Las Cajas National Park

While staying in Cuenca, I got to make two day trips to nearby, stunningly beautiful Las Cajas National Park. The first visit was to the lower elevations of the park, for a walk around Laguna Llaviucu.

It was a chilly, drizzly day, but the warm company more than made up for that. (For you PC Mada folks lurking here, you'll recognize my cohort-member B on the left, and maybe also the family R, sandwiched between me and B.)

There were also some llamas for company who were amazingly tolerant of us approaching their babies for pictures.

You have to look closely, but there are also wild orchids along the trail.

A couple days later, B took me up higher into the park for a second hike that started at Lake Toreadora. The scenery here was even more spectacular, as we made our way about 4 miles downhill to the reward of a potato soup and trout lunch.

Llama poop!

Spending time in Cuenca, with all the beautiful day walks and time with friends I've not seen in a long time, has been so completely wonderful. Luckily Ecuador in general seems completely wonderful, with amazing landscapes and really mellow, relaxed people. So there's a good chance the next leg of the adventure will be equally great.