To the east of Cuenca the terrain drops dramatically into the Amazon basin that hosts an unparalleled biodiversity only found in the rainforest. In fact, when Lynsey and I visited the Amazon, near Iquitos, Peru last summer we were unknowingly almost even with Cuenca longitudinally. Little did we know that in a year's time we would be on our way to making the area our home. I smile at that, and marvel at the endless possibilities that wait for us this upcoming year.
A couple hours west of Cuenca lies the Pacific coast. Ecuador boasts lots of unspoiled green beaches which makes Lynsey (inspired by water, whereas for me it's mountains) a happy girl. The highlight, of course, is the Galapagos Islands, which are part of Ecuador but still 600 miles off of the coast. We tentatively hope that our month off for Christmas will land us on Darwin's old turf to explore the famed beaches and awesome wildlife.
Climate-wise, the altitude of Cuenca along with the obvious proximity to the equator gives the city consistently "spring-like" temperatures throughout the year. We read the temp hovers somewhere between 68-72 with cool evenings typical of mountain weather. That being said, there is a rainy season, and it typically lasts from mid-October through May. Like Colorado, Cuenca mornings will sunny before the predictable afternoon showers move on through. No extreme heat or cold, just a happy balance somewhere in the middle, which is something Lynsey and I are looking forward to not only in the weather but in everyday livin' as well.
Trivia Question of the Post (write your answer as a comment):
Ecuador is part of the nearly westernmost edge of South America. If you drew a line straight north from that edge, what U.S. state(s) would you pass through?