Arrived in Quito. With bike in box. Met Jorgen, our guide, an energetic and enthusiastic fella of Swedish origin who’s been living in Ecuador for the last 30 years. Met Jennie at the hotel – the very fancy hotel – ie stilettos were definitely more common than crocs or runners. We did some re-organizing of our luggage, admired and then ignored the huge hotel gym, and gave the hotel staff our extra bags (including my bike in its box) to keep safe until we return to the mainland.  We ate supper at a restaurant around the corner from the hotel. Jeannie had pork in a peanut sauce and I tried cuy (guinea pig – which was quite delicious rolled and breaded and fried. Both meals came with a cooked sweet potato medley, fresh vegetable salad, and a corn and potato mash – and were garnished with edible flowers and artful swishes of sauce. Unfortunately I was too hungry and forgot to take pictures.

We also learned that there will be two other people in our tour group for the Galapagos. Great!

Felicity