Flew to Quito via Guiyaquil. We spent a few hours at Guiyaquil airport during stopover – lovely – it was tropically warm, and the newly built airport included a massive koi carp lake, surrounded by trees – saw lots of interesting birdlife, right by the airport. Had lunch at café, outside overlooking banana trees and other lush vegetation. Then flew to Quito, and checked into Hotel Catedral in Colonial district. Hotel of the old school, which suits me. Ventured out, but not too far, on the advice of the concierge (for security reasons) but found the most gorgeous restaurant – La Vista Hermosa, full of antiques and curios. After eating enough for ten – I can’t resist a plate of good food – climbed the stairs to look at the view including the beautiful Basilica. [Great difficulty going back up the hill, partly due to the altitude.P]
That night, discovered that our room was placed to provide a nightmare night of no sleep – traffic and car horns, and a security light opposite, combined with ill-fitting French doors onto a Juliet balcony meant no sleep, despite ear plugs. At 2am, some sort of ritualistic rhythmic banging on an Oil drum or similar, which started off the same noise from surrounding streets, defeated the earplugs. This was repeated at 5am. Staggered to breakfast and begged a quieter room at the back. Having started our trip over-tired and needing rest, neither of us feel any benefit yet, despite having seen some interesting things. There have been times when a week in Bognor was looking like a better alternative.
P & J x
No comments:
Post a Comment