Vartholomio
Βαρθολομιό
Peloponnese
Greece
May 6, 2015
So my friends,
It’s the end of my journey in the Peloponnese.
What shall I do?
Visit yet another marble site of Ancient Greece?
Explore the crumbling remains of the Byzantine Empire?
Climb the stone ramparts of one more Venetian Castle?
Admire the aqua view of the sea once again?
I decide on “None of the above.”
Shkodra (pop 135,612)
Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë
May 11, 2015
Buongiorno,
Pizza. Pizza. Pizza!
Isn't there anything else to eat here in Northern Albania?
Apparently not.
My driver, Mr. Edmond * and I search and search and search for some local or traditional Albanian fare along the main pedestrian promenade here in Shkodra (Shkodër). Finally we find an outdoor café and order, you guessed it, pizza. We also order a salad and a meatball dish that passes for “local” food.
Berat
Republic of Albania
May 12, 2015
Mirëmëngjesi – Good morning,
“I wish I had planned to stay here longer.”
Haven’t we all have expressed that sentiment at one time or another?
That’s exactly how I feel in Berati. I’m here on a day trip from Tirana, but I wish I can stay longer.
Gjirokastër
Albania
May 14, 2015
In Tirana I met a young man who bragged that he had taken a swim in the Blue Eye. Since I was heading in that direction, I decided to visit the Blue Eye and see what the fuss is all about. Maybe I’d be able to make the same boast as my young friend.
Butrint
Albania
May 15, 2015
A Fascinating Day
Butrint is surely the quintessential archeological site of Southeastern Europe.
Butrint became an urban center in the 4th Century BCE and was settled for several centuries before that. And even before that, this whole area was settled in prehistoric times.
The ancient Greek tribe Chaonians, the Romans, Byzantines, Ostrogoths, Bulgarians, Venetians, and Ottomans all occupied Butrint over the centuries. Even the French were here for a couple of years. Finally, Albania gained its independence in 1912 and rightfully took possession of this ancient city.
July 21, 2015
The Kingdom of Denmark
Copenhagen, the capital city
A lovely city …
A bright city …
A colorful city …
A walkable city …
A modern city …
A traditional city …
And yet, a city where anything goes?
