The altitude here in Equador has a definite effect on the body. In Quito we are at about 2800 metres which is about 9000 feet - a shade under two miles above sea level. Even going up steps and walking around leaves you a bit breathless. You have to really concentrate on breathing in as deeply as you can to maximise oxygen intake.Today was a trip back past the airport and up into the Andes to a place called Papallacta where there are geothermal springs and a...

The phone rang this morning at 2.30.....What is Spanish for ' b***** off, you've got the wrong room'?I woke up again at 6am and decided that I may as well get up so that I could get my room changed and also sort out my missing trip which is supposed to be at 9am this morning. The tour office doesn't open until 8.30 so this could be tight!First stop, the lobby. No joy there .... yet. The hotel is full and they can't move me until after 10am...

This was always going to be a boring day! Travelling days always are. The bed was really comfortable but I managed to develop a bad headache overnight, so didn't sleep that well. Breakfast was a vastly better experience than last night's fiasco!  It was a buffet, so I had a made to order omelette with no cheese, which caused some raised eyebrows from the chef! The fresh fruit was outstanding -  strawberries,  sweet pineapple and three sorts ...