Hiking, Spain

Sierra de Guara

Dealing with bureaucrats is probably the most frustrating of human endeavours. Our package, containing our replacement tent and stove has been in Barcelona for days but Spanish customs told us they would not release it until we pay 235 euros in duties, fees and taxes. After hours on the phone and sending them all kinds of documents, I had to sign a declaration that I would pay the money upon delivery, and then delivery would commence but would not be guaranteed by the time we were scheduled to leave Barcelona.

We decided to go hiking as planned and let the universe unfold as it would, hoping the package would get delivered prior to our departure. We packed the car and set off for Sierra de Guara and the village of Alquezar, a lovely medieval town about 3 hours northwest of Barcelona.

We rented an apartment for a few nights and went hiking in the spectacular canyon landscape around Alquezar and the nearby town of Rodellar. While there, I received an email from FedEx in response to my complaint about the problem with my package, and miraculously the package was delivered without any further charges. Funny that I had to send a complaint to FedEx in the United States before the company’s employees in Spain would process my package without any further delay or charges.

Anyway, we have a new tent and stove and will be ready for the next part of our journey. Meanwhile, we spent a few days hiking in Sierra de Guara with Alba and Gérard. Here are some photographs.

Stick Man.
Crossing stone bridge in a canyon near Alquezar.
A glimpse of the Sierra de Guara.
A good start to any morning.
Alquezar street.
Restaurant decorations in Alquezar.
Sun going down on the Alquezar canyons.
A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.
Winter grasses.
The monastery at Alquezar at sunset.
Gloomy morning.
Alquezar canyons.
Column detail at the Alquezar monastery.
Conglomerate on one side of the valley.
Stone bridge.
It’s so small!
Dog at the monastery.
Which way?
Alquezar.
On the road.
Paul’s new suede shoes.
Caves in the karst of Alquezar canyon.
Stone bridge.
Jan taking a break.
Climbing out of a canyon.
A bit of yoga.
Vulture.
Vulture.
Frescoes at the Alquezar monastery.
Love birds.
Vulture.
Alba.
Alba and GéŽrard in a canyon near Alquezar.
Alquezar.
Bark.
Sharing a beer and chips at the end of the day.
Cave.
Alquezar door knokker.
Our lodgings in Alquezar.
The Pyrenees.
Alquezar canyons.
For sale. Tempting!
Alquezar canyons.
Hiking into the Sierra de Guara.
A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.
Dog at the monastery.
Cave painting between 5,000 and 8,000 years old.
One last warm-up before heading out.
Alba checking the weather from the cabin.
GéŽrard at the site of where a mill used to stand on the river in the canyon.
Winter reeds.
Single file into the Sierra de Guara.
Looking out from the Alquezar monastery.
GéŽrard making breakfast.
Alquezar.
A walkway along the canyon wall.
The gang in Alquezar. Thank you Alba and Gérard for you fabulous hospitality. Until next time.
The gang in Alquezar. Thank you Alba and Gérard for you fabulous hospitality. Until next time.
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Paul vanPeenen

Perpetually travelling or in between trips.

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