We woke up in Cisternino, and moved slowly to get Holly ready for some more kilometers to get back to Bari. On our way we had seen several of these structures that Kasey looked up and found they are called Trullis. Not going to try to describe them, she took plenty of pictures.

Eventually, and after a navigational detour, we ran out of Tulli-Town. I guess we kind of look like our wrong turns like Bob Ross, the PBS thirty minute painter. There are no wrong turns, just happy detours. We did make it back to Bari, and parked in an empty parking lot that is reported to be near the Romanian Consultant. It was a pretty quiet apartment community just inside the ring, or loop around Bari.

The next day was Sunday, and we made a quick trip a grocery store nearby called Familia. We thought it might be another discount store like EuroSpin, but actually, not only was it a pretty nice store, it was very crowded. Like many stores in Europe, they have regular shopping carts, with four wheel steer, and little roll around totes that you can use for shorter shopping lists. However, they are low to the ground, so you have to bend over to get you purchases out, or do you?

This little device lifts the basket up so you don’t have to bend over!

After putting away the groceries, we headed out to pre-drive the trip we needed to do on Monday. We were taking Salsa to the veterinarian for a check up and medications needed for The Balkans. We got to the parking area we were going to use, and wanted to drive along the ferry harbor, but we made another happy detour and didn’t get there. Along the way back to the parking lot, we stopped and topped off the diesel tank.

Another quiet night in the parking, and early morning to go to the vet. Again, we didn’t know what to expect with Monday Morning traffic, so we wanted plenty of time. The appointment was at 9am, and we left at near 7:30am. We were at the parking lot just before 8am. We walked to the vet’s office and were very early as it wasn’t even a quarter past 8. We were allowed inside the lobby, and we were nearly through the appointment before 9! Salsa was all checked out, fed her meds, and we were out the door for 65 Euros.

We made it back to the parking lot, payed the Euro and half, and headed out to our next campground. We improvised the route since it was taking us down a narrow lane. It worked out great, even the U-Turn we had to make. When we arrived at the camp spot, known as a EcoTourist Spot, the gate was closed. After some more Happy Detours, we stopped at a gas station down the street and called. We were told the gate would be open when we got there, and it was, along with a man waving us in.

It was an interesting spot with great services, except the hot water in the shower ran out way too fast. We had a pleasant stay, even though we were nervous and excited about taking the ferry the next day.

Our last day in Italy has come. The ferry doesn’t depart until 10pm, but I wanted to be at the harbor before dark, which is around 5pm here. We had to sit in a parking lot until 6:30 when we would head around the bay to the loading area. After some confusion and extra direction, we sat again, while other vehicles were being loaded. Including some heavy equipment.

As you can see, we also opted for a room to sleep in while overnighting across the sea. To just have a seat, was about 15 Euros less. So for an extra 30 Euros we got a bed and bathroom, and not a whole lot more. It was not a good night’s sleep, especially when we hit some rough seas about halfway through the trip.

Arrival time was 8am, and we set an alarm for 7:30 to jump up, pack up, and head out of the room. That was our plan, but the ship had other ideas. Around 7am, we were advised over the sound system to turn in our room key, and we will be advised of when we can go to our vehicles later. We followed orders, and then stepped outside to watch the ship pull into the port.

When we stepped back inside, we were at the end of a long line of people headed down the stairs to the main garage floor. We made it down the steps before they lifted part of the floor to reveal the garage floor below where Holly was parked. Unlike loading, all three of us were allowed to climb in and ride out of the boat. From there, we were guided through a few gates, only stopped at one, as before we knew it, we were in Albania, and on our own! I think the German Plates allowed quick passage once again.

Sure enough, and so you know it is us, we weren’t five minutes into Durres, Albania that we made a Happy Detour, involving a three point u-turn in the middle of town. So far, Albanians are proving a patient bunch. We got back on track, and made it down the road toward Tirane. We had a campground picked out, and I had already talked to the host, her name was Rita, same as Rodney’s Mother.

The final leg of the trip to the campground was a lightly gravel covered dirt road, that was not the best for traction in the light rain. We made it without any incident, and pulled into the campground, spied a spot between two other campers, and parked. I got the electric hooked up, and settled in after sending a note to the campground owner.

The rain hasn’t let up much, so it gave us time to look up the Instagram of our camping neighbors. They travel around with a pair of cookie monster plush dolls, and use them in their photos. They also rebuilt their truck and bed camper themselves. After following them, we struck up a online conversation.

The Cookie Monster Couple packed up to leave on day 2. The other camper van that was here had already left before we got out of bed. We talked to them for a bit, and found out they are traveling for a year, but lost a few months because of a breakdown. They were headed further south for warmer weather.

A break in the rain later in the day allowed me to walk the kilometer and half down to a Mini-Market. I was able to get bread, eggs and bacon, staples of our diet for breakfast while camping. It misted a little bit as it got dark on my return trip.

Friday morning we woke up all alone here at Camp Tirana. The rain was off and on, mostly on, and the air has a little bit of chill. We were decided to take a day off and relax.