Bob Tapper: Life Abroad, a documentary travel podcast
Welcome! This is a documentary travel podcast that follows Bob's life as an American Actor, Filmmaker, and Travel Blogger. His journey (so far) includes navigating a global pandemic throughout Europe, surviving a devastating earthquake in Croatia, exploring small town beauty in the Yorkshire area of north England, and living on an island (hammock included!) in the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Bob made a huge change, later in his life, to explore Europe and pursue a passion from his younger years // a passion for acting, filmmaking, and travel. So his new life chapter began on January 1, 2020. What could possibly go wrong? Each month you’ll hear his stories, thoughts, and breakthrough moments along the journey so far. He’ll share bonus episodes of his interesting European experiences and life-changing insights that may be helpful to others. If you’ve ever felt like you want to make a major change in your life, but think it may be too late, or you’re too old, or there’s too much uncertainty right now - his documentary journey may appeal to you.
Bob Tapper: Life Abroad, a documentary travel podcast
S6:Ep3 - From Porto to Tirana: A Visa Pause & a Whole Lot of Flying
MARCH 2025
Hey everyone—checking in from Albania! This month’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I finally moved into my new place in Porto (which felt amazing), but then had to leave Portugal until my visa is approved. Cue the Great Travel Shuffle: Porto > Madrid > Tirana > Frankfurt > US > Frankfurt > Porto. So. Many. Flights.
But you know what? Tirana—and especially the Blloku neighborhood—continues to surprise me. It's my third time here and there's always more history to discover. From strong espressos and people-watching to powerful pieces of history tucked around every corner, it’s been a unique little chapter.
In this episode, I’m talking about the highs, the hectic moments, the history, and what it’s like living out of a suitcase while craving a little stillness. If you’ve ever felt that mix of wanderlust and wanting to just hang your clothes up for once—you’ll get it.
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Email: actorbobtapper@gmail.com
In this episode:
- Moving into my Porto Apartment (for a quick minute)
- Pack, Unpack, Repack and back to Tirana
- Enver Hoxha's Home: 40 years of communist rule
- Postbllok Memorial
- Looking forward to my return to Porto
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Former Residence of Enver Hoxha
Right in the heart of Tirana is a quiet villa that once belonged to Enver Hoxha, Albania’s longtime communist leader. For decades, the entire area around it—now known as Blloku—was completely off-limits, guarded by police and secret agents. It was basically a wall-less fortress for the regime’s elite, hidden in plain sight. Today, it’s one of the city’s liveliest neighborhoods, but that history still lingers.
One of the most powerful spots in Tirana is the Postbllok Memorial—a small but impactful installation created by former political prisoner Fatos Lubonja and artist Ardian Isufi. It features concrete beams from Spaç Prison, part of a military bunker, and a piece of the Berlin Wall gifted by the city of Berlin. Each element tells a story of Albania’s past under dictatorship and its long road to freedom.