Saturday 2nd
Mark and I met up with Sarah and Randall's airbnb host and checked into their studio apartment Saturday night. We then headed to Proper Pizza (they put sesame seeds on the crust which makes it super delicious!) where we had some dinner before heading back to the apartment to wait for Sarah, Randall and Ced. The three sibs arrived late, and after traveling for over 24 hours, were exhausted. We said a quick hello, picked up Cedric and brought them back to our apartment where they would be settling in for the week.
Sunday 3rd
Sarah and Randall were up early so headed to our apartment for a coffee.
#greatmindsdressalike 🤣
After everyone was ready we headed to the bus station for Durres. Hopping in a van was quick and easy and within an hour we were walking along the water. We explored the Durres amphitheatre and ruins, wandered through a small outdoor coffee shop/makeshift zoo and ate seafood for lunch at a restaurant along the water.
In the evening we boarded a van for Tirana and once there took a bus to Kavaja street to introduce the sibs to one of our favorite zgaras. While here we ordered fergese, one of our favorite pepper and cheese dip dishes, served warm in a clay bowl. Everyone enjoyed it.
#greatmindsdressalike 🤣
After everyone was ready we headed to the bus station for Durres. Hopping in a van was quick and easy and within an hour we were walking along the water. We explored the Durres amphitheatre and ruins, wandered through a small outdoor coffee shop/makeshift zoo and ate seafood for lunch at a restaurant along the water.
In the evening we boarded a van for Tirana and once there took a bus to Kavaja street to introduce the sibs to one of our favorite zgaras. While here we ordered fergese, one of our favorite pepper and cheese dip dishes, served warm in a clay bowl. Everyone enjoyed it.
Mark and I worked during the week, so the sibs were on their own for most of the days but met up with us in the evenings to try new restaurants. We took them to one of our favorite arabic restaurants to enjoy falafel and to Cioccolatitaliani to enjoy amazing chocolate desserts.
Thursday 7th
Callie, Andrew, Mark and I introduced the Milhouse sibs to "Duff" (to all you Simpson's fans out there, so totally appropriate, right?!), one of our favorite burger bars. Thursday night is burger and brew night so we sat outside under the stars and enjoyed craft burgers, oregano fries and Duff drafts. Sarah was even able to get a portobello burger which she said was pretty good.
Friday 8th
After school Mark and the sibs picked me up in the SUV they'd rented and we headed to Petrela Castle, which was built in the 6th century as part of the Kruje Castle Defense System. It's beautiful and very authentic with stone steps leading to the top. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in their tower restaurant and then headed back to our apartment for an evening of Dungeons and Dragons. I'd never played before, but was surrounded by seasoned veterans. Everyone helped me along and although we ended up dying early on our quest, fun was still had by all.
Saturday 9th
We all met for breakfast at Tony's, one of mine and Mark's favorite American joints. Then we began #castlebania2019, a quest to visit as many castles as we could in and around Tirana.
Our first castle required A LOT of off-roading. The higher the SUV climbed the narrower and narrower the path became. The top was still a long ways off when I finally suggested that we turn back. The boys were disappointed but there was a collective sigh of relief from Sarah, Ced and I when they conceded. Our next castle needed to be a bit more accessible. This time Mark delivered and we ended up at Preza Castle. Here we enjoyed sunshine, green grass and beautiful city views. There was even a group of boys doing bike tricks in the courtyard. Next on our list was Kruja, a castle with large grounds, churches, an ethnographic museum, restaurants and shops on site. We decided to stay here, explore, eat and watch the sunset.
When we got back to Tirana we took the sibs out for raki, a traditional liquor that's served here. Then it was time for bed because their flight was super early the next morning.
Our first castle required A LOT of off-roading. The higher the SUV climbed the narrower and narrower the path became. The top was still a long ways off when I finally suggested that we turn back. The boys were disappointed but there was a collective sigh of relief from Sarah, Ced and I when they conceded. Our next castle needed to be a bit more accessible. This time Mark delivered and we ended up at Preza Castle. Here we enjoyed sunshine, green grass and beautiful city views. There was even a group of boys doing bike tricks in the courtyard. Next on our list was Kruja, a castle with large grounds, churches, an ethnographic museum, restaurants and shops on site. We decided to stay here, explore, eat and watch the sunset.
When we got back to Tirana we took the sibs out for raki, a traditional liquor that's served here. Then it was time for bed because their flight was super early the next morning.
Mark and I were so glad to have his sibs here. We enjoyed spending time with them and sharing the life we've created in Tirana with them. We hope they'll meet up with us again at some point during our adventures abroad, but for now, we hope they get home safe and don't experience too much jet lag.
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