Cuenca

Set in a valley of the Andes, Cuenca is a city with old world charm, churches on every second block, and easy access to Parque Nacional Cajas. We were forced by illness to spend close on a week in Cuenca, which was no hardship at all.

Armadillo mandolin, pipes of all varieties and countless percussion instruments are available in Cuenca.  Bring on the cumbia!

A sign on the road near Parque Nacional Cajas: "Slowly! Crossing of animals!" (Llamas!!!) The Park is spectacular, with the passing of every hillock revealing more of this incredible Andean tundra.

Look carefully ... wild llama!

Spectacular ...  at 3900m + in altitude, it is the highest that we have been so far!

Did I mention it was cold?