ALBANIA

Location - South east Europe; Capital - Tirana; Population - 2.9 million; Currency - Lek MORE ALBANIA

From Saranda a limited number of buses run along the Albanian Riviera to Himara and Vlora. And don't forget a visit to Shkodra, near the Montenegro border - April/May 2018.

A 200 Lek note. Shqiperise means Albania in Albanian

Before reaching Himara and Dhermi further along the coast I stopped off at the tiny bay of Palermo

There's a restaurant on the main road from where you get a decent view of the bay, the small beach and the castle. There's also some decrepit buildings, pictured, constructed during the communist era by the Chinese - Palermo

The bay is very sheltered, with still waters and little wind - Palermo

A short walk from the restaurant brings you to Porto Palermo Castle - Palermo

This tunnel was originally used by the Soviet Union to shelter their submarines - Palermo

A brief stop in Himara, a few kms further north of Palermo

I based myself at Dhermi's lovely curve of coastline for a few days

As it was out of season the only restaurant open was Luciano's, with most people being workers painting and decorating in readiness for the summer. This was the beach on a Saturday, the busiest with day-trippers - Dhermi

The main beach next to Luciano's - Dhermi

Fishermen unfurl their nets as the sun goes down - Dhermi

There's several smaller coves heading north from the centre though they suffer the blight of overdevelopment. Half-finished buildings and rubble interrupt the attractive coastline and turquoise sea - Dherm

The Albanian Riviera coast from Palasa beach in the distance, to Drymades and then Dhermi close-up. Note that buses stop on the main road high above the beach, so the return walk is a steep and sweaty one with all your luggage. Get a taxi!

A bird's eye view of Dhermi and the Ionian Sea

The obligatory concrete bunker, this one being on the walk from Dhermi to Drymades

Above Drymades beach is the twisting and turning road that takes you high over the Llogoraja Pass to Vlora - Drymades

The transparency of the water is amazing! Drymades

'Drink beer and feel better'. Don't think this has been approved by the health authorities - Drymades

Yes OK, after you - Drymades

The best coastline I saw in Albania was the approach to Gjipe, the first beach south of Dhermi

Gjipe beach comes into view, and just about visible to the right is Jala beach

It's a bit of a mission to reach Gjipe, with only 4x4s being able to negotiate the rutted dirt-track, but it's worth it

There's a campground for those with tents, making it popular with backpackers and locals alike - Gjipe

A worthwhile walk is following the stream into the gorge - Gjipe

Kayakers start on their way to Jala beach - Gjipe

Vlora is the third largest city in Albania

The rather smelly port area - Vlora

Bright street art along Ismail Qemali - Vlora

The very Socialist Realist Independence Monument. Albanian independence was declared in Vlora in 1912 - Vlora

Haha, brilliant! The Messi resemblance is so bad it's good! A souvenir shop in Vlora

Mother Teresa welcomes visitors to Shkodra. Though Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born in modern-day Macedonia she's of Albanian-Indian descent

The city, near the Montenegro border, has a buzzing but relaxed feel to it - Shkodra

Not a swear word but Albanian for 'for sale' - Shkodra

The tourist heart is pedestrianised Rr Kole Idromeno which is full of bars, cafes and restaurants - Shkodra

At the entrance to the pedstrian zone is the main mosque - Shkodra

A short minute walk away is a Cathloic cathedral - Shkodra

A local band playing during the city's May Day festival - Shkodra

Not to be outdone by Berat and Gjirokastra, Shkodra has a hilltop fortress of its own, and boasting fantastic views too

The ruins of Rozafa Castle stand high over Lake Shkodra - Shkodra

The fortress is set at the strategic meeting point of three rivers - Shkodra

The Buna River (Bojana in Montenegrin) flows out of Lake Shokdra - Shkodra

The city is the gateway to the Albanian Alps and an ideal base for excursions to Lake Shokdra and Lake Koman - Shkodra

Riverside refreshments at Buna River - Shkodra

Shkodra didn't escape Albania's ruthless communist past; this is the Site of Witness and Memory

The museum is dedicated to those who suffered under the regime - Shkodra

The former monastery was transformed into Sigurimi (secret police) detention cells where people were interrogated and moved to prison camps, or executed - Shkodra

Political prisoners describe this as a typical setting of a torture room - Shkodra

Lake Shkodra is a short drive or cycle ride from Shkodra, either heading north or west. This is Shiroka, the first resort west of Shkodra, which is followed by Zogaj just before the Montenegrin border

Lake Shkodra is split between Albania and Montenegro, where it's known as Lake Skadar - Shiroka

Just beyond Shiroka is a small pebbly beach, a little dirty but fine for a brief laze

Surprise surprise a concrete pillbox bunker - Shiroka

Alfresco dining is the way to go at a lakeside restaurant - Shiroka

A mountainous backdrop to Lake Shkodra - Shiroka

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LINKS

http://albania.al - tourist info

http://albaniatourism.info

www.tiranatimes.com - Tirana Times newspaper, in English

www.visit-tirana.com - Tirana tourist info

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.