Quito in Ecuador is the highest capital in the world at 2,850m/ 9,350ft and certainly took some getting used to with its steep streets. I'll be the first to admit we're not fit but two flights of stairs from the garage had us both wheezing like asthmatics. I found a really nice apartment in the historic centre and we walked miles.
There were so many old churches that by the end of the week Mark was quite happy sitting outside while I went investigating. Here are just a few:
We went up to the lookout, El Panecillo and at 3,035m/ 9,960ft had a great view of the city below and Cotopaxi volcano in the distance
On September 22nd (the equinox), we visited Mitad del Mundo or the middle of the world (see Mark's blog post). The monument is 9 stories high and has museum exhibits on each floor. It was interesting to read about the indigenous people of each region as we made our way down.
After a week in Quito it was time to leave and head west to the coast. On the way, we drove up to Lake Quilatoa, a crater lake or caldera 250m/820ft deep atop an active volcano.
At 3,914m/ 12,841ft above sea level, this is the highest we've been since visiting the Mauna Kea observatories in Hawaii - 4,205m /13,800ft.
It was nice to paddle in the South Pacific once more in the town of Montanito. And of course, being back down at sea level we felt superhuman, well for about 5 minutes anyway. Tomorrow we head back inland to the Andes mountains again.
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