Nov.28 to Dec.4- Week 5 in Ecuador

This week we finally took the double-decker tourist bus that drives through the highlights of Cuenca. This 2 hour $5 ride had been recommended to us by everyone who had tried it. We walked to the downtown Park Calderon and hopped ontu the bus. First after leaving the park, it drove along many streets we had already walked.

                          Both gringo and Ecuadorian tourists were enjoying this ride.

We also drove along the south side of the river Tomebamba along some neighborhoods that were new to us.

And then up to Turi which overlooks Cuenca.

And there were some incredible views- we could see all over Cuenca including where our apartment building was!

Cuenca truly is a beautiful city.

Turi also has several artisan shops, some restaurants and yet another pretty church.

Our double-decker sight seeing bus along with several taxis.

Standing at Turi enjoying the view.

We also did a very long walk to the far east end of downtown where a large museum and a park with Inca ruins- Todos Santos- was located. We walked along the river to get there and ended up on the wrong side of the entrance. After a strenuous walk up another hilly road, we finally found it.

Some of the ruins with some local llamas.

And some very nice paths along the park.

As well, more great views overlooking Cuenca.

When we walked back we finally found the one and only brew Pub in Cuenca. For those of you who know Uwe, you understand his love of brew pubs. He has been pining for some real good beer since we arrived in Ecuador. The local beer here is very light much like beer in Mexico and Italy and Uwe really wanted something with flavor!

We hadn't been able to find this one previously because the address on it's web-site was incorrect. Oh well, this is Ecuador- LOL

The Brew Pub Signs

Of course it wasn't open- a lot of bars only open after 5PM- so we will have to take another walk here later on in some afternoon.

On Friday we decided to try going to the nearby town of Paute. First we took a bus ride from our apartment to the central bus station. It was very huge and had buses that went to various cities/towns of Ecuador.

We found the bus to Paute which left every half hour and cost a total of 75 cents per person. Our ride took us through very scenic hilly countryside for approximately one hour. After getting off in downtown Paute, we walked exploring. This village is quite small, in a valley and very famous for flowers mostly orchids.

The very pretty town square

And of course the village church

And some of the village streets and hillsides

After a nice inexpensive lunch at a local restaurant ( $9 including 2 large beers) we flagged the bus down going home and arrived safely back in Cuenca an hour later.

Now about the buses. As mentioned before, they go everywhere in the city for 25 cents, and have a great bus map so that you always know which one to catch. They are our favorite means of transportation. We also found that the inter-city buses were comfortable, cheap and on time. That said, so far we are the only gringos we have seen using them though we have been assured that they are a popular means of travel for everyone.