Tag 133: Cuenca, Ecuador

It is 10:30 am. We are sitting with our backpacks packed in front of our hostel, waiting for the taxi. We have spent the last two days in Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador, in the south of the country. Besides a not very exciting free walking tour through the city, we haven't done much. Mainly relaxed in our private room, cooked, worked, did laundry, and ate a lot. After three months of instant coffee, I finally got a real coffee here. The currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. Fortunately, the prices are not the same as in the States. Breakfast and lunch can be found in less fancy places here for $2. After two relaxed days, we are now moving on. We want to go to the beach. To Montañita. The taxi is here. We are taken to the terminal by a not really friendly taxi driver, buy two tickets, and take the bus to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. After a few hours on the bus, we arrive at a very large and chaotic terminal. Since Guayaquil is big and ugly, we only use the layover to transfer without leaving the terminal. After an hour, we finally head towards Montañita. The bus is filled to the brim with mainly young party-loving travelers. A few hours later, we also know why. It is now dark. We get off, the heat hits us like a wall in front of the bus. It is difficult for us to orient ourselves, there are people everywhere, lights, it is loud, the general mood is geared towards partying. In addition, we are asked by several people if we need a taxi, something to eat, accommodation, or cocktails. NO! We have chosen a hostel in advance, but have not booked it yet, and we also have no idea how to get there. We ask around. After an hour, we finally reach the relaxed eco-lodge outside the party district up on the mountain, exhausted. The owner still has a room available, a small cottage with a thatched roof just for us. We negotiate a good price, accept the offer for a self-cooked vegetarian dinner, and go to sleep.