The Castle Shkoder

Lake Scutari from the castle.

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SHKODER     I had to go to Shkoder to see the castle and Lake Scutari because they were in the first book about the elderly decective Mrs. Pollifax.  Shkoder was less than sixty miles from Tirana.  It took around three hours by bus!  At their fastest, the buses went 30 m.p.h. but they stopped almost every kilometer to let people on and off.  It was a trip back in time.  Farming was mostly done by hand and animal.  There were not many cars -- most people walked, biked, or rode animal driven carts.  Many older women wore what I imagined to be more traditional clothing.

After reading Mrs. Pollifax, I was surprised to find the castle was in ruins.  It was still wonderful to see.  There were a few passages to explore. However, the main parts reconstructed were a museum (closed) and a restaurant (opened).  That was all I saw in Shkoder.  I walked back to town, found the first bus back to Tirana, and endured three more hours.  Upon arrival, I had no idea where I was.  I followed the bulk of passengers going one direction hoping they'd go to the town center for further connections.  It worked.