Albania: Valbona, 15 September 2012

The first day in Valbona we were hiking to the hamlet of Kukaj and then continue on to the meadows located at 1650m of elevation where we enjoyed great views on most of the above 2000m peaks of the valley. We saw what we considered to be en eagle and a falcon. Back to house a bus full of women from Tirana arrived. They were quite noise, so the silence of the Valbona valley was broken for a while. After they came they a long walk, then they had a party with dancing and went to bed at 2 a.m., and went up at 6 a.m. to go back to Shkodra. Their dinner was freshly slaughtered goat, that we saw it being roasted nearby the forest. Bleda left to Tirana to do his study, so the next day his brother was our guide.

haystacks at the farm

And one more haystack at the hamlet of Kukaj

The hamlet of Kukaj

In the middle of the picture the highest mountain in Albania: Mount Jezerca (2 693 meter).

The path

Black birds (some kind of crow)

Forest fires happens rather often in the area, there was one 15 years ago, one 6 years ago and one this summer.

The Valbona River. A river without water – the water is below the stones that fills the river bed

Looking at the Valbona River

The Valbona River

Some women in the village preparing food

The freshly slaughtered goat from the farm is prepared for tonight’s party for the 19 women from Shkodra.