A French Girl’s Unbelievable Experience: Finding Gas Canisters and Trekking Poles in Shkoder

“Oh là là… This is going to be a disaster,” I muttered under my breath as I scanned the streets of Shkoder. The city, charming as it is, seemed like the last place on earth I’d find proper trekking gear for my Peaks of the Balkans adventure. But, as they say, appearances can be deceiving – and boy, was I about to be proven wrong.

The Search Begins: Initial Doubts

Landing in Tirana, I thought I had everything under control. “C’est simple,” I told myself. “I’ll find a gas canister on the way to Shkoder, no problem.” Ha! What a joke. After arriving in Shkoder and realizing that finding a gas canister wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined, I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. “C’est ridicule!” I exclaimed, as each store I visited seemed to have everything but what I needed.

Discovering Store and Go: A Pleasant Surprise

Just when I was about to give up, I stumbled upon the Explore Peaks of the Balkans: Tips and Trails Facebook group. Someone mentioned a local business called Store and Go, which supposedly had everything I needed. “Encore un piège à touristes,” I thought, rolling my eyes. But I had no other options, so I decided to give it a shot.

The Experience at Store and Go

I walked into Store and Go, expecting the worst. But to my shock, I found exactly what I needed – Kemper gas canisters! High-quality, perfect for all weather conditions, and available right here in Shkoder. “Mais non, c’est incroyable!” I thought, hardly believing my luck. The best part? They even had trekking poles for rent, which I desperately needed after mine were confiscated at Lyon airport. I chose the carbon fiber poles, which were ultra-light and perfect for the trek.

As if that wasn’t enough, after booking my luggage storage, I received a coupon code for a discount on the gas canisters. “C’est une blague?” I thought, but it was real. I applied the discount immediately and walked out with everything I needed, feeling like I’d won the lottery.

Final Thoughts: From Skeptic to Believer

I’m not one to admit when I’m wrong, but… “Bon, d’accord… je me suis trompée.” Store and Go not only met but exceeded my expectations. For anyone planning to hike the Peaks of the Balkans, do yourself a favor – check them out. They’ve got everything you need, and they’ll make your life a whole lot easier.

Parting Words for Fellow Hikers

If you’re like me and tend to be a bit skeptical, take my advice: sometimes, it’s worth giving local businesses a chance. Store and Go is a perfect example. Whether you’re looking for gas canisters or need to rent trekking poles, they’ve got you covered – and you might even score a discount while you’re at it!