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.

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