Walking in the Clouds in Quito

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, sits atop the Andes mountains in a bowl formed by a ring of volcanoes. At nearly 9,000 feet above sea level it is one of the highest capitals in the world and not a good place for anyone worried about altitude sickness. If the city isn't high enough, you can always climb to the top of the bell tower of the Basilica Voto Nacional...

The climb up the outside of the tower on rickety steel ladders is not for the faint-hearted, but is well rewarded with great views of the surrounding old colonial city as well as the Basilica's two clock towers (both showing the wrong time)...

For a wider vista of this grand city at the top of the world you need to take the cable car - the teleferico - up into the surrounding mountains...

The ride up the cable car takes your breath away in more ways than one. The views of the city far below are spectacular, but the lack of oxygen above 12,000 feet is initially quite dizzying. We soon caught our breath and took in the panorama of volcanoes including the still active snow-capped peak of Cotopaxi. Thanks to technology you can join us as we take the 18 minute ride back down to earth...

Quito is a bustling city where the traffic has been pushed out by pedestrian friendly cobblestone streets and where families can enjoy the many plazas and parks in the warm sunshine. This is the main plaza in front of the palace...

Quito's lofty perch ensures that it frequently has its head in the clouds but we have been lucky for the past couple of days. We, for the Ecuador leg of of this trip to the end of the world in Patagonia, means James and his son. Here is Ian tucking into a hearty lunch of fish, chips, salad and beer - total cost four dollars in Quito city centre...

Tomorrow we leave for the Galapagos Islands to swim with the sharks and re-visit the giant tortoises - Hasta la vista from Quito, Ecuador.