Qeparo – Ioannina

25th day

Leaving Albania, I’m sorry to say, has been a relief; the good food doesn’t make up for the risk of driving on its roads 🫣. Albanians are chaotic and aggressive on the road, systematically ignoring any traffic rules. They overtake recklessly and it seems like their horns are programmed to sound every two minutes 🛎️. Of course, courtesy is non-existent to the point that they won’t let you merge into a lane in a construction zone where yours is closed. The police have to intervene.
T and I assume that must be the reason why the roads are filled… but filled… with small monuments, gravestones, or crosses on the sides, almost all with photos of the deceased 😟. Some of those memorials even have up to four photos; it’s crazy.
Another issue is the quality of the roads; they have built highways, but they haven’t fenced them to prevent animals from wandering onto them. You’re driving and suddenly a herd of goats appears, occupying the entire roadway. The sudden stops are epic.
I also didn’t know that Albania was so mountainous. This morning, leaving the coast, despite how delicious last night’s dinner was, I went through a stretch of curves, hills, curves, climbs… cursing the brilliant idea I had to try some Albanian fish dish that everyone who has tried it raves about 🥴.

Anyway, we’ve left that jumble of mountains to enter an endless straight road that ended at the border with Greece.
There were T and Beast waiting for us to have a coffee, happy as kids.
It’s really curious the two perspectives we have of the trip. Today’s journey has been one of the most beautiful for T 🤦‍♀️, while I couldn’t see the end of such existential anguish 😂😂😂.
At the border, we had quite a scare because T thought his phone had been stolen, but it eventually turned up in one of the pockets of his motorcycle suit (which has a million, by the way).
The return to the European Union was very calm and with a bit of humor; the customs officer laughed a little at my expense, but he was super nice, so the joke is forgiven 🙃.

Today’s place was chosen by Thorsten for its proximity to Viko-Aoos National Park, where he wants to go for a walk tomorrow.

The campsite is on the edge of a lake next to a kayaking club, and although it is very basic, it’s a bit run-down 🤭, the location is perfect; it’s practically in the center of the city, but you hardly notice it because when you’re by the lake, you’re also in the middle of nature.
The city of Ioannina is a pleasant surprise, both for its liveliness and for its architecture and history.

A quick walk to stretch our legs, and tomorrow we’ll return more calmly because, given what we’ve seen, it’s worth delving a little deeper into the stroll.

We made it to the other side of the lake, which is apparently the most touristy area, and where a cycling sports event is taking place this week, which has brought a lively atmosphere to the area.
We also tried the local beer, which, although it won’t become a favorite, wasn’t bad.
We spent the evening chatting with a couple of German motorcyclists who set up their tent next to us.
T, of course, offered them a beer when he saw them arrive after setting up (they set up and take down their tent every day 😥), and they sat with us for a little while.

Good night… I’ll keep you posted 😘