Wonderful story. We had a similar experience in a rubber raft on the Santiam River in Oregon, when we were swept by the current beneath a bankside strainer (fallen tree), were tossed from our raft, scrambled to the shore and, while wondering what we'd do next, the raft popped out from under the submerged branches of the tree and we were able to scramble back on to it and continue our float.
I enjoyed reading about your adventure. I live in Tirana and I am going to kayak the Vjosa with a friend from the Greek Border to Tepelene in April. I have already done middle sections of the Vjosa. We are super excited. Did you guys track your journey and time on any GPS tracking app? I am trying estimate how far we can get between daily stops. Be curious if you know the location where you capsized.
This was so fun to read. The click-bait title could have been, "The day I almost died on the wildest river in Europe" but it was much more than that. This captures the essence of adventures in friendly but poor countries so well.
Wonderful story. We had a similar experience in a rubber raft on the Santiam River in Oregon, when we were swept by the current beneath a bankside strainer (fallen tree), were tossed from our raft, scrambled to the shore and, while wondering what we'd do next, the raft popped out from under the submerged branches of the tree and we were able to scramble back on to it and continue our float.
Thank you for sharing your adventure! It reminded me of the wilderness stories of Algernon Blackwood written in the 1890s.
Which rafting company did you hire the gear from?
The Rafting Center Albania - Vjosa Kayak & Canoe Club. Absolutely spectacular folks.
https://raftingcenter.al/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rafting+Center+Albania+-+Vjosa+Kayak+and+Canoe+Club/@40.2307876,20.3635376,182m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!3m7!1s0x135a57ab6421ae55:0x467312dc8853dede!8m2!3d40.2307897!4d20.3644066!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F11j0cwm9y1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I enjoyed reading about your adventure. I live in Tirana and I am going to kayak the Vjosa with a friend from the Greek Border to Tepelene in April. I have already done middle sections of the Vjosa. We are super excited. Did you guys track your journey and time on any GPS tracking app? I am trying estimate how far we can get between daily stops. Be curious if you know the location where you capsized.
I hope you have a great trip on the Vjosa!
I'm glad you liked it! I'm afraid I didn't GPS track this trip - we definitely capsized somewhere between the Greek border and Kanikol though!
Thank you, we are scheduled to go April 3rd. Will keep you posted if there is something eventful!
Awesome! Enjoy!!!
This was so fun to read. The click-bait title could have been, "The day I almost died on the wildest river in Europe" but it was much more than that. This captures the essence of adventures in friendly but poor countries so well.