We had an awful night due to a van full of mosquitoes. Thought we’d hunted most of them down by midnight but they carried on whining and biting. Tired and itchy today!
Set off for the border, stopping for diesel first as it’s very expensive in Albania. Through Igoumenitsa and then up to the crossing at Sagiada. No queues at all and it seemed like within minutes we were at Butrint. Guy thought there was a tunnel here, but on closer map inspection we realised it was a ferry. On even closer inspection, it became apparent, that it was actually a dilapidated wooden raft pulled by steel chains.
We decided to have lunch and watch the operation first before making the decision whether to do this or not with only third party insurance.
A few motorhomes and large vehicles crossed without problem and the ferry man said it was ok, so off we went. €14 was a bit extortionate for a two minute crossing, but we got entertainment value out of it!
Coaches and cars were pulling up left, right and centre on the other side, so we parked up and wandered into the Butrint National Park, not realising what it was, or that we’d have to pay!
It turned out to be an archaeological site set on a wooded hill – the Greek, Roman and medieval remains of the city of Butrint. It was quite a nice place to walk around and fairly well landscaped although the ponds were all a bit green/brown and the lovely turtles we saw looked a bit sorry for themselves.
After seeing all the usual stuff, theatre, baths, forum etc, we finished up at the castle and museum. Looking around at the exhibits in glass cases (where I usually have the attention span of a gnat), we came across the skeleton of a tiny baby inside an amphora – such a weird thing to see, and how on earth did they get it in there?
Back at the van, we debated staying in the carpark, but with a potentially insect infested swamp behind us, we decided to move on.
Five miles up the road, I think we’re near the town of Ksamil. Found a ‘campsite’ which is actually just a scruffy carpark for a little beach cafe. Everything looks like it’s either under construction or de-construction for the winter. Friendly owners though, free sun-beds, and we’ve even managed to have a swim! Saw the sun going down over Corfu ..it’s almost touching distance here – maybe next year!
