Just back from a taxi ride in Saranda. This is a developing country so not much infrasture for tourists. Our taxi was cheap 45 euros for 3 hours. Our guide spoke a little English enough for us to communicate.

There is nothing in the town at all to see. So if you just walked into town you would be highly disappointed.

We did the same itinerary as one of the tours. Went to the Lekuresi Castle on the hilltop which is now a restaurant. The view was spectacular. Reminded me of Cape Town.

Then on to a park that has a spring that comes from underground that bubbles at the surface. The call it Blue Eye. What makes interesting is that there are so many colors in the extremely clear water with the deepest blue being in the middle. The water pressure is so strong that divers can not go down the spring.

On the way back we saw an 11th century Monastery.
Two horses were in the area and one ran into the grounds of the monastery when the gate was opened. I guess the grass was greener inside.
This old building had some wonderful decorative brick work so it was nice to see.

The other tours went to some archeological sites that were much further away. Marc in on one of the longer tours today. Some of the pictures of the ruins at Butrint National Park looked really interesting. The site is next to a Butrind lake and the ruins looked in wonderful shape with frescos and tile work still intact. They are still uncovering some ruins of grand Roman villas on the other side of the lake. I think in time this will become a huge tourist destination.

Not an exciting port but it is a developing area for tourism and the natural setting is great and I am sure with time things will get better here. It was fun to just visit Albania that has not been opened to tourism until fairly recently.


The Lekuresi Castle.


Debbie & Ngaire taking in the Great Views from the Castle.


The Blue Eye of Blue Eye Park. The water is coming up from an under water cave and is so swift that divers cannot explore it.


This Horse came into the Monastery Grounds when the Gate was Opened.


11th Century Monastery.


A Dragon on the side of the Monastery Wall.