July 31, 2011

Back in Albania.
Over a month has passed since my last blog, and i am once again back in Albania. We touched down in Tirana On Tuesday afternoon after a few good flights, and then drove a couple hours to our home in Fier. Upon our arrival we learned that they were just finishing the current well, so we would have one day at the rig to lay down/service tools, followed by a couple days off. Wednesday morning we arrived at the rig, to find i had been assigned an Albanian trainee by the name of Altin. He seems like a nice guy, and speaks real good english. We did not end up getting to the mwd tools today, so we spent the day rolling up cables, and studying manuals.

Thursday Morning Wayne, Morgan, Andy, and i decided to head to a local beach just outside Fier. The actual name of the beach i do not know, but the fellows i was travelling with uttered the words simmons/salmons/semens beach to a local Cab drive and off we went.

The beach was really nice, with much more sand than the ones found Down in Vlore.

The beaches were populated by 25 or more bars that look like they could be put up, or torn down in a day if need be. They all rented beach chairs out front for $1 and delivered your choice of Peroni ($1.50), or Corona ($2) Beer right to your lawn chair. 

For 40 cents you could even have a fresh Watermelon off the horse drawn cart.

Below is Morgan selecting us a nice small one as he only had a one inch knife to cut it up.

Morgan dividing the watermelon 4 ways, Wayne in the Background.

Apparently after 4 beers i should not be allowed to operate the Machete like cutting utensil.

The Cab driver who drove us to the beach had to borrow 1000 Leke (about $10) to get gas. This got him less than 6 liters and $20 in fare once we reached the beach . So as a result he hung around all day rather than make another 20 minute drive out from Fier to come get us later on. Rather than wear sunscreen he rolled in the sand, had one beer but refused offers of more (apparently shocked at the Canadians who drink so many beers on the beach starting at 10am).

Friday Wayne and i spent the Morning Getting phones, Sim Cards, and some minutes for the phones. We then spent the afternoon hiding from the sun, and nursing the Lobster red Burns we had received the previous day. Saturday we returned to the Rig and spent the day setting up for this next well. As i sit here now it is Sunday, and we are waiting to pick up our tools.