VI
EN
In mid-June, when the European weather was just sunny enough to be radiant, yet gentle enough not to be scorching, Trinh Nam Thai and Pham Bich Ngoc set foot in the Republic of Albania - a land still largely unknown on mainstream European travel maps.
A view of Berat - the city of a thousand windows in southern Albania.
A pristine land - Southern Republic of Albania
Upon arriving in this remote southern European country, Thai and Ngoc realized that the land still retained an astonishingly pristine beauty. Even the famous landmarks weren't overcrowded with tourists. Albania appeared wild and rustic, "like being in Hanoi and then going to a rural area in Dien Bien," he felt.
Ms. Pham Bich Ngoc - Mr. Thai's wife - is enjoying a stroll in Berat city.
The winding, remote road led Thai and Ngoc to southern Albania. Located near the town of Permet, in the Benje region famous for its hot springs, the Langarica Gorge is a prominent natural landmark of the country. This deep, narrow gorge, about 4-5 meters long, was formed by the Langarica River flowing through layers of limestone. Its spectacular scenery, with sheer cliffs, waterfalls, caves, and clear streams meandering through pristine forests, has earned it the nickname "Grand Canyon" of Albania.
The Langarica Gorge - one of the most spectacular gorges in the Republic of Albania.
As one of the most majestic and beautiful canyons in the country, the road to Langarica is also a journey that reveals the wonders of nature.
Training course for driving "ox carts" into the Langarica canyon.
Thai and Ngoc decided to "break the mold," both literally and figuratively. "We drove along a large geological fault line stretching for hundreds of kilometers, starting (perhaps) from the Osumi Canyon viewing point," Thai recalled.
The mountain ranges stretch endlessly in the Langarica Gorge.
Turning off the smooth paved road, the two followed a trail along the Langarica River. The sound of tires hitting gravel echoed, marking the beginning of a winding off-road journey of over 17 km at an average speed of only about 10-15 km/h. “Initially, the road was flat until we peacefully passed about 1.5 km of dirt road, then the car started climbing,” Thai recalled.
The low-slung car crawled over potholes and bumps, climbed steep slopes, and crossed several hills surrounded by towering mountains. The scenery along the road gradually became deserted, completely devoid of the sounds of vehicles or people. They stopped to admire the view, marveling at the majestic nature, but a vague thought crossed their minds: were they sure this was the road to Langarica Canyon?
The wild and majestic nature gradually unfolds along the rugged, rocky road.
The couple spent over three hours covering the 17km distance. On average, the car only traveled about 10km per hour. The low-slung vehicle was unsuitable for the bumpy, potholed terrain, but it significantly improved Thai's off-road driving skills – a free but intense off-road driving training course on a real mountain road.
Leaving the valley, we arrive at the town of Permet.
The initial skepticism was temporarily eased upon spotting a small house – the only homestay in the area – and a few surprised and curious glances from the locals. They called out to each other as if it had been a long time since anyone had "emerged" from the tiny road barely wide enough for a small car.
Continuing for about 900 meters, the path led them to a small village with a few huts and rudimentary roofs, where the people made their living by raising goats, sheep, and cattle. The fading afternoon light behind the two steep cliffs made the village seem to shrink into the early twilight. Although the language barrier meant the conversation ended quickly, the friendly smiles and waves helped Thai and Ngoc ease their anxiety after hours of trudging through the valley without phone signal.
Scenes of daily life in a small village on the way to the town of Permet.
Finally, as the wheels rolled out of the canyon in the dead of night, the first sounds of traffic in the distance brought a sigh of relief to the couple. They had arrived at Permet, a small town about a 20-minute drive from Langarica.
Langarica Gorge - the pristine beauty of a land
The Langarica Canyon appeared the following morning as a well-deserved reward for those unafraid of the challenge. The deep canyon, with its sheer cliffs on either side, meandered along a crystal-clear hot spring. Right next to it was the Kadiut Bridge, an ancient Ottoman-style stone bridge, a historical landmark amidst the pristine natural landscape.
Hot springs and Kadiut Bridge in the Langarica Gorge
Visitors can relax in the warm water, stroll amidst the majestic mountains, or simply sit by the bridge, breathe in the scent of damp rocks, and feel the gentle flow of water winding through the crevices.
Langarica may not be as glamorous as other well-known tourist destinations, but that's precisely why it retains an authentic, original, and poetic charm. For Thai and Ngoc, it's not just a destination, but a vivid map of their youthful memories: the times they "crawled" along mountain roads, the dusty red curves, the unfamiliar glances, and the precious silence in the heart of the rocky mountains. Ultimately, the interesting things are part of the journey, and the destination is a reward, a conclusion that opens up a new journey.
Langarica retains its authentic, original, and poetic character.
After arriving in Langarica, the world map in their minds added another tiny, distant dot, in a country, a canyon, a place perhaps few Vietnamese people would ever venture to. “With a spirit of adventure, we must go wherever we can to see the world, so that when we are old, we will have no regrets about our youth,” said Trinh Nam Thai & Pham Bich Ngoc.
