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I slept like a dead log. Oh, such a comfy bed for once, lovely! I was staying at an hotel that I found on hostelworld, because they have a few dorms too. So it’s still kinda an hostel, ok?! And it still felt less hotely than any A&O « hostels ». And it was also about 20 m from the Perpignan train station.

A short ride to start off the day, to Fuilla. It passed by Ille-sur-Têt and its amazing orgues, hoodoos reminiscent of Bryce Canyon NP in the United States, on a micro-scale though. I visited them, and fell inamorata with the area, in 2022 (2021?), after taking the Yellow Train of the Pyrénées.

And guess what’s the plan for today? Taking the Yellow Train again! But this time, not alone!

Indeed, my mom is joining me for a few hours today! She drove all the way to Fuilla, the departure station of the Yellow Train. We first did a quick walk in the nearby fortified village of Villefranche-de-Conflent, and soon it was time to go.

But what is this fabled Yellow Train? Well, it’s a very interesting and unusual train, that is both a touristic attraction, and also is part of the SNCF regional trains network. Most importantly, it has a couple of open, roofless carriages, so you can enjoy the three hours of Pyrénées crossing with a crazy panoramic view, for just 24 €. Hear that Switzerland?

The railway goes up to 1,593 m no less, and goes through many tunnels and bridges, and the first half is spent atop of a deep valley, with stunning views. The second half is on a high plateau, with endless meadows. It finishes its course by sneaking its way between the Spanish exclave of Llivia [Llívia] and Spain proper. Somehow, I didn’t appreciate the splendor of the ride as much as the first time. I’m not sure if it was because I’ve already done it (both ways), or because I was focused on catching up with my mom, or maybe because I took 299 trains before on this trip.

Wait? Does that mean…?

Yes! Mom got the lucky unplanned honour to share train number 300!!! That’s including all metros, trams, train-trams, suspended monorails, funiculars and people movers though.

It was really great to have both my parents come for one day on this trip, although in my mom’s case, only for four short hours. Already, just arrived at the terminus in Enveitg, I need to jump on the next train to L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, just in case something goes wrong with the rest of today’s adventure.

As the name suggests, L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre is near Andorra. Less than two kilometers as the crow flies to the Easternmost point of the country, and about 13 km by car to its entry point of El Pas de la Casa. However, there are no public transport at all between both. Which is just beyond me… Having learned that just after the day with my mom was planned and my hostel booked, I didn’t have much choice than to hitchhike. It’s 700 m positive gradient to there, not possible with the backpack, even though, thanks mom, it’s now a good kilogram lighter.

I made a sign with a cardboard that my mom bring me, and started the waiting game. And to my  surprise, I only had to wait about 20 min! A nice guy took me, and I wasn’t the first hitchhiker in there. He really saved me from a big ordeal! As I can see from the windows, it is STEEP. We’re in the middle of the Pyrénées here. Wherever you are, thank you very much sir.

Hola Andorra!

I was there once in 2018, by car, for just a couple hours. Driving (literally) here drove me (figuratively) mad, and thus I didn’t get to see much. Let’s hope for a better stay this time.

The driver dropped me in El Pas de la Casa, where I took a bus that stopped just in front of the hostel in Les Escaldes. I checked in and quickly went in town, going down the long pedestrian street that extends into the capital city of Andorra la Vella.

There was an AliExpress shop. For real!