Cuenca's Beautiful Vistas

View from our apartment balcony

From the Dos Chorreras Lodge entering Cuenca

Shelly and the swans

We are spending the Memorial Day weekend in Cuenca with great friends from Albuquerque: Pat, Debbie, Cindy, and Bill. Cuenca is a beautiful town sitting at 8500 feet elevation in the Andes.  It has great architecture, climate, cuisine, and culture.  Approaching from sea-level Guayaquil, it is a steep climb, and we each had a bit of dizziness on arriving.  A cup of mate de coca (tea made of coca leaves) helped ease the adjustment.  Coming up the hill are the stunning settings of Cajas National Park and the rustic Dos Chorreras lodge.  A lunch of grilled trout and locro de papa (potato soup) was just right.  We are staying in an apartment in the historic center we found on airbnb.  A wonderful, relaxing time.

Great food and a quiet venue

Waterfall Freefall

Llama Mamas and Papas

Well preserved steeples

Friends from home at Cajas National Park outside town

Happy travelers

Courthouse atrium on the town square

Cajas National Park