Cuenca

2550 m above sea level, 3rd largest city in Ecuador and named UNESCO World Heritage.

I'm talking about Cuenca, a historic andean city in the South of Ecuador.

I landed there coming from Guayaquil just a day after the city's Independence day 3rd of November which follows the in Ecuador highly celebrated Day of the Dead on the 2nd of November.

So the city was in party mode Wednesday until Saturday. And then Sunday, because Cuenca is like the epicenter of Catholicism the city was completely deserted. But I was on a tour to the National park Cajas so it didn't bother. 

Friday and Saturday though I had the chance to enjoy the handcraft market along the river Tomebamba.

Things to Do:

Cajas national park

I just came from Cuenca, where I visited the national park Cajas. It's around 30km from there up in the Andes (3100m and 4450m above sea level). Travel Agencies in Cuenca offer different day trips (around 50 dollars with a private guide).

Although I had no luck with the weather, it was pretty amazing. I saw amazing landscapes,  more flowers and birds than I could count (or name) and it was my first time at 4167m above sea level.

Did you knew that Ecuador has 4232 different types of orchids? Or which plants you make the delicious pink lemonade called Pitimas or the warming pink tea named Orchata out of? I did the "love" test and touched a blue Gentiana. It closed so I have proven to be faithful.

Isabela & Santa Cruz

Hey just got back from my four day trip visiting 2 other islands. I had a great time there and want to share some pictures with you. And since a few people have already asked me, I'm going to upload my "schedule" too.