Leaving Tirana we arrived in Shkodra around midday and after wandering around the city for a little bit we eventually found a dirty but cheap hotel that would do for the night. After setting down our bags we set off for the Rozafa Fortress which was set on top of a hill about 2 kms away from the centre of the city. After a long walk in the summer heat we finally emerged on top of the fortress so that we could have a wander around. The fortress wasn't anything too special as most of its buildings were in ruins and not much was left of them. However from the top of the fortress we were rewarded with spectacular views out over the city of Shkodra and the surrounding countryside. The good part of the fortress was that we were able to freely wander around it and quickly discovered hidden passageways and small tunnels hidden underground. Also in the fortress was a small museum containing artifacts from the area and a little bit of information about the fortress although still not very much. One interesting thing we learned though was that a woman, named Rozafa who the fortress is named after, was walled into the ramparts as an offering to the gods so that the construction would stand. Additionally two holes were left so that she could continue to breastfeed her baby even after being walled in. After leaving the fortress we made the hot walk back to our hotel where we relaxed for a little bit before heading out to find the walking street for dinner.
We left the hotel and were rewarded to find what seemed to be the walking street in Shkodra and although it wasn't nearly as busy as the one in Saranda or Berat we still joined the crowds strolling along it. While out walking we also searched for a famous status in the centre of town but since all we could find was an area under restoration we decided that must be it and so it no longer existed.
The next morning we got up and very quickly packed our bags before finding a "minibus" to take us across the boarded to Ulcinj in Montenegro. We were quickly shown to a guy with a little jeep jammed our bags in along with 4 other people and set off. Thinking this might be trouble as we had no idea what we were really getting we were a little worried at first but after about an hours drive we made it to Ulcinj, our destination.
A brightly painted house similar to the ones that we saw in Tirana.
One of the bunkers that are everywhere in the countryside in Albania. I tried to find a closer one on our last bus trip but didn't succeed so I guess most of them are in the southern part of the country.
An old church in the Rozafa Fortress, one of the better preserved structures along with the walls.
Lianne standing on top of the walls in the Rozafa Fortress.
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