Cloud covered Cajas National Park

Lamas in Cajas National Park

Iglesia San Alfonso on Calle Antonio Borrero

One of Cuenca's prettiest buildings, built with red marble and brick. The first floor is a free museum showcasing different exhibits each month

Cuencanos dressed as Santa

Parque Calderon (getting ready for Christmas festivities)

Water fountain in the middle of Park Abdon Calderon

The new Cathedral was built in a Neo-Gothic style, and its blue and white domes have become a symbol for the city

Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion (founded in 1682)

Flowers in Ecuador are pretty and affordable. A dozen roses will set you back $1 or $2

Detail of the twin towers of Santo Domingo Church

Dusk view of pretty Parque Calderon

Santo Domingo is gorgeous when lit up at night

Fresh produce for sale at the old street market

This looks like ice cream, but trust us, it's not!

Large mangoes for sale and cheap! We love the fresh fruits in Ecuador

Your choice of fruit drinks made fresh all day

A wide variety of freshly butchered meat; outdoor market

Large "hornado" for sale at the market. Hornado is a pig that has been roasted whole in a special oven for a deep, rich flavor

Ann and Becky shop for fish at the outdoor market in Cuenca

Fish for sale at the outdoor market in Cuenca

Day view of Parque Calderon and the New Cathedral

Iglesia El Sagrario ("old cathedral") is an interesting museum with intricate wooden decor and colorful murals. There is also a glass window in the floor showcasing the catacombs

Wall mural of Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion

Pretty building on Calle Larga

Ann and Becky on a bridge crossing the Rio Tomebamba

Inflatable toy man can barely see where he is going!

Roasted pig on a car; Pase del Niño Viajero

Barney is popular no matter what country he is in!

There are definitely more children in this parade than adults; Pase del Niño Viajero

An angel astride a lama

The Pase del Niño Viajero, considered to be the largest and best Christmas pageant in all of Ecuador (here a stuffed chicken parades the streets on horseback)

Girls wearing pretty outfits at the Pase del Niño Viajero

We loved the colorful costumes of the Pase del Niño Viajero

With skirts aflare, these dancers impressed the crowd

There were some adults riding horseback but the majority of the riders were young girls and boys; Pase del Niño Viajero

Cute girls sitting in the shade; Pase del Niño Viajero

Shepherds leading their sheep at the Pase del Niño Viajero

Portrait of a cute girl in the Pase del Niño Viajero

The parade of kids on horseback at the Pase del Niño Viajero is endless, going on for hours and hours

It was hot during the Pase del Niño Viajero...these riders must have been a bit uncomfortable in their nice outfits

A different angle; Pase del Niño Viajero

The amigos take a break

A proud lady smiles at our photo request

We saw hundreds of little girls riding horses down Cuenca's cobble stoned streets during the Pase del Niño Viajero Parade

Colorful outfits of Pase del Niño Viajero parade

Leading an unwilling sheep through Cuenca's streets

The Pase del Niño Viajero includes lots of children who participate honoring the traveling infant Jesus

The Pase del Nino Viajero on December 24. It’s an all day affair, with a parade that illustrates the journey of Joseph and Mary

Mischievous boys having fun at the Pase del Niño Viajero

Colorfully clad ladies wave to the crowd; Pase del Niño Viajero

Restless kids sweltering in their outfits; Pase del Niño Viajero

Close up of a girl's intricate bead work; Pase del Niño Viajero

A mustachioed baby; Pase del Niño Viajero

A proud mother shows off her sleeping baby

Ornately costumed girl in the Pase del Niño Viajero

Yummy ice cream cone doesn't last long in this heat; Pase del Niño Viajero

Shepherd in the Pase del Nino Viajero

Check out all the offerings on this horse; Pase del Niño Viajero

Young girl with rosy red cheeks gazes off in the distance; Pase del Niño Viajero

Young girls on their float with offerings of cuy (roasted guinea pig) and cookies

Close up of two sisters in the Pase del Niño Viajero

This cute little kid is dressed to the nines during the Pase del Niño Viajero

This colorful family caught our attention; Pase del Niño Viajero

The girls laugh at their goofy male counterparts; Pase del Niño Viajero

Male dancers shake it; Pase del Niño Viajero

A marching band performs during the Pase del Niño Viajero

Roman legions on a float; Pase del Niño Viajero

Girls are dressed in their finest atop horses for the Pase del Niño Viajero

My, what a big sombrero you have!

A young girl in an elaborate costume smiles and poses prettily during the Pase del Niño Viajero

A happy little angel waves to the crowd; Pase del Niño Viajero

Two indigenous women check out the festivities; Pase del Niño Viajero

A weary looking teenager in the Pase del Niño Viajero

Close up on the costumes worn by these dancers; Pase del Niño Viajero

Young boy strumming his guitar; Pase del Niño Viajero

This young girl laughs as she tries to keep her sombrero from falling off; Pase del Niño Viajero

Shoe shining service is readily available in Cuenca

A happy couple strolls the streets; Pase del Niño Viajero

An indigenous woman keeps the sun off her during the Pase del Niño Viajero

Traditional costumes and dances on display during the Pase del Niño Viajero

A sleepy baby and roasted pig on a horse pass by Parque Calderon during Pase del Niño Viajero

Fruits on display at the Pase del Niño Viajero; Calle Simon Bolivar

The street parade takes all day as frequent stops for dancing (such as this performance) occur at Parque Calderon; Pase del Niño Viajero

Young girl getting ready to tear open her bag of animal crackers; Pase del Niño Viajero

Mustachioed boys in the Christmas parade

The streets are packed for the Pase del Niño Viajero

La Iglesia de la Merced de los Padres Oblatos

Another view of the Rio Tomebamba

Cuenca at night

Night fireworks set off at Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion

Interior of Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion

Santo Domingo church is really pretty when lit up at night

Evening interior view of Santo Domingo

Traffic on our way to the waterfall of Chorro de Girón

Orchids growing in bottles for export worldwide

A parrot at an orchid village near Gualaceo

Hundred of different orchids on display at the Orchid Village

Detail of an orchid at the Orchid Village near Gualaceo

Detail of a beautiful orchid (orchids are very common in Ecuador with over 3000 unique species and counting)

We stopped briefly at this cooperative where textile artisans showcase their pretty handcrafted sweaters and scarves; near Gualaceo

Gualaceo's pretty church (beside the outdoor market)

A horse tied to the Gualaceo church awaits his owner

An indigenous woman hands her child a plantain; Gualaceo market

A young girl clutches her bag of animal crackers; Gualaceo market

A massive mound of lettuce dwarfs the nearby girl; Gualaceo market

Colorful fruit stall; Gualaceo market

Thumbs up from the shoe shiners at Gualaceo market

Lots of beans for sale; Gualaceo market

An elderly indigenous woman at the Gualaceo market

This hornado roasted pig is quickly devoured

Located about 17 km from Cañar are the historical ruins of Ingapirca (meaning Wall of the Inca). They are the most important Incan ruins in Ecuador

Another view of the Ingapirca ruins. The temple of the sun is the most important building, shaped as an elliptical building constructed without mortar around a large rock

Lots of handicrafts for sale; Ingapirca

Robby kisses a llama in Ingapirca

Indigenous women washing their laundry in the river

Robby, Shirley and Chelsea at the Incan ruins of Ingapirca

Llamas graze the grounds of Incapirca

View from under "puente roto", the broken bridge in Cuenca

Stairs leading up to the old town; Cuenca

Ruins of "todos los santos", a site with Cañari, Incas, and Colonial Spanish constructions

Another pretty vista of Cuenca

Cuenca as seen from El Turi Mirador

Robby checking out Cuenca from El Turi

The colonial architecture of Cuenca never disappoints...it’s like walking in a living museum

Another fine architectural stunner in Cuenca

Church beside San Francisco Plaza

Colonial architecture in Cuenca never disappoints

Pretty architecture in colonial Cuenca

Pretty blue church dominates the Baños village

Early morning at Baños hot springs

We checked on horseback riding opportunities at this hacienda but it was a bit too pricey for us

The muddy road leading towards the waterfall of Chorro de Girón (we had to get out and walk the rest of the way since our driver was afraid of getting stuck)

Shirley and Ann manage to catch a ride up to the base of "El Chorro"

A group photo of us on our way to El Chorro

Our first view of El Chorro, a 104 m high waterfall

The El Chorro waterfall was devoid of visitors...lucky for us

Bob snaps a picture of the girls; El Chorro

The pretty countryside of Giron

A hornado pig cooked to perfection

Roasted cuy (guinea pig), an Ecuadorian specialty

Vendor with a beautiful smile; Feria Libre market

Heaps of delicious fresh vegetables at the Feria Libre market

Another view of the massive Feria Libre market

Fresh fruits and vegetables for sale at the Mercado Feria Libre

Indigenous women at the Feria Libre market

Robby and the Becky sisters share a sangria in pretty Cuenca

Early morning fog at Baños hot springs...we are the very first guests!

Lots of hand made souvenirs for sale

Bob falls asleep waiting for everyone to finish their shopping

San Francisco Plaza is a neat shopping district to check out

Lots of choices for the ano viejo (old year) masks which cost $1 each; San Francisco Plaza

Another view of pretty San Francisco plaza

Buying face masks (Años Viejos) for New Year's Eve

Robby freaks out little kids by pretending to pick his nose; near the flower market at Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion

Becky Gray poses next to a friendly indigenous woman

Burning effigies (años viejos) are a common sight right before and during New Years in Ecuador. These effigies are created to represent people and events from the past year

Night view of San Francisco Church and plaza

Live music and dancing in the streets during New Years

New Year's eve revelries

A bunch of Años Viejos effigies in a holding pattern to be set on fire

Another silly New Year's eve photo

The exterior of the new cathedral is made from alabaster and marble; Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción

Interior of the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (more commonly known as the new cathedral); Parque Calderon

Door detail on San Sebastian church

Iglesia San Sebastián

Another view of San Sebastián Church on Plaza San Sebastian

Cuenca's museum of modern art (this building used to be a treatment center for alcoholics)

Interesting doorway

Posing in front of the ornately carved wooden doors of La Iglesia de la Merced de los Padres Oblatos

A rare sight of Cuenca's empty streets (the day after New Years festivities)

Cuenca is normally bustling with traffic and pedestrians

Calle Gran Colombia (with La Iglesia de Santo Domingo in the background)

Santo Domingo Church

Young boy chasing pigeons nearby Santo Domingo Church

Picture perfect Cuenca (with twin spires from Santo Domingo Church and blue domes of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception)

Pretty buildings in El Barranco district

Local children playing in a bucket by Rio Tomebamba

An elderly lady reading a newspaper; El Barranco

City wall boundary separating the old section from the new. Cuenca's old city has been declared a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO

Enjoying a beautiful walk in the city with Becky G

Gorgeous vistas abound in Cuenca

Cuenca is a city meant for walking with cobblestone streets and old colonial style buildings on every corner

Detail on the roof of Prohibido Centro Cultural bar/museum

Street side vendors with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale

Becky G strikes a pose at the open air market, causing the vendor to laugh

Ann buying pretty flowers from an indigenous lady

Becky G searching for antiques

Partying at Café Eucalyptus

Nice depiction of Cuenca and the lighting of paper lanterns for Corpus Christi Cathedral

San Blas, Cuenca

Lots of wool handicrafts for sale at San Francisco Plaza

Robby and Rafael at the Museum of Modern Art

Ceiling view at the Museum of Modern Art

Robby on the receiving end of a Tagua (vegetable ivory) massage at the Casa de la Mujer complex

Buying bananas in Gualaceo

The Sunday market in Gualaceo is most lively

Little boy playing with the sprocket on this bike, keeping himself entertained for hours

Indigenous women shopping at Gualaceo market

Colorfully clad indigenous women shopping at Gualaceo market

Catching a ride home after all day shopping at Gualaceo Market

Large plantains for sale; Gualaceo market

Love the sombreros at Gualaceo market!

Gualaceo's Sunday market is a great shopping opportunity. We found prices here to be a fraction of what they are in Cuenca

A snapshot of Monestario de las Conceptas

View from the top of Puente Roto

Tiles portraying what Cuenca's old escalinata looked like in 1935

The Red Cross is housed in a lovely building in Cuenca (on Calle Antonio Borrero)

Staircase detail at Casa de las Palomas

Old style street lamp; Salon del Pueblo

There is a lot of renovation work going on at Casa de las Palomas, and the end result will be spectacular

Beautiful mural at the Casa de las Palomas

Wooden carving of a man making a Panama hat; Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

Detailed cabinet; Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

South of the old cathedral and housed in a cloistered convent founded in 1599, the Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas is the most important Colonial art museum in Cuenca

View of one of Becky's favorite fruit trees. The cherimoya tree at the Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

Wooden figurines on display at the Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

Becky had to look twice on this one. It’s a washing machine advertising that "The 1900 washer saves women's lives"; Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

This panaderia sells religious pastries; adjacent to the Museo del Monasterio de la Concepción

Friday night festivities with Kylie, Marco and Chris at Pinto Verde

Group photo after salsa lessons at Simon Bolivar Escuela (Martin, Joey, Kylie y Marco, Becky, Leila, Chris, Robby, and Ben)

Great spot for an afternoon snooze; Rio Tomebamba

Washing laundry in the Rio Tomebamba

Chordeleg's main plaza

A sunny view of Chordeleg's cathedral

Detail of a statue on Chordeleg's Cathedral

Indigenous woman crossing the Chordeleg square

Shopping opportunities abound in pretty Chordeleg

Lots of souvenirs for sale; Chordeleg

Checking out her man in Gualaceo

Becky loves open air markets

Market scene; Gualaceo

Dry goods for sale; Gualaceo market

Indigenous woman shopping at Gualaceo mercado

Vendor; Gualaceo Market

Gualaceo's main square

Cute girl at Gualaceo market

Indigenous woman at Gualaceo market

Another view of the busy Sunday market at Gualaceo

Cuenca at night