Ilir’s friend, Juli, has a car. The three of us hopped in the car and headed to Përmeti. We were joined by Ensuid, Ilir’s friend from Tirana.

We got a late start to the trip and left after 2pm. I expected that we might leave earlier in the day, but there didn’t seem to be urgency to the trip. This was vacation after all! Ilir hasn’t been on a vacation since last year.

Some roads were better than others. Some were new and freshly paved, some had potholes.

Juli drove over a gnarly pothole, and we stopped to check the car’s underbelly by a spring water source where we refilled our water bottles. The car looked ok. We continued “avash avash” (slowly slowly, in Turkish). We opted to follow a sign pointing us to nearer springs in order to arrive at a camping spot before the sunset; we needed time to gather firewood.

The road to the hot springs was so underdeveloped that we were not able to drive the whole way. We made a camp here.

The guys had an ax and a few pocket knives to clear the prickly weeds. We gathered branches for fire from the dry riverbeds, and we grilled sausages and peppers and onions to have with pita and cheese. I helped with the fire. I felt one with nature, and I was very happy for the camping experience with my new friends.

We woke up the next morning to a construction machine driving by. It appears they will be developing the road soon. Some development is good, too much, ruins the nature. Hopefully Albania will be able to protect the balance.

We walked the rest of the way to the hot springs the next morning. They were slightly warm, so I suppose “thermal waters” is more accurate.

We attempted to walk to a sulfur cave, but accidentally ended on the other side of the border in Greece!

Then we drove to Benja Thermal Baths. There are more popular thermal waters there, and also a river and a stone bridge. We walked up the stream to see what was there. It was an incredible exploration of pebbles, caves, and riverbanks.

We spent the night nearby in nature again.

Përmet is known for the hot springs, but also for the food. It is so fresh and delicious. We stopped at a nearby village and had a nice meal of burek, sheep milk yogurt, greek salad, cooked goat, bread, and tzatziki!

Gëzuar! (cheers!)