After an unsuccessful hunt for the huge red Quito sign we headed to old town. We climbed the stairs in the huge basilica to lookout over the stone church and pretty stained glass windows. Another flight of stairs higher we walked across a rickety bridge above the church to very steep steps to a lookout over Quito. Around the corner were two more ladder-style flights to climb without much underneath! Holding on extremely tight with shaking hands we somehow made it to the top of the pretty tower. After the white knuckled climb back down we watched dancers outside doing entertaining traditional dancing in costume. We visited Ecuador's most beautiful church which every inch was covered gold. After exploring old town and soaking up the culture in the square we found ourselves a sunny spot to enjoy jug of sangria.
In the evening we met our new tour group of 14, 4 going all the way to Rio with us and more to join in 3 weeks in Lima. Our tour guide and truck driver a great easy going couple from America and we got to know everyone over drinks and dinner. Was great to meet lots of people similar age from UK, Australia, South Africa and Germany - should be a fun tour!