Cuenca

Onwards and upwards to our new destination, Cuenca.  Locals said minivan was the fastest so we climbed aboard for a white knuckle climb through mountainous country, higher and higher until we reached the paramo,  Andean mountain grass land.

Cuenca is an old colonial city filled with cobblestone streets,  churches and traditionally clothed country folk. Set in the Andes mountains we are loving the cool air.

A background at the pub will do to showcase Quencas old colonial features as we seemed to have got sidetracked instead of photo taking 

Unfortunately the old town is swamped by motor vehicles with air pollution as well the locals love their barking dogs and karaoke.

At an altitude of 2500 m we noticed the stairs and hill took some added effort to climb.

Day two and a local bus ride to the Inca ruins at Ingapirca. Part of an empire linked by 4200 km of trails, the ruins were and astronomical observatory, aligned to determine the solstis and equinox.

The temple of the sun nearby where the ceremonial virgins who were sacrificed lived! 

The cultural museum with over 5000 archeological with pre Colombian Ecuadorian cultures from 15,000 years ago was a joy to visit. With fossils, tools from stones, arrowheads, necklaces, household utensils, stone chimes, polished and painted pottery and so on there was much to enjoy. Just can't get my head round the ages gone by.

Stone chimes, made a lovely sound

A great ornament dating back goodness knows when 

The mercado on Sunday was a well worthwhile excursion in the rattly old bus. The clever craftspeople are everywhere in the wee towns in Ecuador. Here they're renown for their weaving, see this link  also we enjoyed wood carvings, jewellery, shawls and the classic Panama hats.

Tempting handicrafts everywhere 

Loving the markets, a great place for the locals to have a chat 

Bountiful fruit and vegs from the rich volcanic soils. Everything is organic as chemicals are expensive. Bring it on.