TRAVELING ECUADOR'S SIERRA VI – Alausi to Cuenca

8. March 2012, Day 6

Again, we got up early, had a quick (ten minute) breakfast and were ready to get on the train at 8 am. From Alausi the train went down the nariz del diablo - a fairly steep hill.
The hill is very steep and the last part the tracks zig-zag to make it possible for the train to go down. Due to the complicated terrain the construction of this railway was celebrated 100 years ago when it was build. Engineering-wise it was difficult and the help of many laborers was needed. Unfortunately many of them lost there lifes - about 2500 Jamaican slaves (out of 4000) died.
A long time ago, Ecuador had a fairly extensive train system with trains going from Quito to Guayaquil and Cuenca. But for many years now only short parts have been working. Currently there is construction going on everywhere and the plan is to open the railway from Quito to Guayaquil in 2013. Mainly for tourists. I guess, before the nariz del diablo train ride was something for the adventurous, but it is now a little more upscale. Very organized, with guide and lunch included and no sitting on the roof. Nevertheless the landscape is amazing and worth the train ride.
The train went down the valley from Alausi, where we had a snack, walked through a little museum and took many touristy photos before the train went back to Alausi.
There we got our stuff from the hotel and went straight to the bus station to catch a bus to Cuenca. After four uneventful hours we arrived in Cuenca in the afternoon. Finding an hostel was easy but finding a restaurant was a little more difficult. Not that there were no restaurants or bars. They just all seemed to be closed in the late afternoon. Eventually we found a fast food place that was open.
We walked along the cobble stone streets with many beautiful old buildings and churches and visited the huge and beautiful old cathedral.
At night we went out for a beer at an microbrewery where we had homemade beer. Cuenca seems to have many little bars and a lot of students and young people. We walk around a while and after another beer it was time to sleep.

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