In March, 2020, our daughter, Elizabeth had made plans to visit us in Tirana. Our plans included visiting Cinque Terre and Corfu. As we all know March, 2020 is really only well known for one thing, Covid. The trip was cancelled and we were all sooooo disappointed. Fast forward to March, 2024 when we were finally able to make the trip happen. Of course, we dearly love our son-in-law and grandchildren but it was a real treat to get to have our daughter all to ourselves for 10 days. A big THANK YOU to Ben for managing life in Virginia while his wife was in Europe.
We met Elizabeth in the Pisa Airport where I took this photo because I thought the colors were so beautiful and vibrant.Welcome to Pisa!Classic Leaning Tower of Pisa photosStanding on the inside of the tower and looking up.Climbing up and then down to reach the top of the tower.Close=up of the detail on one of the seven bells in the tower.We never realized until this visit that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral pictured here.
The lawn on the grounds of the tower is being mowed.
Elizabeth and I saw this man and his dog walking in the area. We thought they were so adorable that I asked if we could take their picture.We walked along this river on our way to dinner.I am not a huge meat eater but the variety of meats and cheeses on this charcuterie board were quite good.The next day we took two trains on an hour long trip to get from Pisa to Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is a series of five small fishing villages in the northeast part of Italy along the Ligurian Sea (which connects to the Mediterranean Sea). Until the late 1800’s, when the train was built, the five villages were only connected by a footpath. Today these villages are not accessible by car, only by boat or train. We chose to spend two nights in the village of Manarola because it was described as a small, quiet village. We were not disappointed with our choice. As you can see, the main street is lined with covered boats because that is the only place to park them. They were originally used as fishing boats but are now used for recreation. Elizabeth is sitting on our favorite part of our small apartment, the balcony.
Wandering around the village of Manarola
We are headed up and around this hill.The next day we joined a small tour group hiking out of Manarola and up to a winery. Looking back at Manarola as we start our climb up the hill.Looking out at a beautiful tiered vineyard.This is a cemetery (or mausoleum) we saw as we climbed. What a beautiful setting!You can see Manarola in the background.The name of this tour was “Climb the Stairway to Heaven Wine Tour”. You can understand why by seeing how straight up the hike was at times.Arriving in the small village of Volastra where the family owned winery is located.The guide (on the right) for our small tour group was an American married to an Italian woman. He has lived in Italy for 20 years but still has to pay U.S. taxes. I was surprised by that. Enjoying our wine and focaccia bread. We learned on this tour that red wine is the most popular in some regions in southern Italy but overall the country consumes more white wine by a large margin. After finishing at the winery, we decided to hike to the next small village called Corniglia. You can see the village perched on the top of a cliff.It was about a three hour beautiful hike to Corniglia.We made it!After eating lunch and exploring Corniglia a bit, we climbed down the 400 steps to the train station to take the train back to Manarola.In the late afternoon, we noticed lots of cameras set up to capture photos of Manarola with just the right amount of light on it during sunset.
That night we went to eat dinner in the village of Riomaggiore. Unfortunately, this was the only photo I took of this charming village known for it’s night life.Coffee and croissants by the sea.This 40 foot tall statue of Neptune was built in 1910 to support the villa that is no longer above it. It was partially destroyed during WWII.It seems that everywhere we go, we see padlocks attached to windows and bridges.The unique San Giovanni Battisa church with it’s dark green and white marble. It was built in the 1300’s and is one of the oldest churches in Cinque Terre.This small church is known as the Brotherhood of Prayer and Death. Note the one of many skeletons that are part of the molding.We took our final day in Cinque Terre to visit the other two villages. Here we are in Monterosso.Vernazza was the final village for us to visit. From the little bit we saw of it, we thought it would also be a good place to stay.I asked the two of them to put their heads together so I could get a photo. This was their response. 🙂 We are checking out of our AirBnB in Manarola. Our host, Gianluca, is pictured with us here. He was a wonderful host!This is just a random photo taken as we left the Pisa Airport. I had never seen a Lego vending machine!We have now flown back to Tirana from Pisa. Our first stop back in Tirana was dinner at our favorite zagara.It was such fun to have Elizabeth go on our walking mural field trip which ended with lunch at Burger King.Elizabeth spent an afternoon at school playing Sorry with small groups of children during our center rotations. They loved having her there and continuously referred to her as “Isabella”. 🙂One evening we went to dinner with Edlira, my teaching assistant from 2018-19 and Alba, my current teaching assistant. Both women are hard working, kind, smart people. I felt fortunate to work with them both.The following weekend, we drove to southern Albania on our way to Corfu. Here we are having breakfast in Saranda, Albania before taking the ferry to Corfu. You can see the ferry terminal on the right in the background.Here come the ferries. In the far distance, you can see the island of Corfu.Waiting to board for the one hour trip.We are on our way now. We saw a few dolphins frolicking in the sea as we made our way to Corfu.Arriving in Corfu and finding our way to our apartment rental.Visiting Saint Spyridon Church, a Greek Orthodox church with the highest bell tower in the Ionian Islands.In my next life, I think I would like my mode of transportation to be a Vespa that is exactly this color. 🙂Sights from an early morning runChocolate covered kumquats, yum!!!We took a yummy and varied Corfu Food Tour.
As we wandered around Corfu we often had the feeling that we were either in Italy or Great Britain. After going on the tour we understood why we had these feelings. Corfu is the only Greek island that was not conquered by the Ottomans. Corfu was under Venetian rule for 400 years followed by rule by the French and British government. That helps to explain the varied architecture, food and traditions of the island. During WWII, Italy invaded Corfu in an attempt to resurrect the Roman Empire. When Italy surrendered to the Allies in 1943, the Germans massacred thousands of Italians and sent 5,000 Corfu Jews to Auschwitz.
Elizabeth and I exploring Corfu…We came across this lovely shop owned by a Greek couple. The wife made hand-painted scarfs and jewelry while the husband ran the shop. The husband is pictured in front of a huge photo of his grandfather during WWII in Greece.A perfect example of Corfu being formerly ruled by the Venetians. The winged lion is a symbol of Venice.Elizabeth and Randy striking a pose to imitate our granddaughter, Juliet. 🙂Here we are visiting the Old Fortress of Corfu which was built in the 15th century by the Venetians.One last photo of Corfu before we board the ferry the next morning and head back to Albania. Loved, loved, loved time with our daughter. It was hard to say good bye after our time together.One more March outing… This is my friend, Dan who teaches art at Albanian College. While Randy was back in the States for a few weeks, we took a two hour road trip south to spend time in the charming city of Vlore. We both had lots of school reports to write which is always easier to do as you look out over the sea.
Walking around and exploring Vlore… Thanks to Dan who shared several of these photos with me.
Once again, I’m behind with my blog. I have not worked on it for a couple of months simply because life can get very busy as I am sure you can relate to. My very last day of teaching was two days ago on June 21st. I am not questioning my decision to retire but at the same time it is hard to give up something that I have loved so much. On to new adventures, right? Randy and I move back to New York on July 1st and look forward to connecting with family and friends. A bit of family news is that Elizabeth and her family will be moving to Bangkok for three years at the end of July. Ben has a new position so they will start their own new adventure soon. I am happy for them but a bit sad for me because I will continue to miss them. The good news is that since I am now retired, I will easily have the time and opportunity to visit. Yay!
Stay tuned for a few more blog posts to update you on our last months in Albania. Hopefully, I will now have more time to work on it.
What an especially beautifully photographed and narrated post! Loved seeing Elizabeth traveling with you and hearing her exciting family news! I know you will miss teaching and readily available European travel opportunities. But, boy, am I looking forward to your return to Fairport!♥️ Ann P.
Sarah, Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. I love seeing all the pictures and learning about the places you have seen! Looking forward to seeing you when you return. Best wishes as you start the next chapter of your journey.
Sarah, congratulations on a great teaching career: you have certainly affected the future all over the world! As always, I loved your blog. I’m such a nerd that I always read it more than once. Those pictures of the three of you bring back memories of when Elizabeth was one of the first little ones my friends had and you three were such an awesome trio. You still are, of course! I think Elizabeth and her family will love Bangkok. My sister and brother-in-law are back from their 8 months in SE Asia. Thailand is the country they visited more than once as they liked it so much. I imagine you and Randy will travel there at some point. I do hope we can catch up at some point before you’re off on your next adventure!
I love it that we have known each other so long that you can remember when ELizabeth was the first child of your friends. Thanks for the encouraging words about Thailand. Yes, we need to connect when we get back in America. If I remember right, you may have a second grandchild by now, is that right?
Camille Katherine had to come 3 weeks early, but she is healthy and tiny but beautiful and mighty. We have known each other for quite a bit, and I treasure that.
Sarah, I always love reading your blog posts but I especially loved this one, as Mike and I visited Cinque Terre last summer during our honeymoon and it was one of our favorite parts of the trip, so I loved reading about your experience there! Isn’t it beautiful? It was funny for us to see you wearing a jacket in your photos, as it was incredibly hot when we were there last July (temps in the 90s). I would love to see you when you’re back in Fairport and hear more about all of your adventures!
Hi Julie, I would love to get together with you when we return to the US. It would be good to hear about your experience in Cinque Terre. Also, i would love to meet your little sweetheart!
Loved that you have shared your adventures and admire your adventuresome spirit of your years in Albania. What a treat to travel with your adult daughter. Safe travels back to the states.
As always, I loved your photos and accompanying narrative! So happy Elizabeth was able to share some of your travels with you… what special memories for all of you! I know exactly how you feel stepping away from teaching while still loving it so much – it’s such a bittersweet decision but I know you will find retirement full of adventures. Congratulations of a wonderful career, Sarah! You remain one of my all time favorite educators. I am in awe of your passion and courage for following your dream to teach in another country – what an incredible achievement! I hope I am able to see you in the Rochester area this summer – I would love to catch up in person!
I must have overlooked your comment from earlier this summer. Sorry! You are always so generous with your kind words about my teaching. I so appreciated having you as an administrator at Dudley for so many years. You ALWAYS put the needs of the kids first. Yes, let’s be in touch about getting together sometime soon. 🙂
Teaching in Albania 
Once again I loved your blog. Safe travels home.
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Thanks for reading, Linda!
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What an especially beautifully photographed and narrated post! Loved seeing Elizabeth traveling with you and hearing her exciting family news! I know you will miss teaching and readily available European travel opportunities. But, boy, am I looking forward to your return to Fairport!♥️ Ann P.
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Thanks, Ann, lookng forward to seeing you soon!
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Sarah, Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. I love seeing all the pictures and learning about the places you have seen! Looking forward to seeing you when you return. Best wishes as you start the next chapter of your journey.
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Thanks and I will see you soon, Linda!
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Such a marvelous trip for the three of you. And now Elizabeth and crew going to Bangkok. What an experience!
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Thanks, Holly! I hope all is well with you and your family.
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Sarah, congratulations on a great teaching career: you have certainly affected the future all over the world! As always, I loved your blog. I’m such a nerd that I always read it more than once. Those pictures of the three of you bring back memories of when Elizabeth was one of the first little ones my friends had and you three were such an awesome trio. You still are, of course! I think Elizabeth and her family will love Bangkok. My sister and brother-in-law are back from their 8 months in SE Asia. Thailand is the country they visited more than once as they liked it so much. I imagine you and Randy will travel there at some point. I do hope we can catch up at some point before you’re off on your next adventure!
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I love it that we have known each other so long that you can remember when ELizabeth was the first child of your friends. Thanks for the encouraging words about Thailand. Yes, we need to connect when we get back in America. If I remember right, you may have a second grandchild by now, is that right?
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Camille Katherine had to come 3 weeks early, but she is healthy and tiny but beautiful and mighty. We have known each other for quite a bit, and I treasure that.
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As always, I love reading your posts and seeing your travel adventures! Safe travels back home! Jan
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Thank you, Jan!
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Sarah, I always love reading your blog posts but I especially loved this one, as Mike and I visited Cinque Terre last summer during our honeymoon and it was one of our favorite parts of the trip, so I loved reading about your experience there! Isn’t it beautiful? It was funny for us to see you wearing a jacket in your photos, as it was incredibly hot when we were there last July (temps in the 90s). I would love to see you when you’re back in Fairport and hear more about all of your adventures!
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Hi Julie, I would love to get together with you when we return to the US. It would be good to hear about your experience in Cinque Terre. Also, i would love to meet your little sweetheart!
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Loved that you have shared your adventures and admire your adventuresome spirit of your years in Albania. What a treat to travel with your adult daughter. Safe travels back to the states.
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Thanks, Gina!
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As always, I loved your photos and accompanying narrative! So happy Elizabeth was able to share some of your travels with you… what special memories for all of you!
I know exactly how you feel stepping away from teaching while still loving it so much – it’s such a bittersweet decision but I know you will find retirement full of adventures. Congratulations of a wonderful career, Sarah! You remain one of my all time favorite educators. I am in awe of your passion and courage for following your dream to teach in another country – what an incredible achievement! I hope I am able to see you in the Rochester area this summer – I would love to catch up in person!
Safe travels to you and Randy –
Best,
Karen
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Hi Karen,
I must have overlooked your comment from earlier this summer. Sorry! You are always so generous with your kind words about my teaching. I so appreciated having you as an administrator at Dudley for so many years. You ALWAYS put the needs of the kids first. Yes, let’s be in touch about getting together sometime soon. 🙂
Warmly,
Sarah
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