After several long days of travel, LEAD 41 was privileged to wake up in the countryside of Tirana at the beautiful Nana Resort. We started our morning with a tour of their operation where they have 100 milk goats, 6 milk cows, many ducks, a greenhouse and orchards. Our breakfast there was comprised of things entirely from the farm and was wonderful.
We then visited a shop that handmade traditional Albania clothing. We were able to do some modeling of the garments, learn about the history of the traditional Albanian costume and get an introduction to Albanian dancing.
After this we got to stretch our legs with a walking tour of Tirana lead by our amazing guide Genti. Tirana is a growing city with a modern twist on a rich history of culture.
Next, we went to Kazerma Cereni where we had a tour of the grounds. They have converted old military tunnels to museums, wine cellars, and cheese storage. We then went to the restaurant on-site where we had an absolutely amazing lunch that was made up of a sampling of what felt like every Albanian specialty.
After lunch, we continued on that theme and visited Bunk’Art in Tirana. This atomic shelter was build by the Communist regime in the 1970s and is five stories deep with over 100 rooms. The project was top secret at the time of construction, and has since been repurposed into a museum since 2014. Notable displays include former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha’s personal apartment within the shelter, as well as a very unique display telling the story of how Albanian farmers aided the rescue of 30 American nurses and medical personnel in 1944. Over all it was a very powerful tour and an insight into how much Albania has overcome in its history to become the country it is today.
Following the tour of the bunker, LEAD 41 had a short commute north to the city of Kruje. There we had another traditional Albanian meal consisting of soup, assorted appetizers, and fruit. The highlight of the evening was entertainment from an Albanian folk band and dancers. The performance was very interactive with audience participation in the dancing and singing encouraged. Overall it was a great conclusion to a great first day in the country of Albania!
*Today’s blog contributors are Anna Shadbolt and Rhett Montgomery in addition to your blog team of Kari Christenson, Jakob Burke and MiK Fox.
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