Day 57: Lezhe, Albania

Stats... 121.87km in 7hrs. On the road at 7.30am and gradually made our way along the hilly coastal road. It was busy and we saw a lorry that had overturned over the side of the crash barrier resting on trees above the steep drop to the Adriatic. We finally left the coast and headed inland to the border which after a stonking hill then gently rolled downhill all the way through lovely quiet very pretty roads. We crossed into our 14th country and paid the 20 euro tax required of us. Just on the other side we met Desire from The Netherlands and her Albian husband who invited us for a drink. They had not seen each other for a year and we gate crashed their reunion! They gave us some local money for a drink as we had nothing and we made our way to Skodra which was our intended destination for the day. However, on arrival we were still feeling strongish and decided to continue South to Lezhe. We ran out of water and when we arrived we were discussing at an ATM how much money to get out when we heard English! We asked Jenny and Denise for help who were a couple of nice young Americans who were from the peace core and working in Albania. They kindly invited us to their Independence Day party at Winifreds appartment being 4th July! We jumped at the offer and a few beers later the Anti English celebration was going well. We met approx 20 Americans and ended up staying at Leslie and Beccas appartment. We chatted and shared stories with Peter for ages as he had cycled across USA. The night was bizarre but brilliant... thanks to our new American allies!