Hello all, it is 6 am Equador time and I can't sleep. Jet lag means I am a boring sleepy cow in the evening and then full of beans at 5 am. Haha. So thought I would do a quick blog.

Arrived safe and sound at 1 am to Hotel Majestic (LOL) in Quito. Flights were interesting.. First flight was delayed so missed all 3 connecting flights but Super mum and her sidekick Dadman came to the rescue. Thank you! They booked me up and on to other flights and I was on my way. Plane food was predictably quite bad, but I kept the fanta limons coming to combat the taste (wild hey?!). Totally amazing view coming into Lima. Never seen to many meanders and oxbow lakes (a level geog ha) in my life along Amazon river, then stunning scenery when flying over Andes. So beautiful.

On Sat went round Quito old town checking out the buildings and churches. In one of the churches we were able to climb up to the top towers and oh my goodness I was scared. Health and safety would NEVER EVER allow it. Tiny ladders, no netting, ridiculous heights. It got my heart going a little faster! Also went to amazing amaZing church- interior totally gold. Beautiful!

Yesterday, after meeting my lovely lovely tour group, we travelled to Otavalo, where I am now. On the way we stopped at the middle of the world, highest point on the equator. Yesterday was also the September equinox which meant that the sun was perfectly aligned with the equator all day- pretty special stuff. Then we went to the markets at otavalo, so tempted to buy everything. Then we went to a massive waterfall near the base of a volcano. Otavalo is surrounded by 3 volcanos. The scenery is awesome.

Today we are off to the Amazon jungle for 3 days- trekking, waterfall and gorge walking, animal sanctuary, rafting down river. Can't wait!!!

Spanish is v rusty by whole group which means a lot of sign language but we are getting on just fine :) Lots of love UK xxxxx