Strange things happen at the equator.... Quito gets its name from the Quitu people who were in residence in the area long before the Incas (so we're talking a long time ago). The name literally means middle of the earth. They knew well back then that the earth was round and that they were in the middle of it! They used each solstice (in March and September) to plant or harvest their crops and they knew that they had 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness ...

Conversations with sea lions..... Many years ago I sat in a highschool science classroom, my head full of giant tortoises, finches and Darwin. Ever since then I have wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands. They have certainly lived up to my expectations. The journey began on San Cristobal Island. Our guide (Danny) took us down to the sea front for a walk to the interpretation centre and within minutes there were cries of delight and wonderment. Lazing on the doo...