Equador

After one night in Quito we transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapgos Islands. We had to leave most of our luggage behind at the hotel in Quito and we had transfered what we would need for our one week long cruise round the islands into one bag. At the airport we were given strict instructions what were were and were not allowed to take and told about the serious consequences of breaking the rules. Under no circumstances were we to take any fruit.

We arrived in Quito as the locals were celebrating the decision to build a new airport. Having just arrived and seen how close to many homes the old airport was as we touched down with gardens and washing lines on both sides I could understand their joy, but the one overwhelming memory I have of my brief time in Quito was the polution. Exhaust fumes created a yellow smog and I found it seriously unpleasant to breathe and it was only a matter of minutes before I developed a headache.