Travelogue: National Park, “Blue Eye” in Albania through my Camera Lens

I had the luck to visit in 2009, one of the most beautiful National Parks in the Balkans. The National Park “Blue Eye” or Syri i Kaltër, is situated near the city of Saranda in Albania. “Blue Eye” National Park has 18 natural springs and was blocked to visitors as it was the private retreat of Enver Halil Hoxha, the communist leader of Albania. The National park is full of hazelnut, walnut, cherry, pine and fir trees.

In the National Park, the visitor can find a unique spring, the eponymous “Blue Eye”, a geologic phenomenon of tectonic origin; where water in the inner part of the spring appears very dark blue - like the pupil of an eye - and a lighter color of blue as an outer ring – the iris. Tourists tend to throw stones into the eye just to see them disappear at first and then come bubbling back up, as the water springs from a very deep source with immense pressure. Actually, German Divers and Environmental Scientists have managed to descend to 50 meters, but it is still to be found what the actual depth of the spring is. It must also be noted that the water is freezing cold. You will rarely find a tourist crazy enough to swim into the spring's water. Well, I did!...and boy was it cold!

Another pleasant activity at the Park is enjoying lunch at the State-owned restaurant that is located near the Park’s waterfall. The venue has tables built on a balustrade above a fresh spring water river. The restaurant serves coffee, deserts and traditional Albanian food such as roast lamb and grilled trout and bream. Also, tourists may enjoy picnics in designated areas.

Directions – How to Get There: There is no public transport to the sight. It is situated between Saranda and Gjirokaster. The taxi fare for the Saranda – Blue Eye trip would cost about 7-8€, but the tourist would have to hustle as the cab driver will initially ask for 15-20€. There is one single sign that say “Tourist Attraction”. There is parking space near the Park.

Accomodation - Where to Stay: There is no accommodation near the Park. Prefer to stay in Saranda City which is supposed to be the Albanian Riviera (it is not).

So, enjoy the “Blue Eye”. All photographs were taken by me in August 2009.

Travelogue: The Most Beautiful Greek Island - CRETE at a Glance

Greek Islands: Serifos Through My Camera Lens

Travelling in Greece - Greek Islands through my Lens: Melos and Kalymnos

Tunisia through my Lens

England: London Through My Camera Lens