Well we survived the flights courtesy of American Airlines films and games on the seat backs. US immigration was a breeze - you get the quick route through with kids - and the friendly officials too, and 2 hours in Miami airport was good for people watching.

Quito airport is akin to Luton airport 15 years ago so, although it was late for us (3.30am) and we were all really tired, getting out into the cold and rainy Quito evening was quite easy.

Quito is a city of 3million people, its very noisy with lots of traffic polution. It's not a city to go exploring on foot and apart from the old town there's not much to see. Finn has been a bit concerned with the number of guards and police in bulletproof vests with guns at the entrances to banks, hotels, museums, in fact most buildings.