in the mystical, magical city of Theth. THAT will be a separate story since I have a 3D video of the ride that you have to see. After that exhausting up and back ride, I stopped into the Homestead Albania, a working farm owned by a new friend, and got a great tour of what rural life is like. That is also a standalone story since I have cool pictures and video. One more night in Shkodra, then on to Durres, where I met Kat who took a bus in from Tirana. We were BOTH super surprised and impressed by that town, and were blessed with a great room directly across from the beach.

The next day she took another bus to Vlore, to meet a girlfriend for a Girl’s Night Out, and I carried on to Berat, a city I’ve wanted to visit for years. And after 400 miles, it was time to return home, and after that many miles and days of beautiful clear weather, ran into rain during the last 20 minutes! Oh well, them’s the breaks.