Day 24. Sunday 22 September. Mindo to Quito. Approx 60miles.

Our accommodation, as Jen said yesterday, was in the home of a Syrian/Ecuadorian couple and had a distinct Middle Eastern flavour. Syrian music playing and friends visiting. On returning from our meal in Poki last night, one of the guests had a tiny monkey sitting on his head. Breakfast this morning was communal in their kitchen. There was a lovely atmosphere and the breakfast was… different but enjoyable.

We shared it with a young couple from Quito and had fun hearing of their family history in arriving in Ecuador. Paula or (Polly) and Andreas both had ancestors from outside South America. Polly from France and Germany and Andreas from Lebanon.

Mindo.

It’s an interesting town. Not at all upmarket but popular with Quito residents who seem to make the weekend pilgrimage in droves. There are white water rafting and zip lines to entertain. No matter where you go in this part of the world there are hills. Very little flat ground, so gear changing is constant.

The hummingbird is a symbol of the Cloud Forest.

The Spanish family were parking their camper in Mindo, so we had a quick catch-up with them before enjoying a Pinia (pineapple thickshake) in a cafe and watched the world go by for a half hour, before heading back to Quito and Coda Vista campsite.

Prep for Galapagos

It’s a 4.30am start tomorrow morning so we have opted not to erect the Caranex. That means we have very little space to store bedding and get dressed in the morning. Still, we’ve done it before when it’s too wet or late to put it up. The flight departs at 7.50am. Stopping over in Guayaquil for an hour will make it about a 3 hour flight, plus an hour time difference.

Peter and Anita, the Swiss couple we met at Sommerwind camp, arrived this afternoon at Coda Vista. It was great to catch up with them again. There is also French/Moroccan couple with two teenagers travelling south too, in their Iveco camper.

We have no idea of what wifi will be available on the Galapagos, so posting new entry’s and adding photo’s may be challenging?

Clouds are building over Quito and the long awaited rain can’t be far away. Cotopaxi has snow on its flanks and crown. Yes, it’s colder here too. I didn’t sleep so well in the hotel last night. It’s seems to be a world wide thing, thick duvets, no matter what the climate!

Rugby

The All Blacks scraped in against Australia. 31 – 28. Spending the last 10 minutes or so with 13 men. Referees are ruining the game. Or probably more accurately, the administrators. Sending players off for minor infringements is a nonsense and ruins the game. A penalty would be a far better outcome unless of course, intentional violence is involved.
Very interestingly, Argentina beat the Boks 29 – 28. Argentina are playing some scintillating rugby and it’s great to see for the game.

In the “Ladies” game, France beat NZ by 18 – 17. A similar margin we beat them in 2022.

Only one photo today. I’m not getting on so well with the big camera. So much kerfuffle to take a photo, though the quality of the picture is superior. That does not mean the composition is changed…☹️. The above photo was taken on Jen’s phone. Let’s hope I can get some good shots in Galapagos.

Couldn’t resist putting this in. 😂

Today’s Inspirational Quote:

“The best way to teach your kids about taxes is by eating 30 percent of their ice cream.” 

~ Bill Murray

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