Thursday, August 2, 2012

Hiking in the Pyranees

Our first guided tour of the trip: a hike in the Pyranees, to see cliffs, waterfalls, and medieval villages. Gramma had found this wonderful "small group" tour company, and the group consisted only of the five of us, a couple from Australia, and our Russian-Israeli-Spanish Guide, Alex (born in Moldavia when it was a Soviet Republic, moved to Israel when he was 6 and still an Israeli citizen, but has lived in Spain for 6 years; he speaks about six different languages!). 

We have been wilting in the heat and humidity of Barcelona, and we had hoped for relief in the mountains. It was still hot, but the humidity was much reduced, so we were very happy about that!

Here are a few of the better photos (wish Arthur had brought his really good camera):

The trekkers, with the village of Rupit i Pruit in the background.

Houses along the cobblestone streets. Many had stones over the door with the year of construction carved in. The oldest we saw were from about the 1610s and 1620s. But some are also new, built to fit in with the older stone buildings.



Out on the hike: Alex, our guide, and Arthur talking politics and the global economy.


Most of us posing on a rock overhang.
 
There's Anna. Now she's willing to pose for the camera.

Alex and Alex looking down the sheer cliff face, both turned when I called: Alex!


Anna had control of the camera. I promised to post this picture of a bee.

Looking over the waterfall, except it doesn't flow this time of year.


About to cross the rope bridge that connects two sides of the village, with a creek running down the middle.

Imagine Alex doing the voice of Donkey from Shrek across the whole thing.


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