Photos from my trip -Albania (Durres, Kruje, Tirane)

We changed the pace of the trip for the next two days with our exploration of the enigmatic country of Alabania. Fifty years of communist isolation under the dictator Enver Hoxha has left deep marks on a people and culture that are most probably the direct descendants of the ancient Illyrians that settled this coastline before the Greeks. In the time we were there, we saw many different aspects and perspectives of Albania.
We arrived on Sunday, May 29 and docked in Albania's largest and busiest port, Durres. Durres is a busy industrial port - not particularly attractive, but it serves as an excellent base for inland visits to both the modern and historic capitols of Albania.
After breakfast on day one, we departed the ship for the hour and a quarter drive up to the old Albanian capitol town of Kruje. Kruje is situated in a spectacular setting beneath the country's central limestone escarpment, and is home to two fine small museums.
We learned about Albania's national hero, George Kastrioti (known as Skanderbeg), during our visit to the excellent Skanderbeg Museum. Life in 18th century Albania was the focus of the wonderful little Ethnographic Museum, which was filled with tools and other artifacts.
After the museum visits, we explored the cobblestone alleys of the town's medieval bazaar. It was filled with traditional handicrafts, antique bronze oil lamps, pepper grinders and mortar and pestles. Some very old things to be had there. We bought a beautiful wool rug made by a local woman who was weaving when we passed by her shop. We also picked up a 100 year old wooden butter keep and a primitive wooden tool used for spinning wool into yarn.
We departed Kruje mid-day and drove to the modern capitol city of Tirane, which took about an hour. The city has grown tremendously in the past few years, and city planning and road building have not kept pace with the influx of people. At the same time, much of the illegal building of the post-Communist period is being removed, and the dynamic young mayor Edi Rama is painting the city with his artistic vision. The inner city centers around Skandebeg Square, the nearby former Communist Party Headquarters and the late 18th century Et'hem Bey Mosque. We drove through the city to a wonderful local restaurant, Sarajet, where we were treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch of Albanian specialties, followed by a performance of traditional Albanian folk music and dancing. That was pretty awesome.
In the evening, we set the sails and headed south for Sarande and Butrint.