|
|
Post by manulike on Oct 29, 2018 22:27:33 GMT
Has anyone managed to find a Speech recognition app that works OFFLINE for Albanian? Google Translate allows to load the dictionary offline, but doesn't do the speech facility.
Also, is there an app out there that allows the CAMERA function FROM Albanian to English offline?
For some reason, the Google Trans only allows ENG to Albanian ...
Will I be wrong in assuming that GREEK would be the first foreign language of choice out there, or would it be ITALIAN?
|
|
|
|
Post by cymroircarn on Oct 30, 2018 6:22:33 GMT
According to Wiki:
Official languages: Albanian
Main foreign languages: Italian, English, French and many other European languages
Minority languages: Greek, Macedonian, Romani, Serbian, Aromanian
So take your pick :-)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 7:43:45 GMT
What’s everyone doing for cash? Hole in the wall? Exchanging Pounds / Euros?
Taxi etiquette would be handy too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martyn Moses on Oct 30, 2018 7:53:28 GMT
I was going to ask too what the best exchange rate is , Euros or Pounds to buy Lek out there ?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ger on Oct 30, 2018 8:02:34 GMT
What’s everyone doing for cash? Hole in the wall? Exchanging Pounds / Euros? Taxi etiquette would be handy too. As with every wales away cashpoint for me when we arrive |
|
|
|
Post by Ger on Oct 30, 2018 8:05:15 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 8:56:00 GMT
I used hole in the wall for Georgia. I withdrew 600 Lari which was about £175 and really, really struggled to spend it. Bottles of Argo were 5 Lari a time. I just took as much as 200 with me each day and left the rest in my suitcase in the hotel.
Albanian Lek seems a high number currency just like Serbian Dinar was. Quantities start at 100 and reach 5000. You just need to be careful when they can't change what you're spending. 500 bills should be sufficient for eating and drinking.
Counting down the days to this one.
|
|
|
|
Post by superunknown on Oct 30, 2018 9:26:54 GMT
Monzo card, been a godsend for the past few times I've been abroad. Just gonna use that in the first ATM I see in Albania.
|
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Oct 30, 2018 11:38:54 GMT
Most travelers seem to suggest that the Euro is widely accepted, even in coins.
So for those not staying too long, I'd say draw out no more than 3000 lek / day (£20) - which you will struggle to spend! Apparently, some hotels insist on payment in Euros.
As for Georgia. I stayed there 3 weeks and really struggled to spend £100/week - studio apartment included ;-)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 13:27:55 GMT
Will places try and whack up the price purely because we’re there? Belgrade menus were laminated paper with photos and English text. I don’t begrudge them making a living as our waitress worked very hard and got a nice tip too. Still costs us to get there!
£2.00 a large beer will do me. I’ll be buying things too. My mum’s fridge is decorated with places she’s never been too and the colleagues will get sweets and biscuits. It’s all Tenerife, Crete, Rome and then Tirana where I work.
An adventure to come!
|
|
|
|
Post by grifftinfoilhat on Oct 31, 2018 17:33:00 GMT
Monzo card, been a godsend for the past few times I've been abroad. Just gonna use that in the first ATM I see in Albania. I've got a Starling one. Similar thing, essential for these trips. |
|
|
|
Post by TheWelshWay on Oct 31, 2018 17:51:13 GMT
What are people doing with phones (i suppose other than not using them without wi-fi) any ideas about costs?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ger on Oct 31, 2018 17:58:14 GMT
What are people doing with phones (i suppose other than not using them without wi-fi) any ideas about costs? Just use wifi with airplane mode on. if im pissed and lost then just accept the £2 a minute charge and call a mate! |
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Oct 31, 2018 20:42:43 GMT
No more Billionaire Club party ... but instead the party now has moved to inside Elbasan Castle ;=)
|
|
|
|
Post by rees73 on Oct 31, 2018 20:44:44 GMT
Anyone staying in Elbasan the night of the game? Thinking about staying there rather than heading back to Tirana as I'm off to Berat on the Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Oct 31, 2018 20:52:59 GMT
Anyone staying in Elbasan the night of the game? Thinking about staying there rather than heading back to Tirana as I'm off to Berat on the Wednesday. Yes. A couple of guest houses inside the Castle Walls :=)
|
|
|
|
Post by cantonwelsh79 on Nov 1, 2018 9:45:45 GMT
Anyone staying in Elbasan the night of the game? Thinking about staying there rather than heading back to Tirana as I'm off to Berat on the Wednesday. Yes I'm staying in Elbasan for that night, know a few people doing this. |
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 1, 2018 16:05:29 GMT
I see that the Ticketing staff are going to enjoy their stay this time around ;-) Very central location. With 1500 tickets sold thus far, we may well take around 1700 over - so very similar to Chisinau - and that trip was really bouncing.
|
|
|
|
Post by eppingblue on Nov 1, 2018 17:47:54 GMT
No more Billionaire Club party ... but instead the party now has moved to inside Elbasan Castle ;=) Bollux I only land at 1 oclock. Cutting it fine I think. |
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 1, 2018 18:35:26 GMT
No more Billionaire Club party ... but instead the party now has moved to inside Elbasan Castle ;=) Bollux I only land at 1 oclock. Cutting it fine I think. Share a taxi with a couple of others and it should only be around 50km / 1 hour to Elbasan. Most people seem to claim circa 3500 lek / £23 (although the official airport taxi service is 7000).
KO is confirmed for 8pm - so loads of drinking time. Its a swift 15 minute walk from the bar to the stadium
|
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 1, 2018 23:04:04 GMT
POSSIBLE AIRPORT TO TIRANA TAXI FOR 1500 lek / £10
A couple of years ago, a Trip Advisor poster recommended this small company.
The web page has a 04 Tirana landline as well as a 069 mobile number. The top right corner allows you to reserve including a preference of driver's second language.
Worth filling the form and seeing if you get a response - otherwise, just email them info@speedtaxi.al
|
|
|
|
Post by TheWelshWay on Nov 2, 2018 7:27:43 GMT
POSSIBLE AIRPORT TO TIRANA TAXI FOR 1500 lek / £10
A couple of years ago, a Trip Advisor poster recommended this small company.
The web page has a 04 Tirana landline as well as a 069 mobile number. The top right corner allows you to reserve including a preference of driver's second language.
Worth filling the form and seeing if you get a response - otherwise, just email them info@speedtaxi.al
Is £10 the expected charge from the airport? Been offered a transfer for £20 from our hotel. |
|
|
|
Post by TheWelshWay on Nov 2, 2018 7:29:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by rioonamazy on Nov 2, 2018 11:49:55 GMT
Theres a shuttle bus that drops of at skanderberg square for £2. about half hour
TIA - Tirane: 08:00;09:00;10:00;11;00;12:00;13:00;14:00;15:00;16:00;17:00;18;00;19:00;21:00;23:00
|
|
|
|
Post by mrpicton on Nov 2, 2018 13:24:05 GMT
Many of the hotels offer an airport shuttle service - worth asking in advance - especially if arriving very late. I think ours is charging $13
|
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 3, 2018 18:40:14 GMT
Monzo card, been a godsend for the past few times I've been abroad. Just gonna use that in the first ATM I see in Albania. I've got a Starling card. Similar thing, essential for these trips. For anyone without those two debit / preloaded cards ... read this
|
|
|
|
Post by claretcymro on Nov 3, 2018 20:18:27 GMT
Many of the hotels offer an airport shuttle service - worth asking in advance - especially if arriving very late. I think ours is charging $13 Our hotel offered return airport shuttle for 25 Euros which I've booked. |
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 4, 2018 21:28:55 GMT
Although I did post this about six months ago ... its worth re-posting ... and I did double check with both places re price and opening hours on Face Book last week ;-)
Dajti Ekspres Cable car
Take the blue bus (40 lek) for about 20 mins, then walk uphill 5 minutes to the cable car terminus. It’s The “Porcelan” bus that goes towards "Linzë", which is blue and departs from the Tower Clock (Sahati), in the centre of Tirana near Skenderbeg square mosque. The lower station of Dajti Ekspres is a 5 minute uphill walk from the last bus stop (Teleferiku). Alternatively, visitors may get off the bus at I.K.V and take the Dajti Ekspres minibus which is stationed 10 metres behind the I.K.V stop
Cable car is 800 lek or €6 return trip. Student Ticket is 5 euro instead of 6 euro
The Dajti Ekspres cable car is Open 9am-7pm everyday in Winter except Tuesdays !!!
Return cable-car (20 minute ride!) is 800 lek or €6 (which is better value)…
There is also a mini-golf course for €10/pp…
Bunk’art 1
The underground nuclear war complex – opened only in 2016
Find the blue bus that goes towards Linzë or use same “Porcelan” bus to mount Dajti cable car station (above)!
Entry is only 500 lek or 700 lek with audio. Or, Bring your own headphones and download their free app to your phone.
Open 9am-4pm everyday except Tuesdays !
|
|
|
|
Post by gwernybwch on Nov 4, 2018 22:30:37 GMT
I've got a Starling card. Similar thing, essential for these trips. For anyone without those two debit / preloaded cards Is one better than the other? Or is there an even better one out there? |
|
|
|
Post by manulike on Nov 4, 2018 23:46:47 GMT
For anyone without those two debit / preloaded cards Is one better than the other? Or is there an even better one out there? I can't really say for sure, but I am quite happy with Starling. Never had a Monzo card. Will always use it for ATM withdrawals with no cost. And will usually use Halifax Clarity for regular spending.
Works as an app on your phone together with an actual MasterCard.
It only took them 2 working days to mail it over as well ;-)
|
|
