Making my way from Budva, Montenegro to Tirana, Albania just for the day. To be honest, I did not even have 24 hours here as I decided to get the earliest bus the next day. This was simply a stop for me to go to a museum I have wanted to go to for years. I also figured the 7 am bus would have less people on it and I was correct. Some new friends I made that took the 9 am bus informed me that it was a full bus for them and a girl even had to have a makeshift seat in the middle of where you walk. My bus was less than half full and I had the seat next to me as well. So I do think the decision to get up early was good.

First stop

First stop was the hotel, but THEN, it was the museum, Bunk Art 2. The country with the most bunkers in the world is Albania and they are spread throughout the country. Some of them have now become tourist attractions, like Bunk Art 2. Yes, Bunk Art 1 does exist, but it is a little bit further away from the city center. With the short time I had, I was happy with just the second one.

Bunk Art 2 focuses on the communist past of the countries and have 28 rooms to explore. Audio guides are an option and I got one in English since Norwegian is never available. I planned about two hours in the former bunker turned museum and I stayed down there for about as long. It was a truly saddening, but memorable visit that I had wished to do for so long and now I will have to return for Bunk Art 1.
The pricing is very reasonable so even if it is not you top priority but you find yourself with some free time, do give them a visit.

The cloud

Just right around the corner from Bunk Art 2 is The Cloud which is designed by architect Marco Casamonti. It was made to enhance Tirana urban landscape and it looks interesting from afar. When you walk closer it is possible to enter it and if you search it up on Google you can find articles saying it was made for social exchange. I do agree as I had a nice chat with a lady there while we helped taking pictures of eachother inside the structure.

The inside is also cool and it makes you wonder how much weight it can hold. It is also placed right in front of the National Gallery of Arts.

Shetitorja Murat Toptani is a small street between the exit of Bunk Art 2 and The Cloud, so if you walk between these two sights it is likely you also will see these cars parked there selling food. I do wonder if the American flags are still there. And yes, the exit of Bunk Art 2 is different from the entrance bunker.

Wandering around and climbing the Pyramid of Tirana

Sometimes when one has the time and no plans it is amazing just to wander around and see what you come across. That is how I found myself by the Pyramid of Tirana and followed the people that climbed it.
The view of Tirana was amazing, but just as I started to walk down it started to rain. Rushing back to hotel, took a shower only to head out for dinner after the heavy rain had stopped.

My goal of Albania was Ksamil. I wanted to see if it truly was the Maldives of Europe, without ever having been to the Maldives. My bus the next day was 7 am, so I turned in early with a movie to be sure I woke up in time for my bus.