A voyage to Lilliput
We weren’t washed ashore, neither were we considered giants nor did we have to flee. Quite the opposite. Our small Peugeot rental took us rattling up the hills to Spain’s smallest neighbour. Despite being surrounded by darkness, I could feel the serenity of the mountains. We were the tiny people. And the mountains looked down upon us like giants.
The population of Lilliput Andorra is roughly 80 000, of which roughly 30 000 are nationals. Separate from the European Union the country pride itself as a tourist magnet, attracting millions of visitors each year, and as a tax haven. Clueless about the country’s history, I now understand why it has primarily been left alone from the countless wars Europe has suffered in its past. Bordered only by Spain and France and located at an average altitude of 1400 metres above sea level, this make the country a challenge to reach.
No issue for our Peugeot though.
Promising on average 300 days of sun each year, one could start to wonder if the mountains would be dressed in white. Especially considering the fatality of this year’s winter. On day two, as it turned out, it snowed so much that police were commandeered to ensure every driver used snow-chains. We bought a set for our little rental. Then the road closed and we had drive back down again, and up the next.
But as they say, with fresh snow comes great skiing. And so we skied.
