{"id":9781,"date":"2019-02-12T05:55:37","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T13:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/?p=9781"},"modified":"2019-11-10T07:21:45","modified_gmt":"2019-11-10T15:21:45","slug":"tirana-the-capital-of-albania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/12\/tirana-the-capital-of-albania\/","title":{"rendered":"Tirana, the capital of Albania."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Our stop in Durres last week wasn&#8217;t the best choice as an introduction to Albania. We thought choosing a town near the water would be a good one as it usually is for us but that ended up backfiring when it turned into a port town without much to do. So we were a little hesitant to try another large city but decided to not let one bad choice stop us from exploring an entire country&#8230; so to the capital we go!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46112855025\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4886\/46112855025_f55b82a7e9_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I should probably show you where we are camping in Tirana but wait. We found strawberries at the local fruit and vegetable stand.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096666655\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7856\/46096666655_4ccec74249_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mmmmm.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096666455\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4833\/46096666455_c7265cbc44_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So back to our parking spot. We ended up in a public paid lot tucked between the center of the city and the large city lake thanks to a recommendation from our traveling friends\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hairventures.com\/\">HairVentures<\/a>\u00a0who are also here in town. It ended up being 500 leks a night, less than $5 a day. We ended up liking the convenience of our spot so much that we stayed for a full week. There was a toilet we could use to empty our portable one and a water spigot for refilling our bottles (not to drink but to wash dishes).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"33135075388\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4877\/33135075388_699404ca66_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This stray pup visited us a couple times and we gave him some Yoda kibble and wet food.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096473455\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4871\/46096473455_d7ddd056b3_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46958457992\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7800\/46958457992_b4818faac2_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Our parking spot allows us to easily to walk into the city to explore, eat, drink and shop.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096506705\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4869\/46096506705_6b4b779de1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In 1988, this pyramid housed a museum for Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Communist Albania. Three years later, Communism fell and the museum closed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"47010314151\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4874\/47010314151_caa249ac33_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since then, it\u2019s been a conference center, NATO headquarters during the Kosovo War, and even a radio station. Today it sits in a state of disarray and has decided that it will be refurbished.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286298054\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7842\/46286298054_bb0b278ed4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286298794\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4856\/46286298794_bcbe9cde7b_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But until that happens, people will continue vandalizing it and climbing to the tippity top.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096666665\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4806\/46096666665_781e67d8ca_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096478085\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7890\/46096478085_7394e13a95_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The city&#8217;s utility boxes are all painted with different types of art. I couldn&#8217;t help to snap a photo of Luka coordinating with Chewbacca.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"33135014668\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4808\/33135014668_00846bd1ac_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As we walked towards the main square, Skanderbeg Square, we ran into the Bunk Art museum. There is an underground multi-room bunker that allows tours. We decided to skip it when a friend mentioned it might be a little too dark for children.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46958458482\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4852\/46958458482_6aa9f6d2bc_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286299854\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4819\/46286299854_a3c0f1e589_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46096510575\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4862\/46096510575_838416525c_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Instead\u00a0of the bunker tour, we took the kids on an antique merry-go-round in the square. Less than a dollar a ride.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286320584\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7867\/46286320584_bb4128ec45_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"33135036968\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7894\/33135036968_58505f1300_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286299514\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7858\/46286299514_72c2bd18ae_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here is an 18th-century mosque that was closed down during Albania&#8217;s communist rule. It was reopened in 1991 without permission from authorities. Over 10,000 people showed up once communism fell and police didn&#8217;t interfere.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"47010315251\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7894\/47010315251_db1dd142b0_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mural in front of the Tirana&#8217;s National Museum.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"32069083177\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7848\/32069083177_9e6e29b393_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tirana sign.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"47010376541\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7870\/47010376541_016702946a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Ava art directed this shot.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46958686502\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7818\/46958686502_36b26de7ab_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"40045763223\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4813\/40045763223_d796c516fb_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you pee off the bridge in Tirana, you will end up on their YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46286336444\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7926\/46286336444_3956ab537a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We spent a lot of time in coffee shops here. It&#8217;s really part of the city&#8217;s culture.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974668962\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7863\/46974668962_bbc3c87f7f_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hot chocolate here is like pudding. The girls liked it. Luka not so much.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"32085053497\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4854\/32085053497_b72a9f650c_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is how working remotely and roadschool looks like on some days.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46302626334\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7890\/46302626334_939cd78805_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"40061904593\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4894\/40061904593_41398ebef5_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes one coffee is not enough. This one has a playground outside,. Perfect for a pretend date with my man.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974687002\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4893\/46974687002_a724055e21_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Our little man had some issues one morning and soiled three pairs of pajamas. I did my best handwashing the mess but we needing a real washer and showers too. So we ended up renting a tiny AirBnB just to use the shower and washer. They even had a dryer which is almost unheard of here in Europe. We paid $35 to use it for a few hours and left at bedtime.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46302616464\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4854\/46302616464_de2a23cec5_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Across from our parking spot are the steps up to the lake and park area in Tirana.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974694562\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7867\/46974694562_e2a1c9a0aa_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Can you spot our van from up here?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974693912\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7806\/46974693912_a53f183d7c_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This man-made lake is huge.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"47026409061\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7879\/47026409061_d5f338ac5b_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974696492\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4889\/46974696492_f7833a7544_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The kids really enjoyed the\u00a0playground area here.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"32085061807\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4899\/32085061807_dcba4fd0ea_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A local kid asked Dan to play a game of basketball with him.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974678512\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7915\/46974678512_9407edc7c0_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mila might have said aloud that this reminded her of Napoleon Dynamite. Haha. I&#8217;m not sure why but it cracked us up.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"47026406651\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4809\/47026406651_4d75a971f4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974678932\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7850\/46974678932_8bd9d4c0a2_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46302626594\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4852\/46302626594_6129ae83fa_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Someone is super sweaty. Good thing our friends HairVentures offered their shower to us tonight. Pee you.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"40061904583\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7814\/40061904583_c8d9500eec_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46974695902\" src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4827\/46974695902_bca1c1f4ee_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Eating a souvlaki every day here. They are about $1.30 each.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46993848652\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7827\/46993848652_d63db0f9c0_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One our last day here, the kids got to get cotton candy at the park.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"46993849182\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7835\/46993849182_5623faaf08_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"33170452768\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7805\/33170452768_9b1abee124_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Oh, Luka.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"33170452778\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7810\/33170452778_e444dbe795_c.jpg\" alt=\"Tirana Albania blog 2\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Enjoy Dan&#8217;s vlog about our stay here as well.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Exploring Albania&#039;s Capital City, Tirana :: European Travel Vlog\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7u1OsXZ2KIQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Thanks for following our adventures,<br \/>\nMarlene<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our stop in Durres last week wasn&#8217;t the best choice as an introduction to Albania. We thought choosing a town near the water would be a good one as it usually is for us but that ended up backfiring when it turned into a port town without much to do. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1,215],"tags":[217],"class_list":["post-9781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily","category-europe","tag-albania"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/46286298054_bb0b278ed4_c.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pkBzA-2xL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}