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This morning we had an early start leaving the hotel at 6.30am. We were heading north east to the Valbona Valley National Park. The Valbona Valley National Park is a National Park which, covers part of the Prokletije mountain range. It covers almost 8,000 hectares and lies between high and craggy peaks bordering on Theth National Park, Gashi River, Plava and Gucia, which are all strictly protected natural areas. The Valbona Valley has a length of 27 km. It starts at the Shtrejti Canyon, 220 metres above sea level and ends at Valbona Pass at 1800 metres above sea level.
The two hour journey to the ferry port felt like a fairground ride as we went round and round, up and down the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking with small villages nestled among the mountains, goats and cows ambling along the side of the road, dramatic twists and turns. By the time we arrived at Lake Koman I was already feeling seasick!
We boarded the already crowded ferry and headed off onto the Lake. Lake Koman was created by a dam in the 1980's. Sailing along for two hours the scenery changed from tree-lined hills to sheer limestone cliffs which gradually close in until it looks like you've run out of lake. Just as you think you're heading straight into the side of a mountain, the water opens up again and you turn into a narrow passageway between two vertical walls of rock. You see the odd farm on the hillside but there is no signs of roads or even telephone wires and electricity connecting them to the outside world. It feels like you are passing through a land that time forgot. I watched as small boats delivered vital supplies to the farms and hamlets dotted along the lake. After just over two hours we docked at our destination.
A short bus ride later we found ourselves at the family run Vila Dini Guesthouse. Nestled at the bottom of the hillside in the Valbona Valley the Vila Dini is situated within a tiny hamlet. All of the other farms and houses within the hamlet belong to the same family, which is common for this part of Albania. After lunch, which was a sumptuous feast of traditional Albanian food the owners son Aronick took us on a short hike. We wandered past some of the other properties while he told us about the history and culture of the area. It is hard to put in to words how beautiful the Valley is. It is peaceful and the perfect place to sit on your balcony and read a book whilst watching the locals go about their daily routine.
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Doug Sounds awesome