We Made It to Cuenca

After the Devil's Nose train ride, we continued south, stopping at Ingapirca Ruins, the most important Inca complex in Ecuador. The circular Temple of the Sun, which stands in the center of the complex, was once an important ceremonial center.

The landscape team was hard at work.

From there we continued south and finally arrived at Cuenca, our southernmost destination. We stayed at a fancy hotel in the center of town. The rooms are arranged around the dining room in the center.

My travel guidebook said not to come here for the view, and that was definitely true. This is the view from our room.

The next day, we visited the Ortega Hat Factory, where we saw how they make Panama Hats. They are mostly made by women at home, although there was one being made here in the factory as a demonstration.

I guess you can also make them while walking down the street.

The hats are made to this stage -

And then completed here in the factory.

The hats are woven from the fibers of a palm-like plant. Gonzalo, our Road Scholar guide, is demonstrating.

There are lots of hats to choose from in their store.

What do you think?

From there we went up to Turi's Hill, for a breathtaking view of Cuenca. A lot of retired US ex-pats live here in Cuenca, so that adds to the interest.

From the top of the hill we could see the new Cathedral.

There was also a church on the hill, and I ran in to take a look.

We then went to the showroom of Eduardo Vega, a ceramics artist.

After lunch, we did a walking tour of Old Town, going to several churches. This one, the Carmelite Cloister, is hardly ever open. The nuns here are never seen.

We visited the old Cuenca Cathedral, which has statues representing the Last Supper in front of the altar.

We had some off time in the afternoon, so Rosemary and I walked around town. First we went down these steps to one of the 4 rivers in town.

Just beautiful!

Yes, you too!

We went back to the new Cuenca Cathedral, even though we had been there on our tour. Wow - what a door!

Lots of gold leaf inside.

Then we found out that for a $2 donation, we could walk up to the top. What's another 155 steps! We got a nice view of some of the many domes and turrets.

Leaving the cathedral, we happened to see this just-married couple on bicycles dragging some clinking cans. How cute!