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Porto Palermo

Navy quay dock at Porto Palermo 20^th – 29^th June 2024

We enjoyed stayed at Porto Parlermo a lot!! a perfect hiding from katabatic wind. This place we had met s/v Endless summer, s/v Mai Tai, s/v Shantaram. There are few restaurants in this area. Even though we had to climb up on quay dock carefully. Upon arrival luckily, there was a boat moored and helped us to tie up the boat. {Because of the height and lack of rope dock cleats.

Our second nights that we were the only boat docked alone. There were two Albanian men fishing near our boat. We are afraid that two men would attack or break hatch window at night. Then we locked all windows and door with key and no air in cabin until morning. One guy still fishing. He looked at me not understanding why we locked all windows and we feel embarrassed that we thought these two guys will wanna rob or murder. Later, we meet one Albanian guy who live in Canada came say hi and told us about local people here are safe.

Porto Palermo Navy dock

25^th June 2024 Leave Porto Palermo dock at 8.15 a.m. shopping in Himare and listening local radio old music. We enjoyed our stay at Porto Palermo Navy dock until 29^th June 2024

Himare for a quick shopping !

Porto Palermo Fortress

It was once located in a restricted military area and was still used by the Albanian militaryduring the communist times. Today the fortress is accessible for a small fee and can be explored. The well preserved castle was built in the early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena.

{below pitures} At restaurant in front of the beach with Aeron, friendly Albanian man from Durrës and s/v endless summer {Mary Beth and Rob}

Porto Palermo beach

30^th June 2024 Leave Porto Palermo N wind 10 kts boat speed 7.1 kts at 2 p.m. anchoring in Bay of Vlore. Also in this anchorage with S/V Shantaram, S/V Mai Tai, S/V Endless summer, S/V Iduna II 

Anchoring inVlorë

We anchored here in south wind protection anchorage. We again met s/v Shantaram, s/v Endless summer, s/v Mai Tai and s/v Iduna II. Due to a strong wind is coming next day so everyone planning to leave this anchorage before the wind arrive.

1^st July 2024 Canada Day we lifted anchor with heavy muddy + roots + muddy sand. And heading to Durres. We approached to the entrance of channel and to call Port of Durres Master Harbour at channel 16 for a permit to entering channel. (green and red buoy) We docked with help tie stern tied and med slimed line. Dock fees = 45 euros / night 

Port of Durrës | The largest port of Albania

Stayed at Cristian Marine Durrës (1-3 July 2024) 

Cristine Marina Durrës

2^nd July 2024 The roughly morning shaking all boats. We were thinking about leaving today so impossible and Theresa from s/v Iduna II came to chat. Today in Bar had the catastrophic storm. So we had a little bit in Durres. So we walk to town with a little tricky how to get there. In The evening we pay for check out of Albania for 60 Euros at Marina office)

Unsuccessfully attempted leaving Albania {beating with waves and winds}before returned to Port of Durrës

3^rd July 2024 We tried to leave early before leave port of Durrës must report Harbour Master. Calm and swell. NW wind 9 kts boat speed 6.7 kts the bay of Durrës outside is shallow. Do not stay out of green and red buoy until the end OR your boat can be aground!
After motoring further and winds became stronger and more steep swells so we decide to turn back to port of Durrës. Dock at the same spot and re – do a checkout of Albania and pay 60 euros again!. {Pay for check out of Albania twice!

4^th July 2024 We Left Cristine Marina Durrës at 6.30 a.m. (with S/V Iduna II / Paul and Theresa and anchored in the gulf of Drin, Velipoje beach. Miles and miles of front beach with view of beach umbrellas.

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