The altitude here in Equador has a definite effect on the body. In Quito we are at about 2800 metres which is about 9000 feet - a shade under two miles above sea level. Even going up steps and walking around leaves you a bit breathless. You have to really concentrate on breathing in as deeply as you can to maximise oxygen intake.Today was a trip back past the airport and up into the Andes to a place called Papallacta where there are geothermal springs and a...

The phone rang this morning at 2.30.....What is Spanish for ' b***** off, you've got the wrong room'?I woke up again at 6am and decided that I may as well get up so that I could get my room changed and also sort out my missing trip which is supposed to be at 9am this morning. The tour office doesn't open until 8.30 so this could be tight!First stop, the lobby. No joy there .... yet. The hotel is full and they can't move me until after 10am...

This was always going to be a boring day! Travelling days always are. The bed was really comfortable but I managed to develop a bad headache overnight, so didn't sleep that well. Breakfast was a vastly better experience than last night's fiasco!  It was a buffet, so I had a made to order omelette with no cheese, which caused some raised eyebrows from the chef! The fresh fruit was outstanding -  strawberries,  sweet pineapple and three sorts ...

Well Hi everyone, here goes Captain Slog, the intrepid traveller, setting out on yet another voyage into the deep unknown! Well, not exactly unknown...... not exactly deep either but definitely a bit different this time.There was a touch of deja vu yesterday as my lovely Wendy drove me so safely to Heathrow. She is such a good driver, bless her. I was to stay the night at the T5 Travelodge, which is the cheapest hotel by miles in the area. I paid £19 for ...

CAPTAIN SLOG 83.13Up with the seagull's fart this morning! I had tried to order brekkie in the cabin but there was no service this morning.I decided to hit the buffet before the rush at 6.30 am. So did everyone else.I had to be at my gathering point by 8am so it was a little hectic. We were already docked in Port Everglades, the deck was wet, so it had rained at some point, and it was very warm and muggy.With a final look round I said goodbye to 7157 and...