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Our first wedding shoot in beautiful Cuenca!


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As per usual the next day we had to say our goodbyes to E and D as we had to hurry along to Cuenca. We went to their apartment and had raspberry tart for breakfast before hitting the road. It was sad to have to leave so soon. We had been planning to meet with E and D for so long and our paths had been so close but never crossed until Quito…we have a feeling they may cross again sometime though and we will look forward to it!

As we drove away Peggy sparkled in the sunshine and as we left Quito back onto the open roads of the countryside we sucked in the clean air…and stalled. We wont bore you with it all again but we are now partially trained mechanics and we got Peggy going again and we sailed along the winding roads and climbed the crisp green mountains with ease.
We arrived just before sunset in a gorgeous little place called Banos (yes, it translates to Toilet but it was lovely nevertheless) which is nestled at the bottom of a volcano in a valley with a huge waterfall crashing down through the trees in a postcard picture perfect pose.

We checked into a cheap hostel which was absolutely THE cleanest place I have ever stayed in my life (maybe barring my Nannas house!)  and went out for dinner. It was Alex’s treat for my birthday and we chose a sweet little swiss bistro and it was fab! We had fondu and steak and wine and had a great night. Its always so so lovely to meet up with friends and spend time with other people but its always so nice to be on our own again. We’re terrible company really, all anti-social kissing and hugging and stuff haha! Anyway, we had a really great time and had a headache to pay for it the next morning as we left to get to our next stop. Ingapirca. The largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador are complete with a temple of the sun carefully positioned so that on the solstices the sun will fall through the centre of the doorway at a certain time.
We had a long day driving but Peggy behaved and we made it just after dark. We snuggled up early and set the alarm to wake up in time to watch the sun rise over Ingapirca on my 30th birthday.
The sun was already peeping when the alarm woke us so we stayed warm and watched out of the window as the sky got lighter. Alex made me coco-pops in bed and we went for a walk around the site before anyone else arrived. The day was fresh and of course the air was thin and as we struggled up to the view point we had our backs to the ruins. We made it to the top and turned around to such a great view. The templo de sol stood proud of the ruins with its crumbling walls and the pattern of a 500 year old city stretched out before us. It was as breathtaking as the short climb and a great way to turn 30!

We completed our 480km journey to Cuenca (from Quito) later that day, stopping on route to sample some local cuisine. Along the roadside there were blackened pigs strung up outside houses and people queueing for a piece. Never one to turn down a slow cooked pig we pulled over and were handed our pig and sent on our way. We opened the tub to find 6 squares of pig skin and ‘mota’ which is a local corn which tastes a little bit like boiled popcorn. We tried it but weren’t keen and as we drove it became clear that the pig is still raw, just the skin is cooked and then the meat is removed…after all of the skin has carefully been cut away, clearly the favourite bit…and cooked seperatley. The dogs enjoyed it anyay.
We arrived in Cuenca excited to meet our friend on the ground there. Enrique Rodas had been in touch with us about taking some pictures in the beautiful Cuenca. He had invited us to stay at his parents hotel and take us out to show us his home town.
Enrique was waiting for us at the hotel and sent us right away into the thermal baths. The hotel has underground natural baths and they are at 3 different temperatures. The idea is you go in the 40′ pool for 8 minutes, then into the 45′ one for 1 minute and then the 8′ pool for 2 minutes and then repeat a couple of times. It is said to be good for all kinds of ails and it also, with hindsight, completely wipes you out!
We enjoyed the pools, went back to the room and fell asleep!
We met with Enrique early in the morning, still feeling floaty light, in our wedding attire for our tour of Cuenca.
Enrique had asked his neice to come along and translate for him, although his english was great and we picked Belen up on our way into town.
As we strolled the beautiful streets we got some strange looks but the best thing was seeing the lightbulb appear above Enrique’s head as the inspiration for a shot struck him! He would run on and ask Belen to tell us what to do as he prepared to take the picture. It was great fun and fab to see pure inspiration at work! We walked over to the flower market to pick up something to make a quick bouquet and buttonhole for a flash of colour.
I picked some red roses and some cute yellow and red spray roses and some faithful gysophelia and wrapped them together right there at the market!
We visited the historic centre, the old and the new cathedral, the park and a beautiful church (Santo Domingo) which was packed to the rafters with people in their sunday best. It was so pretty and lovely to see everyone there, all the little girls had on their princess dresses so I fit in perfectly! (minus the wand)
We had a great day running around in our wedding clothes without the nerves of actually having a wedding, it was just like a day playing dress up and was really good fun.
We finished off the shoot at a lovely viewpoint where we could see the whole city spread out before us. Enrique was such a great host and is so proud of his city and country as are all of the people we meet on this trip.
We returned for our second night in the hotel, we considered going back into the pools but were worried we would flake out again and not get caught up with any blogging so we passed and had a relaxed afternoon with coffees and arepas and catching up on the blog.
It was really nice to switch off in a lovely room and be served coffee and breakfast in bed, we were spoilt rotten, thank you again Enrique for your hospitality!

We loved spending the day with Enrique and Belen and having a personal tour of their beautiful city. The pictures are fantastic and are a great reflection of the historic city and our love!

Once you have seen the fab pictures, find out what happens next on our travelling wedding adventure!

comments

  1. Jacquie says:

    What amazing pictures. The waterfall sure is a sight….beautiful. The carvings on the church door look very intricate…a lot of good craftmanship displayed there.

    The ruins must look so interesting up close and personal 🙂 Now about that roasted pig…..I’m sure glad you decided to forego the ‘pleasure’ of eating the raw pork and gave it to the pooches! Raw pork is asking for trouble and Alex has already had one episode of a dodgy tum so you wouldn’t be wanting any repeat performances!

    Tabitha just gets better and better…..and your instant bouquet from the flower market was very pretty (dare I say, just like the ‘bride’).

    What a gem of a tour guide and photographer was Enrique….and his invite to stay at his parents’ hotel too. A very generous and welcome offer I’m sure.

    Happy trails. xx

  2. Elita says:

    To borrow from Jacquie, and my biggest respects to Van Halen,

    Until we meet again!

    And Enrique Rodas, you rock!

    E

  3. Elita says:

    Hi L & A,

    On a personal note, we LOVE the top composite photo!

    Thank you for including it!

    E

  4. Joe Ellison says:

    The pictures are brilliant. Looking at them, I feel I should take a little vacation somewhere there.

  5. Those are incredibly amazing photos! It’s very vintage! I also love the randomness that you guys are doing in the photos.

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