A short adventure through Cajas National Park - The Ecuador diary / Una pequeña aventura por el Parque Nacional Cajas - El diario de Ecuador
Exploring nature is one of my hobbies. Wherever I travel, I always look to "go into the mountains" 😄, as we say in my country, so on my second day in the city of Cuenca, in southern Ecuador, I went to visit the beautiful landscapes of Cajas National Park.
Explorar la naturaleza es una de mis aficiones. A donde quiera que viaje siempre busco “agarrar pal' monte” 😄, como decimos en mi país, así que en mi segundo día en la ciudad de Cuenca, al sur de Ecuador, fui a visitar los bellísimos paisajes del Parque Nacional Cajas.
I took a bus from the Cuenca terminal early in the morning, and about 35 km later I arrived at the main entrance to the park: the Toreadora Recreation Zone. There I checked in at the ranger station and they gave me a map with the available trails. The weather was very cloudy and quite cold, but the views were incredible.
Tomé un autobús en el terminal de Cuenca temprano en la mañana, y unos 35 km después llegué a la entrada principal del parque: la Zona de Recreación Toreadora. Allí me registré en el puesto de guardaparques y me dieron un mapa con las rutas que se podían hacer. El tiempo estaba muy nublado y hacía bastante frío, pero las vistas del lugar eran increíbles.
I chose to take a relatively short trail that circled La Toreadora Lagoon, which sits at 3,900 meters above sea level. Since the path was marked, a guide wasn't necessary, and I spent about two and a half hours walking at a relaxed pace, enjoying and photographing this landscape that reminded me of the Venezuelan Andean highlands.
Escogí ir por un sendero no muy largo, que rodeaba la laguna La Toreadora, que está a 3.900 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Como el camino está señalizado no fue necesario ir con un guía, y más o menos estuve caminando unas dos horas y media, relajada y sin prisa, disfrutando y fotografiando esta geografía que me recordó al páramo andino venezolano.
There were few visitors that day, the trail was practically all mine. I love listening to the sounds of nature without human interference 😉. For example, the sound of the water in the streams I encountered on either side and under my feet as I crossed small bridges.
Había pocos visitantes ese día, el sendero era prácticamente sólo para mí. Me encanta escuchar los sonidos de la naturaleza sin interferencias humanas 😉. Por ejemplo, el sonido del agua de los riachuelos que me encontré a los lados y bajo mis pies al cruzar pequeños puentes.
The map I was given at the ranger station had quite a bit of information about this impressive ecosystem. For example, that the rivers in Cajas National Park supply the city of Cuenca with more than 60% of its water.
El mapa que me dieron en el puesto de guardaparques tenía bastante información sobre este impresionante ecosistema. Por ejemplo que los ríos del Parque Nacional Cajas alimentan la ciudad de Cuenca aportando más del 60% de agua.
Within its 288 km² area, there are a total of 767 bodies of water, including 167 lakes larger than one hectare and others of smaller size. These lakes are of glacial origin and are connected by streams and creeks. There are also wetlands, islands, abundant vegetation, and wildlife, especially birds, with more than 157 species.
En sus 288 km2 de extensión hay en total 767 cuerpos de agua, 167 lagos de más de una hectárea y los demás de menor tamaño. Estas lagunas son de origen glaciar y están conectadas a través de riachuelos y arroyos. También hay humedales, islas, mucha vegetación y fauna, sobre todo aves, con más de 157 especies.
Another interesting fact on the map was the approximate age of this landscape. It said that the Andes mountain range appeared 26 million years ago. Imagining that timeframe seems impossible to me! 😱 How many changes has this geography undergone to this day?
Otro dato interesante que tenía el mapa era la edad aproximada de este paisaje. Decía que la cordillera de los Andes apareció hace 26 millones de años. ¡Imaginar ese período de tiempo me parece imposible! 😱 ¿Cuántos cambios habrá sufrido esta geografía hasta nuestros días?
Several times I was tempted to stray from the marked path because I saw interesting things a little further on. I did wander off a few times, just a little. At the entrance, they tell you to avoid doing that because there's a high chance of getting lost.
En varias oportunidades me vi tentada a salirme del sendero marcado porque veía cosas interesantes que estaban un poco más allá. Me desvié algunas veces sólo un poco. En la entrada te dicen que evites hacer eso porque hay grandes probabilidades de perderse.
The altitude of this beautiful moorland ecosystem ranges from 3,156 to 4,450 meters above sea level. During my hike, I climbed to several high points to take some panoramic photos.
La altitud de este hermoso ecosistema de páramo está entre los 3.156 y los 4.450 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Durante mi caminata, subí a varias partes altas para poder hacer algunas tomas panorámicas.
Since I happened to be there on a cloudy day, the landscape looked mystical and even eerie in some parts. Surely, with bright sunshine, the feeling would be very different. In any case, I found it spectacular.
Como me tocó un día nublado, el paisaje se veía místico y hasta tenebroso en algunas partes. Seguramente, con un sol radiante, la sensación sería muy distinta. De cualquier modo me pareció espectacular.
Another thing you can see here are the Polylepis forests, a species also called the "paper tree" because pieces that look like leaves peel off its bark. The map said that these forests are super old, "between 2 and 4 million years old."
Otra cosa que se puede ver por aquí son los bosques de Polylepis, especie también llamada “árbol de papel”, porque de su corteza se desprenden pedazos que parecen hojas. El mapa decía que estos bosques son súper antiguos, tienen “entre 2 y 4 millones de años”.
There are many trails in this nature reserve, and some hikes last several days. Although my adventure was short this time, I enjoyed it immensely. Had you heard of Cajas National Park? What did you think? I hope you found it interesting. I'll leave you with the links to the previous chapters of my travelogue about Ecuador, in case you'd like to read them 😉. Until next time!
Hay muchos senderos en esta reserva natural, algunas excursiones duran varios días. Aunque mi aventura fue pequeña esta vez, la disfruté mucho. ¿Conocían el Parque Nacional Cajas? ¿Qué les pareció? Espero que les haya resultado interesante. Me despido con los enlaces de los capítulos anteriores de mi diario de viaje sobre Ecuador, por si quieren leerlos 😉. ¡Hasta la próxima!
A relaxing stroll through the Lagoon of the Nymphs, Galapagos Islands - The Ecuador diary / Un relajante paseo por la Laguna de Las Ninfas, Islas Galápagos - El diario de Ecuador
All photos are my property and were taken with a Sony Cyber Shot digital camera / Todas las fotos son de mi propiedad y fueron tomadas con una cámara digital Sony Cyber Shot
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I lobe too exploring nature you make me miss my trips of hiking and walking in the woods by the way we dont have a similar kind of nature and park in my are, it's amazing
To explore is to live! 😃 I hope you can return to this kind of adventure. Glad you liked it 😊. Cheers!
OMG!... What amazing landscapes!!!!
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Hermosooo, ya estoy extrañando las montañas ;(
¡Gracias! Estoy segura de que ya tienes alguna aventura planeada 😉 😃.
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What a beautiful adventure. Your photos made the cold, cloudy day feel magical, and the Toreadora Lagoon looks stunning.
Glad you enjoyed it! It is truly a fascinating landscape 😍. Greetings!
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BPC Locked On Mc Franko & The Franko
Blurt Stands — While Hive Stumbles Under the Weight of Its Own Shadows
Friends, creators, truth-tellers—
Let us not whisper this truth, but proclaim it with the clarity of dawn breaking over a weary land: Blurt.blog is not just another platform. It is a refuge. A rebellion. A return to what Hive.blog was always meant to be.
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Repeated downvotes targeting transparency efforts raise urgent questions about Hive’s governance. Automated tactics, coordinated curation trails, and alt-account farming undermine trust in the platform. When truth is silenced without dialogue, it erodes Hive’s decentralized ethos.
Key Concerns:
Systemic Manipulation:
Community Exodus:
Governance Crisis:
Solutions Needed:
The Bilpcoin team advocates for open dialogue, not division. Hive’s future depends on collaboration—not coercion. Let’s rebuild a platform where truth isn’t buried but debated, strengthened, and celebrated.
Transparency isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.
#HiveTransparency #BilpcoinExposed #DecentralizePower"
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@themarkymark, @buildawhale & Co,
How can you continue to downvote the truth, LOL? It’s almost comical how blatantly you attempt to suppress what cannot be hidden. The blockchain records everything—every action, every transaction, every move you make. Yet still, you persist in this futile game of trying to silence what is undeniable.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Co: While our opinions may differ, on-chain transparency reveals repeated patterns of concern. Coordinated downvotes without explanation, 'farming' schemes (e.g., #buildawhalefarm), and adversarial engagement harm Hive’s community-driven ethos.
Key Issues to Address:
A Path Forward:
The Bilpcoin team remains committed to exposing truth and advocating for solutions. Let’s work toward healing, not division.
Note: All claims are based on publicly verifiable blockchain data. Constructive dialogue is encouraged.
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The Bilpcoin team brings these truths not out of malice but necessity. We have no need to fabricate lies or cloak our intentions CALL US WHAT YOU LIKE —for the facts speak loudly enough on their own. What we present here is not conjecture but reality, laid bare for anyone willing to see.
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TURN OFF THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM
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