Cuenca - Week 43

6th - 8th July

We got up early to catch the bus from Cuenca to Loja. We were looking forward to the journey back as the landscape was spectacular on the way. That was until we realised that we had a camikazi (how do you spell that??) bus driver!! He was overtaking on blind corners and driving as fast as he possibly could and we were terrified! He appeared to be racing another bus on the same route and after about 4 overtakings he cut the other bus up really badly. At the next busstop, the other bus driver overtook us and waited for us. Both the drivers got off the buses and had a fight - it was hilarious!! There were punches being thrown and everything - never seen anything like it! (you could hardly call them punches, girls fight with more gusto! - James)

After that, the next bus to Cuenca was like a walk in the park. We arrived in Cuenca at about 4pm and after visiting 4 different hotels to find the perfect one for Katie's birthday, we booked into Aqua Hotel and Spa which was the loveliest place we have stayed at on the trip so far.

Cuenca is a colonial city in the south of Ecuador with lots of interesting little churches and lovely places for food. We were early to bed on the Friday ready for 'the birthday' the next day!

Katie's birthday was fab. We had a look round Cuenca in the morning and a very nice set lunch in a pretty courtyard with lots of wine. In the afternoon we had massages and a jacuzzi (with more wine!) in the spa at the hotel and Katie had her hair done for the first time in 10 months - bliss!!

We then went to Cafe Eucalyptus for dinner which is a buzzing little restaurant full of people with a salsa band and dancing. We ordered champagne and started making a new toast with every glass. At the fifth toast, James said we should stand up so Katie (a little confused but also drunk) agreed and the next minute he was down on one knee and PROPOSING MARRIAGE!!!! So Katie thought for a millisecond then burst into tears (of joy, you understand!!) and of course said yes! So that's it, after all these years, we've decided to tie the knot! Watch this space for the wedding date - we really want to be married in the next 6 or 7 months!

Sunday was spent recovering after lots of champagne the night before...