Arrived in Quito expecting freezing temperatures due to the altitude (3,000m+) and mayhem at the airport, only to find the airport tiny and empty and the temperature well into the 20's!

The airport is right in the middle of the city, its completely mad to go into land and be able to see into office and tower blocks! We got a cab straight to our hotel and went for a wander round the new town. We were surprised to see numerous armed police patrolling the streets with bullet proof vests, but assumed this was normal. However we got dragged into a nearby cafe by and American lady who told us something was about to kick off and that we should take cover for a while. You'll be pleased to know that nothing happened and it all calmed down fairly quickly, allegedly some big criminal was rumoured to be in town!!!!

Saturday we visited the old town which really has lovely colonial buildings, but the highlight of the day was heading up El Panecillo to the Virgin of Quito statue for stunning views across the city, albeit the taxi ride up and back was a bit hairy - dead dogs in the street, homies hanging out on street corners and proper poverty. Our taxi driver took it upon himself to lock the doors when we stopped in traffic and at traffic lights! So we decided it was best to have a few drinks that night to settle the nerves - we're obviously still a bit wet behind the ears with this travelling business.

Sunday was been spent moving to our first hostel closer to the centre and doing laundry - all really quite exciting for the first time! In the afternoon we decided to go up our first volcano. Not as ambitious as it sounds as a French built cable car whisks you the kilometer and half up to the top from the city outskirts. Once up there though the views are amazing and when the clouds cleared a little we could see the snowy peaks of Cayambe and Cotopaxi volcanoes in the distance - awe inspiring to say the least. Spent a good few hours hiking around the top of the volcano, don't under estimate the thiness of the air at 4,500m it's a killer going up even a small incline. The Alps are a piece of cake in comparison.

Back to the bottom of the cable car and into the fun fair built on the side of the volcano - as you do. Swiftly invalidated our insurance by having a go on the go kart track. Dodgiest go karts we've ever experieinced, brakes seem to be an afterthought. It was a laugh all the same!

Next stop is Cayambe and hopefully a stay at Ecuadors oldest Hacienda! Emma is totally over excited that she might at last get on the back of a horse, and we are both really looking forward to getting out of the cities and starting some proper travelling!