I visited this place 5 year ago. There were only 8 beach beds, one restaurant where the owners cooked home style food, no people, no music, very few tourists who would leave at 5 o'clock pm. Pure bliss. I ended up camping there for 15 nights that summer with 3 other friends. We would go fishing, hiking and exploring the history of that place. I think of that trip very often. Next year I wanted to do the same thing but accidentally I saw some videos online which showed exactly what you described. Overcrowded, terrible music, no relax. I feel so sorry to this day that I will never be able to enjoy that marvel of nature again, as it was given to us by mother Earth.
I Think Natur is much Biger than a Shala River , my opinion is that who does not like music is planty more places around to go 4 walk ang get away from laud music coz in 100 ppl you cant find all same mind some1 like music and others dont. Anyway the owners slowly they will find out what people like and what they dont like
@@kreshnikgosturani3497 please! spare us the "different people different preferences". Nobody makes an effort to go on such a long trip in the middle of the wilderness- away from the chaos and citiy noises to get a headache from loud club music. It´s mind boggling that the managers even entertain this idea of turning it into a Partyspot in the middle of nature. You want to party? You´re welcome to stay in the big cities or go to Havana Beach Clubs Foam Parties.
James very well described! This is one of the most magickly beautiful spots of Nature in Albania but its poorly managed with all the day trip tourists crowding the place... I usually plan my visits there arriving on Sunday late afternoons (after 3pm) stay overnight and half day the next day. Waking up here when only Nature is heard and seen, is magical!
Per ato biznese qe se kuptojne akoma! parti behet ne qytete ku e kane vendin , njerezit vijne per te vizituar ate parajse dhe te gjejne qetesi nga parti dhe zhurmat e qyteteve te medha
Wow it looks like such a neat spot, little unfortunate people are using it to party if you're just looking to relax but it looks like a good time and I bet the evening was magical it looks like it on video!
@@JamesLeithart seems like there are a lot of cool things in Albania that are tucked into nature, how much I enjoy scenery its gotta be so amazing to explore!
yeah... the foreign youtubers are the real problem not the shitty effort to turn it into cheap party spot in the middle of nature cause we locals never heard of shala river before this videos came up online.
But telling the truth also includes talking about the big waste problem! We were there this year: there is waste everywhere. In the water of the whole komani lake and on the way to the camp there is plastic waste floating everywhere that comes from the visitors and the camps. Everything is taken to the camp by boats and the waste has to be taken back out of the camps by boats. The visitors often leave the waste at the beach. The whole logistics is very critical. Everything is packed in plastic and this plastic often ends up in the water. Best example of over tourism
All true, as well. Although I’m not sure if it’s so much of an example of over tourism as it is just people not taking care of the country… In my experiences in this country, I’ve seen way more locals leaving waste around than tourists. Unfortunately, anywhere in Albania will have a big waste problem.
Been there a couple of years ago. Quite a nice place. Hated the road to go there, up to where you take the boat. It took forever and the road was not in great condition. The boat tour was really lovely. Loved the beautiful nature, crystal clear cold water and the gorgeous views. You need company otherwise you can get easily bored. The music was also a problem for me, quite ridiculous. The thing is that they keep it up because they want the youth that are there to go drink and dance (and I saw quite a few who were doing just that).
yeah of course. And i understand their business model (if you can call it that). Mostly just wanted to point out that the way the place is presented in social media is a far cry from what the actual experience is like… although, isn’t that the way almost everything is?
@@JamesLeithart True. In almost every place that I have been, it is a far cry from what social media describes, and not only in Albania. Unfortunately, tourism in Albania is in an embryo phase, it needs big investments. I saw a couple of your videos, liked them all, and of course I subscribed. I did the contrary of what you have done, I moved from Albania to the US. I miss the old lifestyle, it was more socially active for me and life generally had a slower pace. Here it is all about working and commuting. Keep up the good work.
Good video and amazingly beautiful place . Sorry the balkan people, we just love to be together, loud and to dance all the time. There are moments of joy for everyone on this planet. Sometimes we just have to wait a little bit for our moment. If we save everything from the nature around us, everybody will enjoy forever.
So, was it worth it to stay the night? I am going there in two weeks with my daughter.. Can you buy a oneway ticket and another ticket for the way back?
Might be worth staying the night… but most of the places will have you arrive at 11am the first day and won’t be able to leave until 3pm or so the next. If you’re willing to stay for that long, the evening and morning are really nice.
I visited this place 5 year ago. There were only 8 beach beds, one restaurant where the owners cooked home style food, no people, no music, very few tourists who would leave at 5 o'clock pm. Pure bliss. I ended up camping there for 15 nights that summer with 3 other friends. We would go fishing, hiking and exploring the history of that place. I think of that trip very often. Next year I wanted to do the same thing but accidentally I saw some videos online which showed exactly what you described. Overcrowded, terrible music, no relax. I feel so sorry to this day that I will never be able to enjoy that marvel of nature again, as it was given to us by mother Earth.
I Think Natur is much Biger than a Shala River , my opinion is that who does not like music is planty more places around to go 4 walk ang get away from laud music coz in 100 ppl you cant find all same mind some1 like music and others dont. Anyway the owners slowly they will find out what people like and what they dont like
@@kreshnikgosturani3497 please! spare us the "different people different preferences". Nobody makes an effort to go on such a long trip in the middle of the wilderness- away from the chaos and citiy noises to get a headache from loud club music. It´s mind boggling that the managers even entertain this idea of turning it into a Partyspot in the middle of nature. You want to party? You´re welcome to stay in the big cities or go to Havana Beach Clubs Foam Parties.
So beautiful 😀🌲🦋🛶😎☀️🌊 thank you James for sharing!! Absolutely breathtaking! 😊❤
James very well described! This is one of the most magickly beautiful spots of Nature in Albania but its poorly managed with all the day trip tourists crowding the place... I usually plan my visits there arriving on Sunday late afternoons (after 3pm) stay overnight and half day the next day. Waking up here when only Nature is heard and seen, is magical!
Thanks for this video, we will skip this place and save our time for something else 🥰
Love it, very insightfull video James ♥️
Great job buddy keep up the good work !!!!
Great job as always mate!
Was last summer there... And the music🎶 was a real problem...not an entertainment. Nice job my friend👍
Per ato biznese qe se kuptojne akoma! parti behet ne qytete ku e kane vendin , njerezit vijne per te vizituar ate parajse dhe te gjejne qetesi nga parti dhe zhurmat e qyteteve te medha
Wow it looks like such a neat spot, little unfortunate people are using it to party if you're just looking to relax but it looks like a good time and I bet the evening was magical it looks like it on video!
you could almost relax a little bit further up the river… but not quite the same
@@JamesLeithart seems like there are a lot of cool things in Albania that are tucked into nature, how much I enjoy scenery its gotta be so amazing to explore!
Po vini musike o njerez 24 ore ??? Njerzit vijne per pushuar jo stres , James po thote qe muzika non stop , mendoni mire per businesin
Brravo djaloshe
Probably also be a lot more peaceful and real without CZcamsrs like you making videos about it…..
yeah... the foreign youtubers are the real problem not the shitty effort to turn it into cheap party spot in the middle of nature cause we locals never heard of shala river before this videos came up online.
Thanks man, I was planning a day trip, now I'm either not going at all or going to stay the night, if time permits.
happy to help 🙏
I just know what we'll record here this summer
we will not be going here this summer. been there once, not necessary again.
Vero paradiso. ❤
But telling the truth also includes talking about the big waste problem! We were there this year: there is waste everywhere. In the water of the whole komani lake and on the way to the camp there is plastic waste floating everywhere that comes from the visitors and the camps. Everything is taken to the camp by boats and the waste has to be taken back out of the camps by boats. The visitors often leave the waste at the beach. The whole logistics is very critical. Everything is packed in plastic and this plastic often ends up in the water. Best example of over tourism
All true, as well. Although I’m not sure if it’s so much of an example of over tourism as it is just people not taking care of the country… In my experiences in this country, I’ve seen way more locals leaving waste around than tourists. Unfortunately, anywhere in Albania will have a big waste problem.
Albaniaaaaaaaaaa 🦅❤
Been there a couple of years ago. Quite a nice place. Hated the road to go there, up to where you take the boat. It took forever and the road was not in great condition. The boat tour was really lovely. Loved the beautiful nature, crystal clear cold water and the gorgeous views. You need company otherwise you can get easily bored. The music was also a problem for me, quite ridiculous. The thing is that they keep it up because they want the youth that are there to go drink and dance (and I saw quite a few who were doing just that).
yeah of course. And i understand their business model (if you can call it that). Mostly just wanted to point out that the way the place is presented in social media is a far cry from what the actual experience is like… although, isn’t that the way almost everything is?
@@JamesLeithart True. In almost every place that I have been, it is a far cry from what social media describes, and not only in Albania. Unfortunately, tourism in Albania is in an embryo phase, it needs big investments. I saw a couple of your videos, liked them all, and of course I subscribed. I did the contrary of what you have done, I moved from Albania to the US. I miss the old lifestyle, it was more socially active for me and life generally had a slower pace. Here it is all about working and commuting. Keep up the good work.
@@Flavor88 thanks for subscribing. I'm glad you enjoy the stories I'm telling.
Albania n usbakestan which country is good for better life job n bussine which country is good pls give me reply thanking you
Tajland in Europe fantastico Albanian
Shum. Buku❤❤
WWAAAAOOOO
Good video and amazingly beautiful place . Sorry the balkan people, we just love to be together, loud and to dance all the time. There are moments of joy for everyone on this planet. Sometimes we just have to wait a little bit for our moment. If we save everything from the nature around us, everybody will enjoy forever.
⭐🦅❤
Bjudifulle albenje
Ahahaha
Do u like Shkodra?
🇦🇱💪
So, was it worth it to stay the night? I am going there in two weeks with my daughter.. Can you buy a oneway ticket and another ticket for the way back?
Might be worth staying the night… but most of the places will have you arrive at 11am the first day and won’t be able to leave until 3pm or so the next. If you’re willing to stay for that long, the evening and morning are really nice.
@@JamesLeithart thanks!
🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱
Albanians and europeans like to party James.