Berat

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I wake up as late as I can for breakfast then head to eat as much as I can before it shuts. I’ve had the best night sleep, firmest beds yet. Breakfast is a buffet so there is sausage, Albanian pancakes, cake, cheese, charcuterie, tomates, cucumber, bread and a lot of fruit. There is of course eggs which I can’t eat and cereal with full fat milk, also a no. Still there is plenty of choice. There is a coffee machine and I’m really excited when the guy thinks it’s powder only to come back saying it’s milk. Gutted, thought I was finally getting a real coffee. I am offered alternative but only soy so I pass. I graze more than eat but I eat a lot and take some fruit with me for the next few days. I head to the reception to see if they have bandages as my feet need something to get me out to buy trainers. She gives me betaine and bandages which work.

I head to credins atm which is by the hotel and right next to a trainer store. I try my best to find something cheap in my size. The woman comes to help but all her suggestions are lurid. Finally she finds a pair in my size that aren’t too awful and are 30 euros instead of 40. I buy them. Needs must. With my feet now fully bandaged and wearing my new shoes I feel a different person as I head into town. I stop at a pharmacy and buy more of what she gave me. Betaine gel and bigger plasters then I find somewhere to order a coffee. I go to the place I have been eyeing up on the main strip with cute bicycles and planters and order coffee and a coke.

I sit for a while just chilling then I decide to go for a walk. I don’t get far before my feet kick in so I head to Antigonis the restaurant I was recommended for lunch and get a seat on the patio. I order yoghurt with lamb and a beer but when it comes it looks like egg. I ask and it is egg, like a soufflé and there was no mention of this on the recipe. He asks if I’m allergic and I say yes so they offer me alternatives. I select lamb and aubergine. It comes soon after and is lovely. I feel guilty though that they made me a while new meal. It has started to thunder so I pay up and head back before the rain starts.

Back at the hotel I change into my swimsuit and head the spa intending to use the pool before my spa time but these three loud, obnoxious American women beat me to it. I go the relaxation area but I can still hear their screaming so I try the hot tub and luckily I don’t hear them over the jets. Unfortunately a minute later they join me in the hot tub so I get out and go for my swim then they come back to the pool as they didn’t want to pay for the spa. I get out of the pool and go to a steam room. Finally I get quiet! I spend the next two hours moving between the jacuzzi, steam room, some form of hot room, dry sauna shower experience and when I finally get it to myself, the pool for a 30 minute swim. I use the spa until it shuts at 8 then I head to my room. I wash and dry my hair and pack as the reception guy told me you can’t rely on the 2pm bus to gjirokaster so I need to leave at 7. I head to bed around 11.

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