Hi,
I've never been to Europe (I'm from Australia and living in Thailand).
I fly into France (CDG Airport) on 21 April at about 7.40am.
I would like to take the train straight to Bayonne. I'm not in a rush and was thinking of spending a night in Bayonne (21st) and then arriving in SJPP the later afternoon the next day (22nd). I was going to spend a day (23rd) in and around SJPP before beginning my walk on the 24th.
Here are some of the questions I'm hoping for some insite on:
- Train - I don't know alot about the train system in France (I'm reading and learning slowly). I'm always worried about flight delays and cancellations especially in these times and like to stay as flexible as possible in my arrangements. Question- is it better to prebook my train ticket now or is it easy to book and pay at the station? Is it more expensive to book at the train station? Is there a risk of no tickets left if I buy on the day?
- Refuge Orrison - I really want to just enjoy my Camino walk instead of feeling like I have to rush and push myself. I love the freedom of walking and I love just stopping where I feel the urge and sitting and enjoying the view and fresh air for a bit. So even tho I could survive the first days walk over the mountain, I'd prefer to stay at the Refuge along the way so I can enjoy two days of walking the mountain slower and savouring it. However, my current concerns are these.... I have to travel through several stops on my way to France and covid is high where I am currently. I have a risky stopover in Bangkok where if I test positive for covid they quarantine you for 10 days (regardless of symptoms or not). So there is a risk which I can't control in my Camino starting date potentially being delayed if I catch covid or have to go into quarantine. I'm also watching the weather in the beginning stage of the Camino and it's still snowing... I understand the normal route through the mountain won't be open of the weather is bad (plus I hate the cold and the snow will reduce the beauty for me). Does anyone have any thoughts on wether I should just plan on taking the alternative route and just plan for the mountain pass to be closed? Is the alternative route shorter than the mountain pass? I want to avoid a strenuous first day so I set the pace for the rest of the walk. Id love any insite on the alternative route (distance and anywhere to stay along the way). I'm happy to do the research if you point me in the right direction. I was about to prebook the Refuge because I know it sells out (fast?) but I'm worried about the above two issues.
Thanks for your thoughts and guidance.
I've never been to Europe (I'm from Australia and living in Thailand).
I fly into France (CDG Airport) on 21 April at about 7.40am.
I would like to take the train straight to Bayonne. I'm not in a rush and was thinking of spending a night in Bayonne (21st) and then arriving in SJPP the later afternoon the next day (22nd). I was going to spend a day (23rd) in and around SJPP before beginning my walk on the 24th.
Here are some of the questions I'm hoping for some insite on:
- Train - I don't know alot about the train system in France (I'm reading and learning slowly). I'm always worried about flight delays and cancellations especially in these times and like to stay as flexible as possible in my arrangements. Question- is it better to prebook my train ticket now or is it easy to book and pay at the station? Is it more expensive to book at the train station? Is there a risk of no tickets left if I buy on the day?
- Refuge Orrison - I really want to just enjoy my Camino walk instead of feeling like I have to rush and push myself. I love the freedom of walking and I love just stopping where I feel the urge and sitting and enjoying the view and fresh air for a bit. So even tho I could survive the first days walk over the mountain, I'd prefer to stay at the Refuge along the way so I can enjoy two days of walking the mountain slower and savouring it. However, my current concerns are these.... I have to travel through several stops on my way to France and covid is high where I am currently. I have a risky stopover in Bangkok where if I test positive for covid they quarantine you for 10 days (regardless of symptoms or not). So there is a risk which I can't control in my Camino starting date potentially being delayed if I catch covid or have to go into quarantine. I'm also watching the weather in the beginning stage of the Camino and it's still snowing... I understand the normal route through the mountain won't be open of the weather is bad (plus I hate the cold and the snow will reduce the beauty for me). Does anyone have any thoughts on wether I should just plan on taking the alternative route and just plan for the mountain pass to be closed? Is the alternative route shorter than the mountain pass? I want to avoid a strenuous first day so I set the pace for the rest of the walk. Id love any insite on the alternative route (distance and anywhere to stay along the way). I'm happy to do the research if you point me in the right direction. I was about to prebook the Refuge because I know it sells out (fast?) but I'm worried about the above two issues.
Thanks for your thoughts and guidance.