It was an early start today for me, with a 9.30 am flight out of Coca and a 2+ hour motorised canoe trip down river this meant that by 6.00 am I was packed, downed a quick coffee, goodbyes said, breakfast package collected and into a vehicle for the short trip to the river and ready to go.

I know I have commented on it a bit, but I have had a delightful stay at Yachana and am extremely impressed with what Douglas and his team have happening here in the upper reaches of the jungle, both from the perspective of giving the local communities the sort of education and support that enhances their lives and encourages them to stay connected, as well as providing the innovative training and sustainable living practices that are meaningful in this type of community. I hope that I can keep in touch with the project and revisit in the not too far distant future.

Despite the light rain that was falling when I left, everything went smoothly and we (just the boat captain, the 'other guide' Kevin and I) were off for the speedy down-river trip.

The 'canoe' ride was exhilarating to say the least - a bit soggy and gloomy to start with but gradually the rain eased and the sun peeped through the clouds while the river bank sped by. While much of the vegetation edging the river was the same most of the time, there was plenty to see. The river twists and turns continually and clearly the skills of Rodriquez (the captain) made easy work of what looked to be sometimes a tricky mixture of channels, islands, obstacles (trees lodged mid-stream), shallow bits and turbulent bits. My pics show some of the landscape, without doing the beauty and enormity of the river justice. A serious photographer would do well, though our speed made it difficult sometimes.

Notable points were what seemed to be an oil rig (I mentioned the local industry in my entry when I arrived in Coca 3 days (but feels much longer) ago, a billboard that I could not read but which I feared might be the sign of an incongruous development here in the jungle, fishermen, what I took to be a group of school children (in uniform) on the bank waiting for a lift to school maybe, a punt (which reminded me of crossing the Clyde at Nelligen all those years ago) and all too soon the huge bridge at Coca.

Once the canoe pulled into the dock Kevin had my bag and I out and waiting for our taxi, then off to the airport (not far). Noticing the hustle and bustle of Coca compared with the past few days of calm and quiet, I can't imagine what a culture shock it is for some of the remote community members when / if they venture into Coca, let alone a major city like Quito!

Once at the airport it was very smooth - farewell Kevin and about half an hour later I was in the air and on my way to Quito in what seemed a very new, roomy and relatively empty Aviaca plane. The flight was a straight forward 30 minutes mostly in the clouds and when we were nearly at Quito snow capped mountain popped up above the clouds, just before we stared our descent - my pic shows how close it was - and it wasn't far down through the clouds to Quito which is quite high.

The angle of this descent and the approach meant that I noticed many steep mountains around the airport that I hadn't seen in my 2 previous descents and made me think that a major part of the top of one hill must have been shaved off to make this new airport, and hence the very windy (I mean twisty, not blowy) long-ish trip into Quito. I settled into the taxi ride with Mental as Anything in recognition of the last few hours of Australia Day (and as an aside - in the news today re the Australia Day awards I must say I was very pleased to see so many women recognised).

Once at my hotel - the Sierra Madre t) at 11 am I was told that check in time is at 2pm and my room would not be available till then, even though I leave at 5am and miss the inclusive breakfast - I bet they don't offer to pack me one like Yachana did :(

This hotel is quite a different style and class to my twice previous and ultra modern Hotel Le Parc - this one is a older Spanish hacienda-style hotel and while it is well located close to the Central Park area where I visited the cultural museum not long ago, and an area that is all fine during the day, but I was warned not to venture out alone at night. See later my comments but all my overall impression is that it is a bit if an Ecuadorian 'Fawlty Towers' and I won't have it on my 'must visit again' list.

So with a few hours to kill I dropped my bag and headed out to the local (very touristy) market area, selling fairly predictable souvenirs / wares. Still, I was able to stock up on a few things to take home, refuel on coffee and lunch and even find a spot for a pedicure, before heading back to my hotel to make peace with my luggage before loading it up again.

On the way I did notice some buildings I hadn't seen before (see some pics) and kept catching glimpses of the mountain which I went up in the cable car on my first first day, which except for my first day seems to have been shrouded in clouds while the and the weather has been overcast.

By the time I got back to the hotel my room was well and truly ready and my carry-on, which I had not taken on an Amazon adventure, was waiting for me thanks to the good will of the Intrepid contact Eduardo. After waiting 10 mins I got hot water and took today's first shower, aired my clothes which were a bit soggy after the canoe ride and headed down to the lobby to check emails and download photos because the hotel wi fi isn't so hot on the third floor. Not that I am meaning to sound like I am complaining, but as there is no lift and the stairs are wooden, here's hoping my 5am departure doesn't wake too many people!

Now it's time to see if I can find some dinner and wine in-house, and it's time to post this so I can have an early night before heading back to Chile tomorrow.

JC