January 10: Vikos National Park

The intense rain and wind caused us to move the van into a more residential area to reduce exposure to the elements.  We awoke for good at 4:30 and began the slow, dark drive to the Greece border.  We made the crossover from Albania to Greece with ease and we were on our way to Vikos National Park.

In this mountainous region to Greece, the serpentine roads led you up and back down with spectacular views of the rock formations and several small villages that were built into the faces of the hillsides.  The route, although breathtaking, was slow going as we drove at about 25 mph for most of our journey.

Along the way, we stopped at a couple of villages with their cobblestoned streets and stone houses with slate roofs. Mikros was the most picturesque spot, combining the quaintness of the village with the amazing backdrop of Mount Tymfi and the Towers of Astraka.  We had a lovely dinner of lamb, salad and tzatziki by a roaring fireplace.