Parque El Paraiso

Yesterday, we decided to explore the largest park in Cuenca. Our doctor told us about this park. He knows we like walking a lot so he said that we'd like this park because it is so large.

From our new apartment, we're only a thirty minute walk from the park. It's a pretty walk because it follows the Rio Yanuncay.

I took so many pictures and had to narrow my picks down to just the best ones.

Here are the pictures shown as we walked through the park:

Entrance to the park















Walking along the Yanuncay River















Mike walking among the tall trees



















One of the many bridges in the park















Swans on their own island















More river pictures






























Black swan















Mike standing on one of the bridges















Huge rock in the river (how'd it get there?)















Great tree for climbing















Wooden walkways throughout the park















Elevated walkways among the trees






























Tomebamba River















Convergence of the two rivers (Tomebamba and Yanuncay)






























Beautiful flowers in bloom (it's springtime here!)















Picnic anyone?






























Great spot overlooking the rivers















Where does this go?






























My favorite picture















Eucalyptus trees















Swans (see their nesting houses in the background)















I love taking these pictures













































A cactus (is this Arizona?)















View of the Cajas Mountains















Having fun!



















Fancy clothes and spike heels worn anywhere throughout Cuenca (even in the park!)















Clock showing the time in Ecuador, Spain, New York and Russia



















Aerobic area in the background















Soccer fields















Maintenance crew cleaning up after a soccer game















The park was pretty empty but during the weekends, it's packed with families enjoying the outdoors.

Cuenca is getting ready to celebrate for five straight days. Tuesday is All Souls Day and Wednesday is Cuenca's Independence Day (190 years of independence from Spain). There will be parades, music, performances, fireworks, etc. It should be fun.

Chao for now,
Patty