stopforth@clear.net.nz Andora We entered Spain briefly to travel to Andorra though you do not realise it, we traveled in a horseshoe shape through a long tunnel into Andorra La Vella the capital town of this tiny nation, and it is squeezed into the Riu Gran Valira Valley. The Principality of Andorra located in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains and bordered by France and Spain. Once isolated, it is currently a prosperous country mainly because of tourism and its status as a tax haven. It has the highest life expectancy in the world, at 83.51 years. Andorra is not to be confused with the commune of Andora in Italy. Andorra has no military force of its own; its defense is the responsibility of Spain and France. Given its relative isolation, Andorra has existed outside the mainstream of European history, with few ties to countries other than France and Spain. In recent times, however, its thriving tourist industry along with developments in transportation and communications have removed the country from its isolation and its political system was thoroughly modernised in 1993, the year in which it finally became a member of the United Nations. With the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, Spain as co-princes. The only official language is Catalan, the language of the nearby Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia, with which Andorra shares many cultural traits, though Spanish, Portuguese and French are also commonly spoken. The predominant religion is Catholicism. It was so hard to believe that this little country is hidden away in the mountains and is thriving. Its main passion is flogging electronic and luxury goods to binge shopping tourists with a sideline in skiing. The cost of living here is high though the shopping is cheaper a car costs ½ of what is costs in the rest of Europe and this is because the tax is so much lower here. October is a quiet time of year though the traffic was congested most of our stay. With police on every intersection flapping their hands and directing traffic in a most unusual manner. We wondered around the many shops for about three hours bought ourselves some perfume, checked out the gps systems and left it at that. It was an interesting exercise though and we left empty handed. Our time in Andorra will be memorable the winding roads, the whole city perched on the valley sides, the narrow streets and the shops hundreds of them all specialist and designer gear. some people would in fact have a ball with the genuine La Coste, Benetton etc and the perfume shops it just went on and on in the middle of nowhere. It was coolish with the mountains reaching high and the shopping centres nestled in the valleys. The summer months would be magnificent out in the countryside when the snow had melted and the trees were in full splender. Of course those who enjoy the slopes during the winter months would love the atmosphere here during the season – and the shopping to boot.