Galap a gogo: 5th May:City Tour of Quito

Ecuador is named after its position on the equator

Marco met us at 8:30am for our first sightseeing in South America. It was a beautiful sunny day, which was a bonus as the forecast had been overcast with showers. We started up in the hills above the town where there is a large statue of the Winged Virgin. Set in pleasant parkland with great views it was the first photo opportunity with my new camera. Disaster! Even though I had studied the instructions on the flight over (yes, really) I couldn't get it to work. Back in the minivan I fiddled with the settings and got it working, I have no idea how. Technology, huh! Next stop, the Middle of the World, an equatorial monument where we stood with one foot in each hemisphere. I wasn't overly enthusiastic as I've done this before in Kenya (don't you know), but actually it was very well presented. The monument is set in very pretty gardens containing bougainvillea, hibiscus and jacaranda trees that were just in bloom. There were very few people and a distinct lack of pushing and shoving. I loved the spectacular view of the Andes and Cotapaxi volcano from the top of the tower. The volcano last erupted in August 2015 but was sitting quietly under a blanket of snow the day we were there. I experienced the stirrings of a reverential feeling for our planet that continued throughout the trip. For me it was a good start, but Richard started to succumb to the altitude and was feeling very woozy.

Back in the centre of town our driver, Miguel, deposited us at Independence Plaza. It's a buzzy place that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, flanked on each side by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, City Hall and Archbishop's Palace. The archbishop has long since moved to a more homely abode, and the palace has been turned into an artisanal shopping arcade, where Louise and I were able to buy gifts for the folks back home. We had our photo taken with the presidential guards, were grossed-out by the gilded interior of the Jesuit church, had a moment of quiet contemplation in the cloisters of the Franciscan monastery and rounded it off with a coffee in the fair trade shop. All standard city tour stuff and very pleasant too.

Richard was feeling worse by the minute and so he and Ian walked back to the hotel, whilst Louise and I did a bit more souvenir shopping. We particularly enjoyed the tasting in the speciality chocolate shop. Back at base it was clear that Richard was feeling too sick and headachy to move from the room for the rest of the day. I tried to cheer him up by reminding him that we would be back at sea level the next day, but he wasn't a happy bunny. I left him to sleep and joined Louise & Ian in the hotel courtyard to sample some South American cheese and wine. We had an interesting chat with the manager of the hotel, who spoke perfect English and was clearly delighted that we were enjoying the local fare. Later we 'hiked' to the restaurant next door (ok, fair cop, last of the big explorers) where I enjoyed a plate of goat, rice and salad.