We got up early so that we could have our option 2 breakfast before our transfer arrived.

We’d been liaising with Flightcentre to get the transfer changed to the correct airport but neither we, nor apparently they had any response from the company. We were not surprised when 8.10am came and went so called an Uber and got to the correct airport in plenty of time. It was chaotic actually getting to where the driver could drop us off but it was chaos for everyone.

We checked in easily enough and didn’t have to wait too long at the gate. We were a bit anxious that there were no ATMs that would give us $US but hoped that would be sorted in Panama City. The local currency in Equador is $US and we need it to pay tips and any drinks on the boat. They don’t let you drink your own so I guess our second bottle of Malbec is coming home with us. Good thing we bought a decent one!

The flight was good. Considering it was 7 hours long it all happened quite quickly. It was fun watching progress on google maps and looking down on the countries. Most of northern Argentina is flat, flat, flat. Bolivia and Peru were hilly and you couldn’t see the Amazon or any of Brazil for cloud. Makes sense given it’s a rain forest. The food was ok. A bun, salad and beef stew with rice just after leaving BA then a heated roast chicken ciabatta roll coming into Panama City. I got through 2 movies completely and most of another.

Panama City is full of skyscrapers and you get a good view from the air – not what I’d envisioned at all.

We have a 2 hour stopover then on to Quito. It’s 27C In Panama City and a balmy 13C (with thunderstorms) in Quito. We don’t have a gate or terminal for our next flight but hopefully that will remedy itself before we need to panic.

Quito

We managed to find an ATM at Panama City Airport and got out $US. That is also the currency in Panama. The gate number came up on the screen at about the same time the plane started to board so not much hanging around. We all had to get on a bus and board the plane at the back of the furthest runway and I was not thrilled that it was just a 737. However it went well enough. The flight was only 2 hours and they managed to feed us a sandwich or pizza pocket and drink. No movies. Unfortunately Mike had left his trusty German hat on the plane from BA. We come back through Panama City so we’ll check the lost and found.

Quito is 2,800m above sea level and surrounded by hills. It was dark when we arrived and the lights seem to go on forever (9pm when we landed). Evidently the city is long and narrow, being in a valley wedged between hills. The airport is new and flash. I love the fish tanks in the terminal columns (they are movies). The whole process of customs and immigration couldn’t have been smoother and we had a guide to meet us in the terminal. He explained quite a bit about the country and city along the 40 minute ride. You go from one valley where the airport is through this huge tunnel to Quito itself.

We are staying at the Hotel Cartuja. It is quite old but seems to have a nice courtyard and the room is quite large and comfortable. It reminds Mike a bit of India and me a bit of Kenya. Kind of colonial but solid.

We have the day in Quito tomorrow then have a group meeting at 5pm and off early the following day – we will miss both rugby games assuming the All Blacks advance!