Fifteen years ago, we met by chance in the Albanian mountains. We both had no clue it would lead to this wonderful goat-powered adventure!

The golden story

In the winter of 2010, Belgian photographer Frederik Buyckx walked into the remote village of Ploshtan while working on a project. He had no plan for surviving the freezing night. There were no hotels, nor guesthouses, so the Albanian hospitality was his last and only option.

Luckily a door opened… quite literally. Jetmir Brika, farmer and the son of a shepherd, invited the tired traveller inside. He offered Frederik food, warmth and a bed for the night. Frederik instantly became fascinated with life in the Albanian mountains. Since that cold winter, he returns at least once a year to visit Jetmir and his family. Over time Ploshtan became his second home.