Wow -this place is high!

We arrived in Quito late on the night of Mike's birthday. we checked into our rooms - cute decor, close to bathrooms, comfy beds, and headed to the bar. We were very happy. It was a roof terrace with the most amazing views over the city. There were lights everywhere, and the people at the hostel were immediately friendly. We had a few drinks to celebrate mike's birthday and headed to bed, it had been a very long day.

The next morning was Patrice's birthday, and sadly for her, we had not been in Quito long enough to organise a birthday cake, so she had to settle for a card, which she did, very graciously! We headed back to the terrace for some $3 breakfast, which consisted of fruit salad and granola, as many eggs or omellettes as you can eat, and fruit juice. We then headed for a look around Quito. Sadly for us, part of what made the view so impressive, was the sheer amount of hills in Quito, that combined with the high altitude, made a walk around Quito like a 4 hour session in the gym!

Despite my protests, that we had seen more than enough churches for a while, we headed to the Basilica, a very impressive church in Quito. Made all the more imrpressive by the fact that you could climb all the way to the top. This place was a law suit waiting to haapen. Who needs stairs when you can use a step ladder? Honestly, the views were worth it, but at times  the climb got a bit scary. Wisely Rick decided to go only to places that actual stairs took him!

As a reward for my visiting a church, we stopped in the cafe under the bell tower for a well deserved milkshake! And to think the guidebooks say take it easy on your first day, to adjust to the altitude! After this we walked around town a little more, and stopped in a reccommended food court for lunch. Mike and me shared a strange meat, cheese picnic platter thing and then we headed back to the terrace to start Patrice's birthday celebrations. We had dinner and met some more new people, who we persuaded to accompany us for Patrice's birthday celebrations! We headed out with a few others in tow - Sam, Tony from Galway, the two South African girls, and some others - and went to a bar in the New Town.  We met an english couple,  Dave and Louisa in there, who told us about a club we should go to, called No Bar. Meanwhile I was sick again after only one drink ( stupid Doxycycline) and we headed to No bar. Turns out that despite the free drink, this club still wasn't brilliant, dodgy music, sleazy men, like any other club in the world. What made this one different and upset the boys, was the fact that at about 12:00, the female dancers moved off stage to allow for PVC clad male ones to take over! Ha Ha! Revenge at last. Needless to say, we left shortly after!

We got up late the next day, missed breakfast and headed into the old town for some food. We went to a restaurant that we'd read about in the guidebook. Only after we'd been did we read that it's the poshest restaurant in the old town. oops. We vweren't excatly dressed for it. Had some delicious fish and chocolate mousse and headed back for some time on the internet. Headed back to the hostel for some games on the terrace and chilled out for the evening, by the fire! Quito gets very cold in the evening so we were all grateful for the selection of ponchos on offer! They might not look cool, but boy are they warm! We then headed for a few games of pool in town.

The following day we got up early-ish and headed to Otovalo with Madelaine, our new found american friend. Turns out that four hours on a coach isn't that much fun when everyone else is asleep and you are not! That and the fact that the bus never actually stops, but instead people just jump on and off, meant that I was real glad when we got there. The Market was exciting to start, the colours, smells and sounds were all very different and the people are despearte to sell you things. Turns out that they didn't have to try too hard with Madelaine, as she was buying Christmas presents, she bought something at nearly every stall! I myself, bought a necklace and some earrings and despite the fact that Patrice offered 21 for 3 3 neclaces, they worked out a bargain! Had a really nice day, stopping for some lunch in another cool hostel, before beginning the long journey back!

We planned our time carefully, and decided to had to a local animal sanctury. We tried ringing to let them know we were coming, but there was no answer, so we left. We took the 2 hour bus and then got in the back of a pick up truck (the local form of taxi) and began the half hour journey through the fields to the sanctury. An enjoyable journey despite the rattling around, nevertheless we were looking forward to seeing all the animals. Sadly it was not to be. we were confronted by one of th rudest men I have met yet, who informed us, we should have rung, he was much too busy to show us round, thre was nothing to do nearby and told our 'taxi' driver to take us back! Great! A worthwhile visit.

So we haded back to Quito, for the cable cars which take you up into the clouds. We got to the top all excited about the views, and headed for a bite to eat. Sadly the views were gone by the time we had finishd, and all we could see was clouds. Then the rain came. And the thunder. We returned back to the hostel very wet and cold, and decided it was probably safer if we just stayed there! At  least until we ahad had dinnr and a few glasses of red - then Patrice, Rick, Sam, Helen, Katie, Myles and I all went to Reine Victoria, and then on to Bungalo 6. A great night was had by all!

Spent the next day recovering and at the local spa -very relaxing and just what we needed after all the stress of the previous day. Returned to the bar for our last chilled out evening on the terrace.

For more pics, go to: http://www.flickr.com /photos/miketong/sets /72157594359109009/