Porto Palermo

We asked permision to anchor here on our way out of Vlore.

We anchored in what appeared to be good holding, but we would have been better off tied to the dock.

In the middle of the night, strong katabatic winds dragged our anchor, and we decided to head out of the bay and head south.

Howard [Just Imagine] 29-Jun-2010

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Vlore

Being a non EU vessel, we needed to clear out of the EU and reset our 18 month customs clock, and we had heard that Albania was now welcoming cruisers and it was on our way to the Ionion Islands, so we gave it a try. It was actually very nice, once we had gone through the check in formalities and moved down to the marina in the south of the bay.

Albania has for a long time been a dubious destination for cruisers, but it is a beautiful country which can only benefit by exposure to the western yachts visiting it's shores.

The check in dock in Vlore was in much need of maintenance. The check in was handled by an agent for a fee of €50. He could not gaurantee that we would not be charged the same again if we went into Sarande on our way dowwn to Greece.

We actually had a very nice time in Orikum Marina in the south of the bay. The locals were very friendly and helpful. We hired a taxi driver that took us high up into the moutain reserve which was very beautiful.

Howard [Just Imagine] 03-May-2011

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Sarande

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Durres

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