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.

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