Paris Dakar rest day #4 – Cuenca

Our 4th rest day was September 23, 2023. Last night was the coldest yet; I think it was 3°C in the morning and I slept inside my sleeping bag, all zipped up. I got up, had a little breakfast and chatted for a while. At 9 the campground breakfast started so I walked down and ate with Dick, Anke and Bart. We were all meeting in town for lunch, so a few of us took a taxi around 10:30.

The old town of Cuenca is pretty amazing, over 1300 years old, up high on a dramatic hill. We were dropped right at the Plaza Mayor and wandered around looking for a while. Soon Wytze had a specific café as a goal and we walked down to the new city. This place was fully modern, just point your phone at the QR code on the table, press a few buttons and then magically drinks and amazing pancakes arrive, all paid for.

We had a walk back up along a small river to a super scenic pedestrian bridge over a gorge, then we were back up in the old town.

We had beers to pass the time until our lunch reservation. The restaurant we had picked was great. 8 of us shared course after course (lots of seafood), leaving the choice up to the excellent waiter. After four bottles of white wine we switched to red. Then dessert, then a second round of dessert then coffee with rum. Kind of repeating ourselves but why mess with such a great system?

We split up after our extended lunch, Daniel, Wytze and I staying in town. We took a bus back to the top of the old town and were thinking of riding the zipline down, but instead sat on a rock summit chatting for a long time. Maybe the most relaxing peaceful point in the trip so far!

After another drink stop at an outdoor café we took a taxi back. As it was getting dark, I had a wonderful video chat with Katie. Did I say how much I love WhatsApp? It’s the best thing ever to stay in touch. The sound and picture is so good. Then writing and a long sleep.