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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
6 Comments
Lydia
June 11, 2018 at 1:22 amWow! 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
June 11, 2018 at 4:40 amThanks 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
June 12, 2018 at 6:45 amThis 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
June 12, 2018 at 11:51 amLet us know how the visa extension goes! Sounds very nice
Anita Hendrieka
June 28, 2018 at 8:28 pmThere will be a blog post about the visa process soon!
Lane Beck
July 17, 2018 at 4:35 pmI 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!