Happy and relieved to be out of the ash filled air of Banos our next stop is Quito the capital of Ecuador. It was a little strange to be using US dollars when not in the US but after 'dollarisation' in 1999 Ecuador had adopted the dollar replacing the sucre. They use the american notes but mint their own versions of the coins which are made from the same materials and are the same size of the US equivalents but they stamp the coins with their own national figures.

We arrive and it's Helena birthday and we go out to a recommended Mexican restaurant for dinner and pina coladas. The meal is great and very big leaving no room for a 3rd pina colada.

The next day is sunday and after being woken just after 7am with music and speeches in a nearby park we set off for a wander around the city. Loosely heading for La Basilica del Voto Nacional. Unbeknown to us it is election day tomorrow (Monday) and there are what appears to be political rallies walking, dancing and chanting there way through the quiet Sunday streets. There is a "Si" party and further on we see the "No" party too. Conscious of our previous political experiences in South America we give these guys a wide berth and eventually arrive at La Basilica. This gothic style Roman Catholic church sits on the side of a gentle hill, protected by gargoyles depicting the Ecuadorian fauna. Turtles, birds, lizards and big cats helping to keep the bad spirits at bay.

We buy our tickets and head up the stairs to the first landings and look down on to what appears to be a service of some description. The stain glass windows are amazing and there are a couple of circular windows similar to those at Notre Dame. Further up the towers we come to the wooden bridge we'd heard about. The walkway takes you the full length of the church's roof underneath the eaves but above the ceiling of the main hall. At the end after a ladder climb you have a great view of the city. There is a further climb up some dubious steps to the top of the tower which I take on my own leaving Helena to nervously take in the view.

Back across the bridge we head up to the top of one of the bell towers. First a spiral staircase then wrought iron ladders bring you to a view in the other direction. Below the rallies are passing the church with their colourful flags, banner, instruments and singing.