Our journey from Mindo was delayed due to locals protesting water shortages by blocking the road. Our taxi knew before we left so we didn’t leave. We did have to go through several military and police checkpoints on the road.
We have spent our first full day in Quito site seeing. This morning we took a free walking tour with a local. The country has very few tourists at the moment - the tour had one person plus us two - before the current crisis they would have 20-40. We see very few European or American tourists here.
Then this afternoon we visited some churches including climbing the towers. Here we felt the altitude (2850m) climbing the 200 steps. The views over the city were good. Then we went up the hill with the largest aluminium sculpture on top - the Virgin Mary - overlooking the city. Well more accurately overlooking the rich part of the city. She has her back to the poorer districts!
The city is a UNESCO world heritage site partly for the architecture but also the human traditions which are a melting pot of different indigenous groups.
Tomorrow if the weather is good we plan to take the cable car to 3,945m and then do some birdwatching and a hike possibly to a new altitude record of 4680m.Read more
EcuadorQuebrada de la Cantera0°13’14” S 78°30’39” W
EcuadorQuebrada de la Cantera0°13’14” S 78°30’39” W