Separated at Birth

Isa Boletini and The Phantom of the Opera

All I want for Christmas is.....?

Well I certainly do not want these gifts!

1) An Albanian Christmas present.
Sound good?
Not according to Urban Dictionary.
It is described as an "unwelcome present"...as well as something else, which is not in my vocabulary!!

(Surely there is an e-mail address that I can write and complain to Urban Dictionary...or even better, a postal address, and I can send them an Albanian Christmas present!!)

2)A Merry Christmas Yard Sign


The hosts at Parking Site Corner certainly hope we all rush out to buy a yard sign wishing all our friends and neighbours a Merry Christmas.

It can be yours for $18 + post.

They also seem to be hoping that all our friends and neighbours ( and maybe us as well) are so drunk we don't notice that both words are misspelt.

3) An Albanian Christmas T-shirt

Here is what is advertised...
"Check out this great Albanian christmas T-shirt design from DustBuster Tee's collection of incredible gifts "
Unfortunately, they seem to think we are stupid enough to buy anything that is written in Albanian.

I mean it really is a bargain at only $24.85!!!! + post.

Come on, seriously - get a decent design!!

At least it is spelt correctly!
(Oh wait a minute....what is that funny squiggle above the "e" in Gëzuar. Oh no...we live in Albania NOT France!! That should be an "ë" not an acute accent!)


And so the winner is...
and I am not being sarcastic now, I would really like this for Christmas!

A Bottle of Skenderbeg Beer.

" Skenderbeg. Provo një birrë të fortë për burra të fortë:"


With directions to not put it in the fridge, and to not shake the bottle, and pour it with great care...it sounds like a great beer!

More information here.
Only problem is that it appears the beer is only available in the U.K.

Paris Hilton to run for President (of Albania)

See here

Well I just can imagine that!

The presidential website would get more hits than normal I would imagine!

Anything is possible in Albania!

Took this photo today when i was in Koplik.

A man selling sheep from his car boot.


Then by chance I saw this on another website.

Think you're fast?

Can you beat the Bolt?

Try here.

Royal Albanian Airshow ( Comedy Show)

Campaigning for the return of King Zog, the Royal Albanian team perform shows in the USA.

Don't worry, be happy!

This is taken from a collection of photos called "Pictures - taken at just the right time"

It is well worth looking at!

Some will make you laugh, some will make you squirm!

What's in YOUR suitcase?

Summer is coming, and I guess more than a few Albanians will be returning home to catch some sun and enjoy their mum's cooking!

However, surely the temptation is to try to take some of Albania back with them on the aeroplane!

Wine, cheese, byrek, raki, ...some things that you just can't find in the "land of plenty"!

My parents tell me that once returning from Israel someone took strawberries as their carry on luggage. As the plane dipped and turned the strawberries started to drip down on all the passengers. No-one owned up to be the "strawberry-owner".

Just be careful though....as this article will tell you...I sometimes take a kilo of groshe with me, but I certainly wouldn't have thought of taking a whole goat!( I hope it wasn't in his carry-on baggage, or that would be one smelly trip)

Red Bull Motorcross Exhibition

Just back with the boys from the Red Bull demonstration in the centre of Shkoder.

Must admit I was impressed by it, and for once something in Shkoder to take the children to and have some fun.

Well done Red Bull and the Bashkia at Shkoder!

Can you spot the face ?

Okay...a bit of fun for you.

Can you spot the face in the above picture of coffee beans?

There IS a face hidden amongst the beans.

How well do you know your geography?

Sorry but this has nothing to do with Albania.
But as it is New Year, i thought i would post it.

Traveller IQ Challenge

I am terrible at geography, and tried this only once scoring 131,266.
Level 5
Traveller IQ = 87

Managed to get a couple totally in the wrong continent!