Bordeaux, Bayonne, Biarritz by bus

Travel day and once again the feeling that there's enough time to sort my things, closely followed by the realization that I’m already behind schedule and won't make it to the train station on time.

With this premise, I set off from my hostel on Tuesday morning at 8 AM. I finally reached the bus station 20 minutes early, which I intended to spend on a coffee and a small snack. Unfortunately, the nearest café was exactly far enough away that my time buffer melted away again.

With coffee and croissant in hand, I boarded the bus, spilling a bit and leaving Bordeaux behind.

Borrowed from the gamer generation, the term 'Quest' has long found its way into everyday language. A quest refers to a task or mission that must be completed or mastered in a video game to advance the storyline. In addition, there are so-called side quests, secondary tasks that secure extra points or additional recognition for the player.

My quest for the next two days was to visit Bayonne and Biarritz and reach the first pilgrim hostel in Spanish Irun the following day. My side quest was participating in an online meeting.

Upon arriving in Bayonne, I made my way directly to the hostel where I dropped off my luggage. Then I collected life points in the form of a filled baguette and took the next bus to Biarritz.

Biarritz has a rich history (Napoleon III., 'Ballroom of Europe', Hemingway, surfer paradise), which can be read in detail on Wikipedia.

I explored the coastal promenade and the hilly streets of the town in a jump-and-run manner. Before my return journey, I treated myself to a beer and some snacks with my credits, earning myself some life points. However, my attempts to acquire more language skills in a chat with two older ladies (characters) did not go well, as my school French was insufficient.

In Bayonne, I checked into the hostel at 7 PM and had plenty of time for my side quest: an online meeting with those who stayed home.

For recovery, I took my night's rest in a cupboard. In fact, the bunk beds at Hostel 20 resembled a dresser, see photo. I still fell asleep right away. Mission accomplished!