When it's hotter than hell, try the remote Albanian Alps

This past weekend we packed our sun screen and headed to the northern most corner of Albania in what are called the "Accursed Mountains" or Albanian Alps. These are rugged mountains to be sure.  We stayed in 2 rustic guest houses, each with a family of 3 generations. In the first stop, the eldest man, of 97, was very animated and spry. The surrounding farmlands, back drop of high rock mountains and that cool fresh air was amazing. Add to that the abundant food all produced on the farm. Top that off with people who take pride and joy at hosting you....and you have a very special weekend.

Highway up the "Accursed" mountain range

Small settlements with no obvious roads to the houses

It is said that once the dictator ventured up to this northern most point in Albania. He got half way up the steep road to this point and said he had seen enough.

Do you see the small "men working" sign. I hope they are working on guard rails.

Yes, the 97 year old!

Our host picking the lettuce for our dinner above and hay for the winter just cut

We hiked up a mountain toward the end of the day with our visiting American friends

Look closely and find the woman and her cow. How would you like to live in this remote mountain top dwelling for 5 months in the summer? No distractions!

Of course we needed the Albanian coffee stop

In the trees!

On to the Rugova Valley in Kosovo

Again, multi generational family to welcome us and bestow food, stories and friendship

This gentleman told us stories of the war in 1999 when the Serbs came down from the mountains intending to kill his family and burn the house

His wife was delighted to sell us her handmade stocks for 2 Euros

Beautiful 3 hour hike to this alpine lake

Stopping at this 14th century monastery protected by NATO forces as you enter

And finally, remember that the tension between the Serbian Kosovars and Albanian Kosovars is just below the surface. All street signs are in Albanian first and Serbian second. Often you see the latter blacked out. 

Yes, we beat the heat of the city but received much more in the wash of hospitality that the simple folks of this region bestow on their guests.

Albanian hospitality from rustic to elegant

The Neranxi Family in Albania run a very successful business. They import food products from around the world, have a cooking school and are very community minded.
One weekend, the family invited us down to their house on the "Albanian Riviera". The town is called Himare.

On day one, the family took us up to the very remote mountain town of Pilur. This is so remote, rumor has is that it was never conquered by the Ottomans during their 500 years of occupancy. The day long visit was complete with 3 roasting lambs, a singing group performing unusual chords and chants, locals watching the production of lunch by the chefs from the cooking school and all of us feeling like special guests.

On the way up the mountain we saw this ancient church that is site of the annual August pilgrimage from the seaside town.

Town folks just doing their thing

Invited by a local for a touch of raki

Saturday night 6 chefs prepared a 6 course meal at the lovely home of the Neranxi Family. Now that's another version of Albanian hospitality

Mrs. Neranxi serving up her special fried dough for all 14 of us the next morning. Where is the maple syrup?

Tiny Mexican Island/Tiny Blog

Isla Mujeres.....just a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun was the site of a family treat. The five of us tooled around in golf carts, ate really great Mexican food and stayed in a 5 room guest house, right on the Caribbean sea.

We arrived in a Cancun tropical storm and so walking to a restaurant was not so easy in the city itself

After piggy backing me and then Peter across the 18 inches of water in the streets, Luke deserved this flaming kebob

Taxi ride to the ferry. Someone above was looking out for us.

South end of Isla Mujeres

This is actually a zip line thing in the water

Turtles swimming out here. Below the farm where they keep the turtles for a year and then release them back into the sea to enhance the turtle population

Unique architecture

Gorgeous beaches and someone trying a temporary tattoo to see if she likes it

Jae and Luke went 28 miles out in the ocean to swim with these gigantic white whale sharks

This photo was actually taken back on the mainland after a family wedding. Deep sea fishing for sure!

Our rooms at Casa El Pio. So cool in the heat of the day and great views.

Always a great time with family, enhanced by the backdrop of a friendly, scenic and gentle island....Isla Mujeres.