Hotel Chapelle et Parc Lourdes

... from the French side, knowing that just on the other side was the Ordessa Canyon that we had walked 3 days early.

Back at the Hotel Chili, Sue defended her title as mini-golf champion, even though all the obsticals had been removed. After dinner, Sue checked out the ...

... They don't have the same impact only because getting to the base is a longer walk. But they are big!! Apparently it is a popular ice climbing destination. Yikes!!

         

... of those guys flying up and down these crazy roads. Everyone was very happy to see us when got back and enjoyed a nice pizza in town complete with a little kiddie room with toys. They know how to make it comfortable for parents with kids.
 
                             

... cute main town. Clearly, rock climbing is very popular in this area. In the photos, play "spot the climber."

                 

On Sunday, we checked into new home, Hotel Chili, which is all self-contained apartments. The accommodation was simple but was made up for by the giant lawn with Mini-Golf course, free range chickens, and playground within walking distance. And FREE LAUNDRY!!! Needless to say, Sue was in heaven. We played Mini-golf that night and Sue kicked Tom's butt. Embarrassing...

       

The next day, we took the kids for a lunch time hike along the GR10 to Lac du Gaube with a view of Vignemale the highest mountain in the French ...

We spent a lazy day in and around our hotel, casually visiting Luz Saint Sauveur, about 10 minutes from our hotel. We also drove up to Gavarnie, the famous Cirque in the region. There weren't much in the ways of views as the mountains were in the clouds.
 
 

This was our earliest start of our day, as Ev, Julie, and Dami needed to get to Madrid by noon, which is a 5 hour drive in the best conditions. So 6am we said our goodbyes from the parking lot across the street from our campground. Why? Because the gates don't open until 8am. They drove off while Sue, Tom, Evie ...

Based in Lourdes for our rides through the Pyrenees. I have to say that it is an odd placz - for somewhere that is supposed to be a special and holy place for christians it is one of the most commercialised places taking advantage of something that is important to a lot of people... plus the tourists/pilgrims there were ...

... From there, we need to reach Wuhan by bus defore taking a train south to Guilin and finally Hanoi (another 30h or so). july 12-16: visit Hanoi, take a tour to Along Bay july 17-18: we will try to sleep at the Cuc Phuong Parc, and visit Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. Then we will head south to Hue july 19 ...