s/v Karma

Karma in Motion

Who: Clint, Reina & Duke
Port: West Palm Beach, FL

Where are we?

Your destiny, is a result of your actions. Live by a code of conduct that will secure supreme hapiness and worldy joys; which are usually the little things.
22 February 2018
13 June 2016 | Puerto Natlaes
12 November 2015 | Southern Patagonia, Chile 50 39.60S:74 33.12W
02 November 2015 | Golfo de Penas, Patagonia, Chile
17 October 2015 | Laguna San Rafael, Patagonia, Chile
13 October 2015 | Laguna San Rafael, Patagonia, Chile
01 October 2015 | Caleta Poza de Oro, Patagonia, Chile
20 September 2015 | Los Altos, Paraguay
06 September 2015 | Chiloe
04 September 2015 | Puerto Montt, Chile

Part Seven – Saving the Best for Last…Cuenca

23 April 2014 | Cuenca, Ecuador
Reina
Well my epic tale of our three week road trip is at its conclusion, funny how it has taken me almost three months (today is July 22nd) to write what we did in three weeks; not to mention, that we have also travelled to Peru in that time and I haven’t even begun to share that adventure.

I cannot understand why I am having such a struggle writing this last bit especially about the place that we liked best. A place we would consider living in…maybe that’s it! Not quite ready for this adventure to end.

Cuenca was definitely our favorite stop. It was a last minute decision for us to go there and we are very glad we did. We are even planning a trip back before we leave for Chile.

Why did we like it so much? It is a really quaint city. It is spread out with a small diverse population of just under 300,000, consisting of Ecuadorians, university students, and expats. At an elevation of 8500 feet at the equator the climate is perfect. Warm days and cool evenings, the average temperature is 58 F. Four rivers meander throughout the city and large mountain ranges loom in the background. There are modern buildings mingled among well preserved colonial buildings. And as everywhere else in Ecuador, warm friendly people. What more could you ask for?

We were only there three days and unfortunately I was VERY sick for the last two. However, the upside of this was we got to experience firsthand the medical services of Cuenca. Believe it or not, I was in and out of a Gastroenterologist’s office complete with blood work taken, results given, and medications in hand in under four hours and for less than $100 USD.

Because we were only there for a couple of days and I was not 100% we opted for the Gringo Tour aboard the double-decker bus. When you don’t have much time this really is the best way to quickly see a city.



The Tomebamba River divides the city center in two. The historical center is to the north, in the background, and the newer part of the city is to the south.





There are little shops, restaurants, apartments, and homes along the river.



There seemed to be more restoration and preservation of the colonial buildings in Cuenca then we saw in Quito.









In the heart of the old city is Parque Claderón with the Catedral Nueva on one side of the park and the Catedral Antigua on the other.



For those of you who do not hablo, Catedral Nueva is the New Cathedral and Catedral Antigua is the Old Cathedral, very original.

The Old Cathedral is the city’s oldest building dating back to the 1550’s. All of the city’s religious services were held here until the construction of the Catedral Nueva.

Over the years the old Cathedral went through many transformations. It was originally a simple structure with a wood frame. As styles of architecture changed so did the building. The whole interior of the church looks like it is built of stone but it is actually plaster over the original wood beams fauxed to look like stone.









There are several small chapels to the side of the main church. They were built by the wealthiest families of Cuenca each trying to outdo the other. This chapel houses what is claimed to be the largest replica of The Last Supper.



In another chapel there was also a life size interpretation of Jesus’ death.



Very realistic and a tad bit creepy.





The New Cathedral was originally intended to be South America’s largest church with a capacity for 10,000 worshipers. Construction which began in 1880 was halted in 1908 without completing the twin towers. There were some miscalculations and the structure would not withstand the weight of the towers if completed as originally intended.



Not sure that the church would handle 10,000 people but it is certainly massive inside.









In the Old Cathedral there was a beautiful miniature scale replica of the New Cathedral. In the replica the towers were completed.





In addition to beautiful buildings and churches, Cuenca has one of the best museums in all of Ecuador, Museo del Banco Central. Unfortunately, I was too sick to go but Clint thoroughly enjoyed it. No pictures were allowed inside the museum, but outside Clint was able to capture the grounds of the museum. The Pumapungo ruins sit at the back of the museum. Pumpapungo is thought to have been one of the grandest Inca palaces.





As I said, our stay in Cuenca was way too short and we look forward to going back and seeing more. With our road trip at its end we packed up our car and headed out of the mountains and down to the coast. Our ride up from the coast to Quito was breath taking, what we did not anticipate is that the ride back down to the coast from Cuenca would be as equally dramatic. It reminded us of pictures of the Scottish Highlands. All we needed were our clubs!!

The drive took us through El Cajas National Park. The park covers more than 28,000 hectares and has over 200 lakes. The elevation of the park ranges from 9800 feet above sea level to over 14,000 feet (This is higher than Loveland Pass in Colorado). The road straddles the continental divide at its westernmost point in South America.



It was simply beautiful, this country continues to amaze us.

Comments
Vessel Name: Karma
Vessel Make/Model: Sunward 48'
Hailing Port: West Palm Beach, FL
Crew: Clint, Reina & Duke
About: We've been working towards this for almost 10 years. It has been a dream with many challenges, all of which have made it more worth while. We are so grateful and excited to start this next chapter!
Extra: Twenty years fom now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the things that you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER. -Mark Twain
Karma's Photos - Main
1 Photo
Created 14 October 2019
12 Photos
Created 17 January 2019
100 Photos
Created 11 March 2018
70 Photos
Created 22 February 2018
24 Photos
Created 1 August 2016
Tom Comes to Visit Christmas 2015
57 Photos
Created 10 June 2016
Land adventures with our camper.
1 Photo | 1 Sub-Album
Created 20 September 2015
4 Photos
Created 1 September 2015
Tom & Susan visit in March Kurt & Kelci visit in May
92 Photos
Created 1 July 2015
21 Photos
Created 1 July 2015
12 Photos
Created 1 July 2015
57 Photos
Created 1 July 2015
20 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 1 July 2015
Galapagos to Chile
7 Photos
Created 1 May 2015
Isla Isabela
No Photos
Created 13 April 2015
Isla Isabela
No Photos
Created 13 April 2015
93 Photos
Created 5 January 2015
27 Photos
Created 5 January 2015
Bahia de Caraquez to La Libertad, Ecuador
23 Photos
Created 29 November 2014
116 Photos
Created 25 October 2014
30 Photos
Created 15 June 2014
39 Photos
Created 15 June 2014
13 Photos
Created 14 June 2014
22 Photos
Created 11 June 2014
26 Photos
Created 15 May 2014
San Rafael, Ecuador
17 Photos
Created 13 May 2014
Ecuador
11 Photos
Created 12 May 2014
40 Photos
Created 11 May 2014
6 Photos
Created 2 April 2014
21 Photos
Created 22 March 2014
17 Photos
Created 15 March 2014
Leaving the Caribbean behind and entering the Pacific
42 Photos
Created 19 February 2014
12 Photos
Created 19 February 2014
19 Photos
Created 6 January 2014
80 Photos
Created 30 September 2013
53 Photos
Created 2 August 2013
56 Photos
Created 25 July 2013
5 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 9 July 2013
46 Photos
Created 9 May 2013
4 Photos
Created 21 March 2013
13 Photos
Created 20 January 2013
20 Photos
Created 4 September 2012
3 Photos
Created 3 August 2012
15 Photos
Created 2 August 2012
7 Photos
Created 23 July 2012
7 Photos
Created 23 July 2012
11 Photos
Created 20 July 2012
20 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
This is a marine park and home to many turtles
15 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
Dad gets to ride with my girl from Hawaii to SanDiego, via US NAVY
67 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
Visiting family, hitching a ride with the US NAVY, Carl joins the conspiracy
21 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
From Vieques PR to Union Island St Vincent & the Grenadines
7 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
Our home for the last month.
7 Photos
Created 7 May 2012
Pig
4 Photos
Created 7 May 2012
Old San Jaun, Bacardi Distillery & more
29 Photos
Created 7 May 2012
12 Photos
Created 24 April 2012
Touring the DR with Tony
12 Photos
Created 24 April 2012
Some lost photos
8 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
13 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
Costanza
16 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
Puerto Plata to Ocean World
8 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
17 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
7 Photos
Created 31 March 2012
4 Photos
Created 30 March 2012
Ile a Vache
58 Photos
Created 12 March 2012
9 Photos
Created 27 February 2012
ClarenceTown to Salt Pond
10 Photos
Created 27 February 2012
16 Photos
Created 11 February 2012
23 Photos
Created 11 February 2012
38 Photos
Created 30 January 2012
What we've been up to in G'Town
5 Photos
Created 17 January 2012
In and around Staniel Cay
10 Photos
Created 8 January 2012
Christmas & New Years 2011
67 Photos
Created 1 January 2012
Allens Cay to George Town
40 Photos
Created 10 December 2011
Heading to Miami
5 Photos
Created 14 November 2011
Leaving Sunset Bay Marina & on to the Bahamas
8 Photos
Created 12 November 2011
Getting ready for the big day! We moved Karma from her home of two years (WPB mooring) to Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart. Packed up the rest of our "crap", the stuff not coming with us & took it to Texas. After a nice visit with Reina's parents it was back to Stuart to get down & dirty & get Karma ready...
9 Photos
Created 9 November 2011

Karma in Motion

Who: Clint, Reina & Duke
Port: West Palm Beach, FL

Where are we?

Your destiny, is a result of your actions. Live by a code of conduct that will secure supreme hapiness and worldy joys; which are usually the little things.