A well organised day out to Albania. From arriving at the Port of Corfu it's obvious where to park on the right hand side. Park up, walk for 5 minutes to the Passport Control. (Don't There be confused by the cruise boats loading, these are going to Paxos AntiPaxos so dont need Passports, walk past them). The Ionian Cruises rep met us and issued us with blue boarding cards (you need these to get out of and back into the Port of Saranda later) and told us where to go to check in. So, through Passport Control, all very simple, there is a small duty free concession if you need tobacco, alcohol etc. (Now we didn't use this because we didn't want to cart stuff around Albania. As it turns out we could have left it on the coach, so don't let that put you off.) After Passport Control there is a waiting area, when your boat docks and the passengers are off you board. Now, this bit is odd. You must pay a €20 per person Port tax for Saranda (Albania) on the ferry. There is one lady doing this, and it takes time, relax, you'll get there. She'll issue you with either Green slips (going to Butrint) or white ones, (not going to Butrint). Save them, you'll need them later. Find a seat, relax, and enjoy the views of Albania and Corfu as they slip by. There is a coffee hatch if you want a brew. If you haven't any water, buy some here if you're going to Butrint. You're going to need it!
Arrive Saranda Port. Have your blue boarding card ready, and your green/white slip. Wave your card at the customs people and walk through. Take your Green slip to a coach that has a sign showing your language, (English/German/Spanish may be on the same coach so don't let this throw you).
Once on the coach the Ionian rep will take your Green slip for headcount and you're off to Butrint. Which is amazing. Just, amazing. (Remember you can leave stuff on the coach, dont go humping stiff around unnecessarily) Yournguide will shower you with relebvamt information about their country, they're very proud of it amd it shows. It does flood at the Roman site apparently but when we went it was dry, but wear sensible footwear, you're doing some walking, hence the water. There's plenty of shade. If you're Australian it'll feel like home. You'll see why.
Head to the museum after walking about the place, then to a local restaurant close by. Good , fresh , tasty lunch and lots of it, drinks extra but cheap, beers and pop etc.
After lunch back on the coach and back to Saranda. The coach drops you off in town not far from the Port. (Take everything this time) We only had an hour and a half before the ferry left so we did a little fridge magnet shopping and popped for a beer in an Irish pub of all places. The beach looked beautiful but it wasn't for us.
We met up with the tour guide again and walked to the Port gates.
Flash your card back at the Port, trot onto the Ferry hand back your blue cards, sit down, relax enjoy the views.
Arrive Corfu, Passport control, back to car. Done, lovely day had.
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