My Love Affair with Albania: An Update
In April of last year, I decided to explore the undiscovered country of Albania. I only scheduled for a week in the south to explore some of the beaches, as I had heard through the grapevine that there were some incredible idyllic beaches, and I was craving some relaxation and some good ol’ beach time.
My original plan was to spend just a couple of nights in the city of Saranda and then go and explore some of the other coastal villages and towns, before a catching a flight to Turkey from Tirana ( the capital). As soon as reached Saranda I fell deeply in love. It’s crazy to think that was over a year ago and now I’m sitting in a rented apartment, applying for a longer visa and thinking to myself that this deep love affair with Albania started in this exact city.
After I spent a week in Saranda last year I started to reevaluate my life a little, no, a lot. Full-time travel was amazing, but I was really craving having a base and so was my bank account. I spent all my time travelling back and forth from New Zealand to the United Kingdom because my ex-boyfriend was British, and it was starting to take a toll on myself and my poor bank account.
I remember sitting in Tirana airport in April of last year, tears streaming down my face, not wanting to leave Albania and telling myself that I would 100% be back here. I didn’t know when or how but I promised not only myself that but my new friends I had made here. If you know anything about me, you will know that I’m determined and when I set my mind to do something there’s no way that you can change that.
In the following few months of leaving Albania, all I could think about was coming back. My boyfriend and I decided that it wasn’t working, and we would be better as friends. Long distance is doable but sometimes it just gets too hard and life pulls you in other directions. I decided after the break up that it was a sign for me that I needed to stay in Albania. I had planned to visit for a couple of weeks but at that moment I decided that I was going to spend the summer there and just see what happens.
It was the most unforgettable summer I have ever had in my life for many reasons. Albania just felt like home. I felt comfortable here and I had made some lifelong friends in this exact city.
At this current moment I have nearly been back in Albania for 3 months, I have adopted a street dog (and as I write this he’s having the craziest dream, he’s so cute, I’m getting distracted by his cuteness ahhhh) and I’m getting into a good everyday routine Although I’m a little stressed with getting this long-term visa (I will write a full blog post about my experience once it’s all over!) its safe to say Albania has been the deepest love affair I have ever had.
Where to from here? Well, I’m applying for a year visa to stay longer. I don’t have any solid plans but for now, Albania is my base for the rest of the year!
Other articles you will love:
- Getting an Albanian Visa: Staying Long-Term in Albania
- 26 Best Things to do in Saranda Albania
- 24 Incredibly Beautiful Places to Visit in Albania
Lydia
Wow! I really didn’t know that Albania is so stunning, Anita. I definitely understand why you love this country, it is astonishing. Is it a good summer destination and which places, in particular, would you recommend?
Anita Hendrieka
LydiaThanks for reading Lydia! Yes, summer is the main event in Albania. Make sure you travel the Albania Riviera and check out all the beautiful beaches along the way <3 Ksamil, Saranda, Himare, Dhermi are a great start but there's so much more too!
Petia Whitmore
This looks like a love story all right! I am originally from the Balkans (Bulgaria) and that region keeps calling me back… And Albania is very high on my list of places to visit. I am hoping to expand my travel web site http://www.flyingraconteur.com/blog/ from a focus solely on Bulgaria to covering the Balkans at large. If you are interested in thinking how we could collaborate, I would love to connect.
In the meantime, enjoy finding the little paradise you are building for yourself.
Petia
Silas Potter
Let us know how the visa extension goes! Sounds very nice
Anita Hendrieka
Silas PotterThere will be a blog post about the visa process soon!
Lane Beck
I am glad you found a place where you truly feel at home, Anita! I know that feeling is amazing. I have found a few places that I feel at home, but I still have this calling to explore… specifically the Balkans. I have been to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and, most recently, Montenegro. But I am eager to visit this beautiful Albania that I have read, heard and seen so much about!