Bike Ride to the Lake - Maybe Not

Well, we would have biked to the lake if the bike hire place had been open! Google and their website said they opened at 8 am, so we were waiting outside at 8:05. We were trying to beat the heat once again. But after 15 minutes of waiting—and hearing the phone ring unanswered inside when we called—we gave up. They eventually messaged back at 9 am to say they’d recently changed their hours! 😡 We couldn't be bothered walking back to try again.

Given we weren't too far away we looped back through the city to where the bus pickup point is for tomorrow. There's no central bus station here. The bus pick-ups are on the side of the road on various places. Ours is outside a hostel. Just to be sure that's right we walked to the hostel and waited until 8:30am to check a bus did turn up there. It did and a number of people got on. It's not a big bus only a mini bus. Obviously not a popular tourist route. 

Today therefore became an unexpected rest day, which was okay with us. Reading, video editing, and some trip planning filled in the day. We took a couple of short local walks to the supermarket, and Sarah went into the main street by herself. She was also going to go to the supermarket while out, but I suggested she might need a navigator for that. She was fairly confident she knew the way, but I reminded her how we went around the block just once the other day and she was completely lost. 😂 In reality, she would have been fine—but better safe than sorry.

Another dinner out! Given our apartment is only costing $75 a night, the budget will be fine. We tried one place Sarah found on TripAdvisor, but it had closed early (Sunday?). The place we went last night was an option, but they only take cash and we’re low on lek. The Italian restaurant from the first night became Plan C. It was a good plan as the atmosphere, service, and food there are all great. We had traditional meatballs in a gravy sauce and a chicken Caesar pizza, plus a Korça beer each. The food was delicious—especially the gravy sauce.

Bag packing and last-minute accommodation booking followed, before we enjoyed a bit of TV. We were going to book the accommodation while en route tomorrow, but lost our nerve and wanted to lock in a good place. Hopefully we’ve found one—it has free cancellation until 6 pm tomorrow.

We have to take two buses tomorrow and only have the first one booked. The second one we’re taking a chance on, hoping to get a seat once at the bus station. The in-transit bus stations are a taxi ride—or a 40-minute local bus ride—apart. What could go wrong?! 🤔

Wish us luck! 🤞 We might be staying in an unplanned city tomorrow if there are no buses—or if we miss them.